Results 2,361-2,380 of 7,146 for speaker:Darren O'Rourke

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Mental Health Services (2 Mar 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for selecting this issue for debate. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, for being here. In many HSE documents we see the mantra the "right care", the "right place", the "right time". In County Meath it does not happen. We are aware that there is an intent in acute services to close the ICU and emergency department at Our Lady's Hospital,...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Mental Health Services (2 Mar 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank the Minister of State for her reply. I will point to one line that the Minister of State did read into the record which is "I am assured by the HSE that the clearance is imminent and the day hospital will reopen as soon as possible". I ask the Minister of State to take a personal interest in that to ensure that it happens as quickly as possible and that the services returned to full...

National Driver Licence Service: Motion [Private Members] (2 Mar 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I welcome the opportunity to speak to this motion and I thank Deputy McNamara and the Independent Group for tabling it. Sinn Féin supports the motion, which raises some very important issues, particularly as they relate to inclusivity, State procurement and State priorities. Two weeks ago, in a response to a parliamentary question I tabled, and again today, the Minister has...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Schemes (1 Mar 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: 161. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will consider extending the 80% grant scheme in the National Retrofit Plan to include window and door replacement; if such a proposal was considered at any point for the new plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11104/22]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: North-South Interconnector (1 Mar 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: 160. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when he will publish the findings of the review into the North-South Interconnector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11099/22]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (1 Mar 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: 204. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the current waiting times for each NCT test centre in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11100/22]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (1 Mar 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: 205. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the current waiting times for a car driving test in each test centre; the number of persons waiting for a test in each test centre in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11101/22]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Licences (1 Mar 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: 223. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will extend the ten-year rule for taxis, recognising that most taxis were used considerably less than normal over the past two years due to the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11535/22]

Electricity Costs (Domestic Electricity Accounts) Emergency Measures Bill 2022: From the Seanad (2 Mar 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: We will not oppose either amendment. This is one occasion where we welcome the Government amendments. Sinn Féin had put forward a series of amendments on both Committee Stage and Report Stage in the Dáil that, I firmly believe, would have given the Government greater flexibility regarding the upper limits and would have meant we would not need primary legislation if we were to...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (2 Mar 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: 134. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way her Department determines the number of hours of care that need to be provided for a carer on a full-time basis under the rules for getting the carer's support grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11894/22]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Coast Guard Service (3 Mar 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: 1. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the steps taken to identify and resolve issues between volunteers and management at the Irish Coast Guard; the status of the reconstitution of the Doolin Coast Guard unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12311/22]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Coast Guard Service (3 Mar 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I ask the Minister of State the status of the steps taken to identify and resolve issues between volunteers and management of the Irish Coast Guard generally, and the status of the reconstitution of the Doolin Coast Guard unit.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Coast Guard Service (3 Mar 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: We have seen the Mulvey report, which identified a breakdown of mutual trust, respect and confidence. That was a real concern and still is, in many respects, because the Doolin unit has not yet been fully reconstituted. What is the volunteer complement at the moment, on an interim basis? How does it compare to the full capacity? Is the Minister of State satisfied that the interim...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Coast Guard Service (3 Mar 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: That is where I was going with my supplementary question. As the Minister of State is aware, much attention has been focused on cultural and operational difficulties within the Coast Guard. Indeed, committee members in particular, and people more broadly, have been contacted by volunteers and former volunteers about the issue. A dire picture has been painted. The Joint Oireachtas...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Haulage Industry (3 Mar 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: 3. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way that he is assisting the haulage sector with issues such as increasing fuel costs and the skills shortage in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12312/22]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Haulage Industry (3 Mar 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: In respect of the previous question, I ask the Minister of State that she afford an opportunity to the Irish Coast Guard Volunteers Representative Association to submit to that review of the CUAG. It would be helpful to take on board its perspective. In this question, I am asking the Minister of State how she is assisting the haulage sector with issues such as increasing fuel costs and the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Haulage Industry (3 Mar 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: The challenge here is clear. For hauliers, particularly small hauliers with several lorries on the road, the margins are squeezed unbelievably because of the increasing cost of fuel. What has the Government done in response? Based on the reply of the Minister of State, the answer is "Nothing". It has done nothing to respond to the runaway fuel prices. When I raised this with the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Haulage Industry (3 Mar 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: It is a matter of urgency at this stage. The ball is firmly in the Government's court in terms of coming up with solutions. The hauliers have put their hands up. They are crying out for support. The Minister of State mentioned the alternatively fuelled heavy-duty vehicle purchase grant scheme. Approximately 60 vehicles bought under that scheme are currently parked up because they are not...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Network (3 Mar 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: 29. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of submissions received for the all-island rail review; the next steps in this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12131/22]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Network (3 Mar 2022)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank the Minister for his response. There is a great opportunity here and we have made submissions to the overall rail review. The Joint Committee on Transport and Communications is looking at various aspects of this. I will mention two of these. The Minister has already discussed the western rail corridor, WRC, and some of the opportunity this presents. This is an ambition that needs...