Results 241-260 of 1,891 for speaker:Richard O'Donoghue

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2020: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (8 Dec 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: I am talking about a dispute being raised with a landlord after the notice period. Is it correct that when a tenant raises a dispute, the information must be brought back within five days and then they must contact MABS?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2020: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (8 Dec 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: On the issue of contacting MABS, I have sent many people who have fallen behind with rent payments to MABS to seek help. It has often happened that two or three weeks have passed before someone has been able to meet with them. In different counties, MABS is under different pressures. This is where I am going with my question. Mr. Lemass mentioned that only seven tenants have been referred...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2020: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (8 Dec 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: The Chair gave everyone else three or four minutes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2020: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (8 Dec 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: It will take me 30 seconds.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2020: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (8 Dec 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: We have just come out of level 5 restrictions, and people have been under the misimpression that they do not have to pay rent. I have been told by MABS that in the past two to three weeks, there has been an increase in the number of people contacting it, because of the misinterpretation of the information issued to tenants in respect of a rent freeze. Now that we have moved to level 3...

Mental Health Policy: Motion [Private Members] (9 Dec 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: Covid has shown us that mental health issues can arise as a result of people being lonely. Deputies Michael Collins and Mattie McGrath referred to this. Mental health issues in rural settings are on the increase because everything is closed. In the context of children and families, as Christmas approaches, drive-through Santa's grottoes are either being closed or cannot go ahead. What...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (9 Dec 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: When will the Taoiseach bring in an auditing service in respect of the management of hospitals? University Hospital Limerick has had the longest waiting list for beds for a long time. The latter was not caused by the staff at the hospital, this comes down to a management problem. I said on the first day I came to the Dáil that there is an issue with the management of and the structure...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Charitable and Voluntary Organisations (9 Dec 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: 191. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the restoration of salary cuts made in 2008 to section 39 workers in the remaining 250 organisations that have been affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42387/20]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Dental Services (9 Dec 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: 219. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the failure to publish a report on orthodontics by persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42388/20]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Dental Services (9 Dec 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: 220. To ask the Minister for Health if he will report on orthodontic appointments and anticipated wait times for 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42389/20]

Homeless Prevention Bill 2020: Second Stage [Private Members] (15 Dec 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: I welcome the introduction of this legislation by Sinn Féin. That party is trying to give dignity to those who are about to be evicted through no fault of their own. The Bill highlights the crisis that happens before a person is made homeless. While I acknowledge the noble sentiment behind it, the problem is bigger than provisions to safeguard people before they are made homeless....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing Assistance Payment: Discussion (15 Dec 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: I thank the witnesses for the presentation. I have listened to the speakers. I am living in County Limerick very near the Cork border and there is no affordable housing in the area. I am a father of four and recently I became a grandfather. We went into the property market to look for a house for my son, his partner and my grandchild. I have a very good knowledge of County Limerick....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing Assistance Payment: Discussion (15 Dec 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: Exactly. The new 2040 plan will make it harder again, as it is forcing people into certain settings. HAP is not our biggest problem. I deal with MABS on a daily basis. Our problem is that we do not have properties. We do not have the infrastructure to build properties. Derelict properties in towns and villages are on the sewerage system but it is too expensive to renovate them because...

Impact of Covid-19 Restrictions: Motion [Private Members] (16 Dec 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: I cannot let this day go without complimenting the Limerick team on winning the All-Ireland. I compliment Mr. John Kiely, the 36 members of his panel and the background team on such an historic achievement for Limerick during a pandemic. I thank them for that. I also thank Mr. J.P. McManus and his family for believing and investing in Limerick. I am a very proud Limerick person.

Impact of Covid-19 Restrictions: Motion [Private Members] (16 Dec 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: I thank the Deputy. We are discussing the roll-out of a vaccine. I am not anti-vaccine, but I want the public to be given information so that if people have concerns and questions, they can be addressed. People should not be dictated to or threatened into taking the vaccine. I have publicly stated that, when the vaccine is available to me, I will seek medical advice from my own GP on when...

Impact of Covid-19 Restrictions: Motion [Private Members] (16 Dec 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: I did not do that - the Minister did. However, when people have questions about the vaccine or they have concerns because they have suffered from depression, anxiety or so on, the Government tries to push something on them and is using the media to shove it down people's throats like a police state. Ireland is a free country and people are entitled to ask questions about what is going into...

Post-European Council: Statements (16 Dec 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: I will begin with cross-Border initiatives. When I was elected to Dáil Éireann I was lucky enough to get involved in a group, along with Deputy Michael Collins, that helped me to transport people from Limerick to Belfast for cataract surgery. Today I heard the Taoiseach saying that he does not know if this will continue after Brexit. He could not give us a definite answer on...

Planning and Development Bill 2020 [Seanad]: Second Stage (16 Dec 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: I am sharing time with Deputy Mattie McGrath. The Aarhus Convention highlights the importance of public consultation and transparency. I would like to speak about the lack of consultation in an oral hearing, which was held virtually, involving Irish Cement Limited at Castlemungret and the Environmental Protection Agency. Is the Minister aware that the objectors were kept in a virtual...

Planning and Development Bill 2020 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: I like to simplify things and I will put things into perspective for the Minister. I will use the GAA as a model to do statistics from a rural point of view. I refer to the Minister's good friend, John Cregan, who is the chairman of the county board in Limerick, where we won an All-Ireland this year. These statistics will show us the fall-off in people playing sport in rural clubs. Two...

Planning and Development Bill 2020 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: I am speaking to the amendment.