Results 261-280 of 382 for speaker:Seán Connick

Seanad: Lost at Scheme: Motion. (31 Mar 2010)

Seán Connick: It is my second visit. I was on Front Bench cover last week.

Seanad: Lost at Scheme: Motion. (31 Mar 2010)

Seán Connick: I thank those Senators who have spoken so far for their contributions and I understand more Senators will contribute. I thank the Senators who gave me their best wishes on what is my first occasion to address the Seanad. I look forward to a long working relationship with Members on all sides of the House. On 14 December last the Ombudsman submitted a special report to the Dáil and the...

Seanad: Lost at Scheme: Motion. (31 Mar 2010)

Seán Connick: It is my neighbour.

Obesity Levels: Statements (1 Apr 2010)

Seán Connick: I am delighted to make my contribution to this debate, picking up where Deputy Fergus O'Dowd left off. We were all participants in Operation Transformation. I lost 20 lbs during the programme but I have lost approximately two stone at this stage. Last Christmas I was sitting at home thinking I was unfit and unhealthy. I was not feeling great and I had a medical checkup. I decided I would...

Obesity Levels: Statements (1 Apr 2010)

Seán Connick: I am putting in context the scale of the amount involved and the impact it has in this area. I want now to return to the healthy lifestyle we enjoyed as children although I accept that life was different then. When I was growing up in the 1970s and 1980s in most cases there was a parent at home which meant one enjoyed a balanced diet and regular meals on the table. Much of this has been...

Seanad: Dental Services (20 Apr 2010)

Seán Connick: On behalf of the Minister for Health and Children, I am happy to have the opportunity to address the issue raised by the Senator. I thank him for his kind words at the beginning of his contribution. We worked together on the South-East Regional Authority and I look forward to working with him in the interests of the people of south east over the coming period. The dental treatment service...

Seanad: Tax Code. (20 Apr 2010)

Seán Connick: I thank the Senator for raising this matter. I wish to deal for a short time with the issue of climate change and both the European and the national response to what is widely recognised as one of the greatest dilemmas facing mankind. I need not spell out the potential devastation that will ensue for farmers and everyone else should the world not respond in an appropriate way to the need to...

Seanad: Library Services (20 Apr 2010)

Seán Connick: I thank the Senator for raising this matter. I understand Donegal County Council has been in regular contact with the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government on this matter. Donegal County Council operated a small public library in Gaoth Dobhair until it sustained extensive flooding on 23 June 2009. The library was housed in the old chapel in Derrybeg which is owned by the...

Coillte Business Strategy. (29 Apr 2010)

Seán Connick: My Department has been appraised of the details of Coillte's multi-annual business plan, as submitted in its strategy document, and is supportive of its business strategy. The company's strategy document, Destination 2012: Make it Happen, submitted to the Department in April 2009 outlined a number of strategies for the future development of the company. Land development is one of those...

Coillte Business Strategy. (29 Apr 2010)

Seán Connick: I thank the Deputy for raising his concerns with me but would point out to him that under the renewed programme for Government, to which he alluded, there is a strong commitment to forestry. I was somewhat enthused by my initial meetings, not just with the forestry liaison group but the officials within the Department and the other people I have met, and the renewed vigour about the forestry...

Coillte Business Strategy. (29 Apr 2010)

Seán Connick: The Deputy will understand it is an extremely difficult trading area for any company at this time, and Coillte is no different from any other company. It had a difficult year last year, as did many other companies in the country. There is a business focus to what it is trying to achieve. I would again point out to the Deputy that the interdepartmental group, with Coillte representation...

Coillte Business Strategy. (29 Apr 2010)

Seán Connick: I cannot answer that question. The Deputy will understand that in my new position that is something to which I cannot refer. I will raise the issue with my officials and ask them to respond to the Deputy directly on that issue.

Agri-environment Options Scheme. (29 Apr 2010)

Seán Connick: Under the new agri-environment options scheme which the Minister, Deputy Smith, launched on 30 March, farmers will be paid to undertake identifiable and verifiable environmental actions and have a menu of options from which to choose. The actions are designed to contribute to the priorities of biodiversity, water quality and climate change. The Government has provided for the launch of the...

Agri-environment Options Scheme. (29 Apr 2010)

Seán Connick: I thank Deputies Sherlock and Creed for their best wishes. I, too, look forward to working with them. I agree with Deputy Sherlock in regard to litter being a difficulty throughout the country. Like him I, too, am working with my colleagues at constituency level, including the local authority, county council and tidy towns committees to address this issue on our roadways. The Deputy will...

Agri-environment Options Scheme. (29 Apr 2010)

Seán Connick: All Deputies are disappointed at the level of litter in our hedgerows and on roadsides around the country. This is an issue which I am sure we are all focused on trying to improve. I remind the Deputy that the scheme is being reviewed on an ongoing basis. I understand the Minister will be keeping a close eye on potential additions that may be required if systems or actions are not working....

River Basin Management Plans. (29 Apr 2010)

Seán Connick: The implementation of the water framework directive, under which river basin management plans are being developed, is a matter for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Draft river basin management plans for each of the river basin districts were published on 22 December 2008 and were open for public consultation for six months until 22 June 2009. The draft plans...

River Basin Management Plans. (29 Apr 2010)

Seán Connick: I again thank the Deputy for raising the issue with me. I take the opportunity to welcome the fact that we at least have a time scale and schedule because the plans have been discussed for the past five years. By 20 April the plans will be adopted - it is a reserve function if necessary. Alternatively, it will be adopted by executive function by 14 May. The EPA is to submit a report to...

River Basin Management Plans. (29 Apr 2010)

Seán Connick: I reject the accusation that nothing has been done. As the Deputy is aware, there was an immediate and swift response to the difficulties which people had. My colleagues across several different Departments were involved in setting up measures in terms of funding for people who were badly affected and also dealing with local authorities to examine the level of flooding which took place. As...

River Basin Management Plans. (29 Apr 2010)

Seán Connick: It is a very big extension. Inspections are currently being carried out, not just by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food but also by the local authorities. We have examined the situation. There is now a combination of co-operation between the local authorities and the Department on the level of inspections. It is an area which is currently being examined. The Minister,...

River Basin Management Plans. (29 Apr 2010)

Seán Connick: I am not sure about that yet. I will let the Deputy know as soon as I find out.