Results 261-280 of 2,944 for speaker:Martin Heydon

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Burger Content Investigations: Discussion (5 Feb 2013)

Martin Heydon: I will not repeat questions that have been already asked. I acknowledge the extensive testing carried out by the FSAI and the role of Department officials in this process. It is a very complex area, as the reports have outlined to us. It is important for us to bear in mind that DNA testing is what brought this to light. This was not brought to State organisations and highlighted by an...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Pension Provisions (12 Feb 2013)

Martin Heydon: To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding the taxation of Department of Social Protection pensions pre 2012 in view of the fact that certain taxpayers such as a person (details supplied) in County Kildare are now being assessed for 2010 and 2011; if there has been a change in the Revenue policy in relation to the collection of backdated tax on these pensions; and if he will make...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Protection (12 Feb 2013)

Martin Heydon: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of persons subject to lamping on their lands; the protection, if any, his Department may provide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7367/13]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Shared Ownership Scheme (12 Feb 2013)

Martin Heydon: To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the review of the shared ownership scheme operated by local authorities, in particular the annual increases of 4.5% on the rental portion, which is causing financial stress to owners who are trying to manage repayments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7218/13]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Use of Commonage Lands: Discussion with Teagasc, NARGC and Golden Eagle Trust (12 Feb 2013)

Martin Heydon: I would like to apologise as I had to step out and take a call during the debate. Following the presentation, I agree with my colleagues that Teagasc's role is absolutely crucial. As a Deputy for Kildare South, the Curragh is a very large commonage in my constituency. It poses challenges for farmers, the Department of Defence and numerous horse trainers and other bloodstock interests....

Promissory Notes Arrangement: Motion (Resumed) (13 Feb 2013)

Martin Heydon: I am delighted to have an opportunity to contribute to this debate. I was present in the Chamber earlier and I am aware that our colleagues in Fianna Fáil have had plenty of smart comments to make. There is much in this deal for which they need to be grateful. By addressing some of the legacy problems they left behind, we are making matters easier for them in the context of their...

Promissory Notes: Motion (Resumed) (13 Feb 2013)

Martin Heydon: The point I was making before the debate adjourned was that constituents have raised the idea with me that the debt has now been passed to our children and is a noose around their neck for the future. There is a very good reason this country was borrowing €3.1 billion to pay the promissory note debt in recent years. Due to the bank guarantee in 2008, this is our debt. As unfair and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Accident and Emergency Services (14 Feb 2013)

Martin Heydon: To ask the Minister for Health the actions taken to tackle overcrowding and the use of trolleys in the accident and emergency department in Naas General Hospital, County Kildare, and the impact of these measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7551/13]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Irish National Stud: Discussion with Chairman Designate (14 Feb 2013)

Martin Heydon: I welcome Mr. Dempsey to the committee. I wish him well in taking on what will be a challenging but important role for the racing and breeding industry, not to mention the tourism aspect. As a TD for Kildare South I am very much aware of the importance of the National Stud and Japanese Gardens from a tourism point of view. The figure of 115,000 visitors does not surprise me because it is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse Racing Ireland: Discussion with Chairman Designate (14 Feb 2013)

Martin Heydon: I welcome Mr. Keeling and wish him well in his new role, which is of vital importance to the overall industry. We are all very supportive of him and are here to help in every way we can because we all want to see our position as world leaders in the breeding sector and our fantastic worldwide reputation as great horse people and a country that excels in that sector maintained. I worked in...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Alcohol Advertising (19 Feb 2013)

Martin Heydon: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the implications of a ban on alcohol sponsorship for sporting events and teams at both a micro and macro level; his views on whether such a ban on local sponsors will have a negative impact on local teams and organisations in small communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8586/13]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Use of Commonage Lands: Discussion (Resumed) (19 Feb 2013)

Martin Heydon: I thank the gentlemen attending for their presentations, which have given great clarity to an issue which everyone here is concerned has the potential to be very difficult to deal with. There are issues that need to be addressed, which we all accept. We are here to talk about the methodology of how we approach them in the best way possible. As a Deputy for Kildare South, I will be a bit...

Finance Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2013)

Martin Heydon: I wish to share time with Deputies Brian Walsh and John Paul Phelan.

Finance Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2013)

Martin Heydon: I am delighted to have an opportunity to speak on this Bill. I acknowledge the sentiments expressed by Deputy Ó Caoláin which reflect his perspective on the legislation. However, the one aspect he missed concerns the extremely difficult circumstances the country is in. The Government would like to be able to do an awful lot more, but we are in an extremely restricted position....

Finance Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2013)

Martin Heydon: These are the points on which I wish to commend the Finance Bill and I congratulate the Ministers responsible for their work on it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Pre-Council EU Developments: Discussion with Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (21 Feb 2013)

Martin Heydon: I thank the officials for appearing before the committee. Before touching on the CAP, I wish to question the EU-US high-level working group and the agreement to initiate internal procedures to launch the negotiations for a transatlantic trade and investment partnership. What impact could this have for exporting Irish beef to the US? Is there a timeline on those trade negotiations? What is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Use of Commonage Lands: Discussion (Resumed) with UFA and IFA (26 Feb 2013)

Martin Heydon: I thank the gentlemen for their presentation. Great thought went into it. Mr. Wall outlined the UFA policy objectives. I take it there is a problem with commonages in some areas that needs to be addressed and Mr. Wall has set out the many challenges facing the Department in addressing them. He set out the UFA's concerns. Deputy Ó Cuív referred to the committee's dealings with...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Use of Commonage Lands: Discussion (Resumed) with UFA and IFA (26 Feb 2013)

Martin Heydon: May I ask a supplementary question?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Use of Commonage Lands: Discussion (Resumed) with UFA and IFA (26 Feb 2013)

Martin Heydon: Did the witness say earlier that farmers could possibly rent from those who were inactive?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Use of Commonage Lands: Discussion (Resumed) with UFA and IFA (26 Feb 2013)

Martin Heydon: There could be a situation where the person who has inherited the rights to the commonage but never activates them could make an income by renting the commonage out while the young farmer always has to pay the rent and never gets the opportunity to buy. To return to the original point of selling, I would be concerned if he was renting for a number of years but eventually had to get an option...