Results 2,261-2,280 of 4,773 for speaker:Paudie Coffey

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Sustainability of Post Office Network: Irish Postmasters Union (26 Feb 2014)

Paudie Coffey: We have this on the record. I apologise for interrupting, but ten minutes were allocated and we are over 17 minutes at this stage and I am anxious to let members interact with Mr. McGann.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Sustainability of Post Office Network: Irish Postmasters Union (26 Feb 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I thank Mr. McGann. I call Deputy Dooley.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Sustainability of Post Office Network: Irish Postmasters Union (26 Feb 2014)

Paudie Coffey: Before I call Deputy O'Donovan I acknowledge the call for Government action which has been well sounded here this morning. Even the motions have been spoken about it, on the political front. I ask the union to tell me the tangible efforts that An Post is making to attract new business. For example, AIB does some business through the network but other banking outlets around the country are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Sustainability of Post Office Network: Irish Postmasters Union (26 Feb 2014)

Paudie Coffey: Yes. There is no doubt that the alarm bells are ringing and I want to commend the Irish Postmasters Union. The union's political actions are raising public awareness, as is the fact that this committee is also engaged. I have met Mr. McGann previously and he knows my experience of this. I witnessed the closure of Kill post office in County Waterford, which An Post handled very badly by...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Sustainability of Post Office Network: Irish Postmasters Union (26 Feb 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I welcome the fact that representatives from An Post will be invited to come before the committee to respond to members' queries and also to some of the issues raised by the delegation. In light of the commitment contained in the programme for Government and that provided by the Minister last night to the effect that a Cabinet sub-committee will review this matter, I am of the view that he...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals (6 Mar 2014)

Paudie Coffey: 97. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Waterford was not awarded domiciliary care allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11225/14]

Gateway Scheme: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (12 Mar 2014)

Paudie Coffey: We have experienced the worst economic crisis in the history of the country which happened under Fianna Fáil-led Governments driving policies that promoted the property bubble and drove our economy onto the rocks. In 2011, when this Government took office, 1,600 jobs were being lost every week. After much focus and progress, 1,200 jobs a week are being created but we still have more to...

Gateway Scheme: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (12 Mar 2014)

Paudie Coffey: You have them on it in the North.

Gateway Scheme: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (12 Mar 2014)

Paudie Coffey: Trading in misery.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness (Vehicles Testing) (No. 2) Regulations 2013: Discussion (12 Mar 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I welcome the delegates and express my sympathy for the position in which they find themselves. I am aware that they are enthusiasts and of the work of the two associations. It is our responsibility to challenge the thinking. I feel a little like Senator Eamonn Coghlan that there was an element of self-certification. I am also aware that to be a member of the associations one has to be an...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Sustainability of Post Office Network: An Post (12 Mar 2014)

Paudie Coffey: Before we start, I would like to ask a question and I mean no disrespect to the delegation in asking it. Is there any reason the CEO of An Post is not before the committee today?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Sustainability of Post Office Network: An Post (12 Mar 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I welcome Mr. John Daly and Mr. Liam Sheehan to the committee. This is an important engagement following the debate last week. They will have heard there is genuine concern among stakeholders in regard to the future of the post office network. I am not one for scaremongering but I believe we must listen when alarm bells are ringing. The online environment alone represents a challenge. I...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Sustainability of Post Office Network: An Post (12 Mar 2014)

Paudie Coffey: Much of what Deputy Healy-Rae says is right, but 200 post offices were closed when his father supported the previous Government, and since this Government came into office fewer than 20 have been closed. That is important.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Sustainability of Post Office Network: An Post (12 Mar 2014)

Paudie Coffey: The Deputy has got the message.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Sustainability of Post Office Network: An Post (12 Mar 2014)

Paudie Coffey: Two hundred closed when the Deputy’s father was supporting the previous Government.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Sustainability of Post Office Network: An Post (12 Mar 2014)

Paudie Coffey: The Deputy already did that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Sustainability of Post Office Network: An Post (12 Mar 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I have more experience than Deputy Healy-Rae thinks.

Government's Priorities for the Year Ahead: Statements (Resumed) (13 Mar 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I welcome the opportunity to make a contribution on this topic. It is a pity that the Opposition has chosen to vacate the Chamber and not to engage with the Government. Fianna Fáil should listen and learn from its mistakes and the damage it has done to this country.

Government's Priorities for the Year Ahead: Statements (Resumed) (13 Mar 2014)

Paudie Coffey: In February 2011, when this Government took office, the deficit of €20 billion was lumbered on the backs of the Irish people. The country was haemorrhaging 1,600 jobs per week, our international reputation was in tatters and our economic sovereignty was lost. A total of 460,000 people were unemployed, existing businesses were struggling and losing competitiveness, with debt levels...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Strategic Plan 2012-17 and Other Issues: RTE (26 Mar 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I welcome Mr. Curran and his team and thank them for their presentation. It is important that we continuously evaluate what RTE is delivering in terms of public service broadcasting. I am generally supportive of the content it delivers, which is often of a high quality. The Irish people acknowledge that quality, particularly in terms of its coverage of national events and national and...