Results 221-240 of 371 for speaker:Michael Conaghan

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Report on Access to Finance for SMEs: InterTradeIreland (25 Mar 2014)

Michael Conaghan: Its economy did not collapse, though.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Role and Functions: Personal Injuries Assessment Board (1 Apr 2014)

Michael Conaghan: This is a very impressive success story, which is not told enough publicly.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Role and Functions: Personal Injuries Assessment Board (1 Apr 2014)

Michael Conaghan: It needs to get out beyond rather isolated institutions like this. One does not now hear the word “compo” and other clichés. The PIAB has transformed a significant sector of legitimate public interest, which is saving the State a lot of money.

Social Housing and Homelessness Policy: Statements (Resumed) (3 Apr 2014)

Michael Conaghan: There are queues forming. These are not queues of people waiting to attend concerts, rather they are of young families waiting for houses which they can turn into homes. This is heartbreaking because the queues are not moving. As someone who has been interested in the issue of social housing for a long time it is important to put in context why this is happening. The context can only be...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Investment Commitments to SME Sector: National Treasury Management Agency (8 Apr 2014)

Michael Conaghan: I have a very general question. Whether one is borrowing or lending, confidence in the economy is a significant consideration. Confidence is an illusive entity or a variable, but in terms of the witnesses' experience and skills in measuring what is currently going on, are there high levels of confidence in the economic recovery? From their work and their contacts with people coming to...

White Paper on Universal Health Insurance: Statements (Resumed) (17 Apr 2014)

Michael Conaghan: Our system of health care is frequently described as a two-tier system in which ability to pay, rather than medical need, is a deciding factor. Such arrangements do not reflect our better side as Irish people and as human beings. We are instinctively caring and compassionate. Our institutions should reflect these instincts and values, and that should particularly be the case where vital...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Proposed Police Authority (30 Apr 2014)

Michael Conaghan: 13. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of best practice in other jurisdictions and to enhance transparency and accountability in our policing infrastructure if he will consider establishing a policing board as a matter of urgency. [19070/14]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Access to Finance for SMEs: Discussion (Resumed) (27 May 2014)

Michael Conaghan: How does this segment of economic activity here compare with other countries? In broad, general terms, are there similar patterns? Can we learn from the experience in other countries? Are we perhaps ahead of them?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Access to Finance for SMEs: Discussion (Resumed) (27 May 2014)

Michael Conaghan: I will not introduce another rant.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Access to Finance for SMEs: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Jun 2014)

Michael Conaghan: The Irish public owe a debt of gratitude to the credit union movement. One never sees prestigious awards and so on being made to credit unions. Credit unions provide a great service for people who are not used to or are fearful of banks. I am a member of a credit union. Our economic environment has changed. While I am sure that up to now credit unions were on a steady path, were trusted...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Access to Finance for SMEs: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Jun 2014)

Michael Conaghan: I would welcome a response on whether there is a debate within the credit union movement in regard to its past and future role.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Access to Finance for SMEs: Discussion with Dublin Business and Innovation Centre. (5 Jun 2014)

Michael Conaghan: It strikes me that while those of us in Dáil Éireann are very aware of various enterprise-support initiatives, the public is unaware of the significant effort that is going into such initiatives. Much of the effort is not paid for in the sense of people being called upon at all times of the day and night. The public ought to know more about this kind of work because it is both...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Access to Finance for SMEs: Discussion with Dublin Business and Innovation Centre. (5 Jun 2014)

Michael Conaghan: Is BIC based in Thomas Street?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: European Commission Country Specific Recommendations: Discussion (10 Jun 2014)

Michael Conaghan: I welcome the Minister and the senior staff from the Department. How does the content and tone of our ten country-specific recommendations, CSRs, compare or contrast with those in other countries in Europe, for example, the economically troubled countries in southern Europe, such as Italy, Portugal and Spain, and the more economically stable countries in northern Europe? Where do we sit in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Employment Permits (Amendment) Bill 2014: Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (10 Jun 2014)

Michael Conaghan: I welcome the delegation. I have been here for only a few minutes but what I have heard is very disturbing. Are there other countries in Europe that might be worth studying in terms of dealing with some of the issues that we have heard about? Is there a way we can find out?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: EU Supports for SME Sector: European Commission (11 Jun 2014)

Michael Conaghan: I welcome our distinguished guest. Is it not the case that currently in Europe there is not a single economy? There are, for example, countries that were unaffected by the economic downturn and then there are countries that are struggling to recover from an economic downturn. Would Mr. Calleja Crespo not expect two different sets of advice for those economies, rather than a general...

Topical Issue Debate: Crime Levels (17 Jun 2014)

Michael Conaghan: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to address this matter. I would like to start by quoting a letter I sent to the former Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, on 29 August 2013.Dear Minister I wish to refer to gang slayings in the city. These are occurring with a regularity that now breeds acceptance. This is proof to the criminals who profit from these...

Topical Issue Debate: Crime Levels (17 Jun 2014)

Michael Conaghan: I thank the Minister for her response which was very knowledgeable and informed. I am aware she has direct experience of visiting the area and has visited the school. People come from all over the country because of the innovations in the school and its comprehensive curriculum and orchestra. It is the one place in the city where children go to school with a schoolbag in one hand and a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Possible Reconfiguration of Schools: Archdiocese of Dublin (25 Jun 2014)

Michael Conaghan: I welcome the delegation and the parents from the De La Salle school. I have some experience of the matter under discussion and I met Ms McDonagh at her office. I have also exchanged telephone calls, letters and so on. What struck me in my first interface with the archdiocese was rather different from what I am hearing today. I remember making the statement that parents must be the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Possible Reconfiguration of Schools: Archdiocese of Dublin (25 Jun 2014)

Michael Conaghan: It makes no sense to close down the best and squash everyone into the inferior campus, and I do not mean in schools. I am talking in terms of physical space and the buildings, architecturally and physically. It is an insult to the people. Everyone in Ballyfermot is angry, and not just the parents, because this is a landmark building. It stands out and is a very attractive building and...