Results 261-280 of 798 for speaker:Cathal Berry

Offshore Renewable Energy: Motion [Private Members] (8 Dec 2021)

Cathal Berry: I am delighted to be here this morning to address this really important motion on offshore wind energy. At the outset I pay tribute to my good colleague, Deputy Denis Naughten, and our group administrator, Ms Cáit Nic Amhlaoibh, who did most of the heavy lifting to prepare the motion I have just three points to make in the time allowed. The first is about Ireland's geographical...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 Dec 2021)

Cathal Berry: I wish all present, and the entire parliamentary community, a Happy Christmas. I wish to raise with the Taoiseach the situation in Ukraine because I know it will feature at the European Council meeting he will attend tomorrow. It is a very serious situation. There are more than 100,000 Russian troops on the border, backed up by armour, artillery and aircraft. As every day passes, it...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 Dec 2021)

Cathal Berry: I thank the Taoiseach for the very helpful response. On the implementation of the recommendations, we have a very poor track record in this country of implementing defence policy once it is decided. There was a White Paper from 2015, for example. Dozens of projects from six years ago have yet even to be commenced, let alone completed. Can the Taoiseach guarantee or assure us that the...

Appointment of Member and Chair of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission: Motion (15 Dec 2021)

Cathal Berry: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this motion and thank the Minister for bringing it before the House. I have just three points to make in the time allowed. First, I very much welcome the appointment of Judge Rory MacCabe to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission. Having reviewed his CV, I think he is eminently suitable for the role. Not only is he suitable as an...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (16 Dec 2021)

Cathal Berry: 108. To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding the application of VAT on utility bills; the rate for same; if he is considering a reduction in the rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62418/21]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (16 Dec 2021)

Cathal Berry: 116. To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding the application of VAT on motor fuel; the rate for same; if he is considering a reduction in the rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62419/21]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (16 Dec 2021)

Cathal Berry: 246. To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding supports for the hospitality sector from his Department in response to the further public health restrictions imposed on the sector to reduce the spread of Covid-19; the date the scheme will be open for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62421/21]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (16 Dec 2021)

Cathal Berry: 90. To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding the employment wage subsidy scheme, EWSS, in response to further public health restrictions imposed to reduce the spread of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62420/21]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (16 Dec 2021)

Cathal Berry: As the Minister will be aware, the EWSS has been instrumental in saving thousands upon thousands of jobs across the country over the past couple of years. There have been some recent changes to it, however. Perhaps he could outline these changes because I am receiving many queries from small and microbusinesses across my constituency.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (16 Dec 2021)

Cathal Berry: I thank the Minister for that very useful response. I have a specific question. I am glad he brought up the hospitality industry. As we all know, there is quite a large fluctuation in turnover in hospitality businesses because of the seasonality associated with their sector. Is it a case that if a hotel, for instance, is not enrolled in the EWSS scheme for the month of December, it is...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (16 Dec 2021)

Cathal Berry: I thank the Minister for that clarification. To address the final part of my question, I accept his bona fides that the EWSS is to support jobs and employees. Reports have emerged over the past 48 hours, however, that some of the money used to subsidise companies went on to basically provide dividends for shareholders, which is not the intended goal of the scheme. I know the Minister is...

Violence Against Women: Statements (19 Jan 2022)

Cathal Berry: Good evening, Minister. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this debate. I wish it was taking place under different circumstances. I convey my heartfelt sympathies to the Murphy family, the school community in Durrow and the members of the wider Offaly community, all of whom have been traumatised by the horrendous events of recent days. The 33rd Dáil will always be...

Youth Mental Health: Statements (26 Jan 2022)

Cathal Berry: I thank the Ministers of State for their detailed opening statements. I am very grateful for the opportunity to speak on this important topic. Considering what we have all been through as a people over the past the past two years, I cannot think of a more appropriate topic to discuss tonight because it is a crosscutting issue that affects every party in the House and every home in this...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (27 Jan 2022)

Cathal Berry: 110. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the position regarding discussions within his Department to enable sergeants who enlisted in the Permanent Defence Forces after 1 January 1994 to continue in service beyond 50-years of age; when an outcome of these discussions is likely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3899/22]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (27 Jan 2022)

Cathal Berry: 116. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the position regarding the Commission on the Defence Forces report; when this report is expected to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3898/22]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (27 Jan 2022)

Cathal Berry: 126. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he is satisfied with the daily ration rate for enlisted personnel in the Defence Forces; if it is in line with best practice within the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3900/22]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Data (27 Jan 2022)

Cathal Berry: 127. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the funds returned unspent to the Exchequer from his Department in 2020 and 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3897/22]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (27 Jan 2022)

Cathal Berry: 140. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the Defence Forces are in a position to contribute to operational measures with European Union partners in the event of Russian military aggression against Ukraine from a capability perspective given the outcomes of the most recent European Commission meeting on 16 December 21 at which the European Union expressed readiness to coordinate;...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (3 Feb 2022)

Cathal Berry: It is reported that the Commission on the Defence Forces is scheduled to submit its findings shortly. In light of recent and current events in our home waters, the report cannot be issued soon enough. Is there any indicative timing of when the report will be submitted to the Cabinet for consideration? When will it be published thereafter for public consumption?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Russia's Foreign Policy and Security in Europe: Engagement with Ambassador of Russia (2 Feb 2022)

Cathal Berry: I thank the Chairman. I wish the ambassador and his team a good evening and thank him for coming before the committee. It is very useful to have an in-person meeting because we can both listen to the ambassador's words but also read his body language, which is perhaps more revealing and more insightful. I have four questions. The first one is on Ukraine and the remaining three are on...