Results 2,781-2,800 of 4,399 for speaker:Martin Browne

Committee on Public Petitions: Office of the Ombudsman Annual Report 2021: Office of the Ombudsman (16 Feb 2023)

Martin Browne: Yes, Deputy Higgins also suggested earlier that we invite Mr. Deering to come back in here when the reports are published. Does Deputy Buckley wish to comment?

Committee on Public Petitions: Office of the Ombudsman Annual Report 2021: Office of the Ombudsman (16 Feb 2023)

Martin Browne: Does the Ombudsman wish to make a closing comment?

Committee on Public Petitions: Office of the Ombudsman Annual Report 2021: Office of the Ombudsman (16 Feb 2023)

Martin Browne: There is a consensus that once the reports have been finalised, we will invite the Ombudsman back in again. I thank Mr. Deering and Ms Hanrahan for attending. We have had an informative meeting and we look forward to taking things further but the next time, we will ensure that Deputy Buckley starts at the front of the book.

Committee on Public Petitions: Office of the Ombudsman Annual Report 2021: Office of the Ombudsman (16 Feb 2023)

Martin Browne: We will suspend the meeting for a few minutes to allow the witnesses to depart.

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (16 Feb 2023)

Martin Browne: We have three petitions for consideration today. Petition No. 36 of 2021 is entitled Reform of Insurance for Thatched Heritage Buildings and was submitted by Ms Katie McNelis. This petition relates to the difficulties people have in getting insurance for residential and commercial thatched properties. The secretariat corresponded with the Central Bank on behalf of the petitioner in October...

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (16 Feb 2023)

Martin Browne: That will be one of the sad things about it. If it is not resolved by some of the Departments, or if they cannot get some insurance company to do it at a reasonable price, we will lose it. Thatched roofs are known all around the world as part of Irish heritage. I can just think of Holycross in my constituency where it is the first thing that hits you when you come into the village. Adare...

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (16 Feb 2023)

Martin Browne: As Deputy Buckley and I said, if we do not follow procedure, we run the risk that the matter will be pushed back, pushed out or that it will not be heard the way it should be and then not given the correct and proper consideration. I assure petitioners that the clerk to the committee and the rest of the secretariat are doing as much work as they possibly can in trying to resolve the matter...

Committee on Public Petitions: Office of the Ombudsman Annual Report 2021: Office of the Ombudsman (16 Feb 2023)

Martin Browne: With regard to the report, what are the shortcomings of it, especially in the area of disability and transport? This committee has brought it up before and 12 years later, as mentioned in the report, there is still a lack of progress. What is holding things back? Why is solving the issue such a slow process?

Committee on Public Petitions: Office of the Ombudsman Annual Report 2021: Office of the Ombudsman (16 Feb 2023)

Martin Browne: Up to now it was the Department of Finance that was responsible for the only scheme that is left.

Eviction Ban Bill 2022: Second Stage [Private Members] (22 Feb 2023)

Martin Browne: I thank People Before Profit-Solidarity for bringing the Bill before the House. I welcome the Minister. It makes a change for him to be around for the debate-----

Eviction Ban Bill 2022: Second Stage [Private Members] (22 Feb 2023)

Martin Browne: -----and not to have gone off someplace else.

Eviction Ban Bill 2022: Second Stage [Private Members] (22 Feb 2023)

Martin Browne: When the Minister finally listened to us and introduced the eviction ban, he said its aim was "to afford time for housing supply to increase and to reduce the burden on homeless services and the pressure on tenants and the residential tenancies market". The Minister wasted that time. Yesterday, he failed the many in need by introducing nothing to reduce rents, to help with the rising cost...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (22 Feb 2023)

Martin Browne: I raise with the Taoiseach a situation in Gortnahoo in Tipperary, where Eir is trying to construct an 18 m mast. The county council has turned down planning permission for this mast, as county councils throughout the country have done in similar cases. However, in its wisdom, An Bord Pleanála has overturned that decision. The residents in Gortnahoo want their broadband and all of...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (22 Feb 2023)

Martin Browne: Does the Taoiseach realise what it would cost for a small business to seek a judicial review?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Policy and Strategy (Resumed): Discussion (22 Feb 2023)

Martin Browne: I welcome the witnesses. I support Deputy Fitzmaurice in his assessment of the Minister and the Department. It seems to be total incompetence. The frustration, listening to other members today, is apparent. Most of them asked about the issues I intended talking about. We have talked about this subject over and over. From listening to the witnesses, we are further away than we should be,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Policy and Strategy (Resumed): Discussion (22 Feb 2023)

Martin Browne: I agree. We kind of laughed when we were told in a recent meeting that the target is 18,000 ha per annum. As it is, we cannot get near the 8,000 ha target. Unless there is a complete change in departmental thinking, we will get nowhere near 18,000 ha. The letter of expectation states that "Coillte has not been involved in planting new productive forests in many years and should ......

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Policy and Strategy (Resumed): Discussion (22 Feb 2023)

Martin Browne: It also came across at the last meeting that we were reaching targets 20 years ago. It is since Coillte became involved that things have started to go down. I appreciate what Mr. Murray said about this deal. The witnesses are successful businessmen. I do not know if they can answer this but, in their experience, how long would it take to finalise a deal such as that entered into between...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Policy and Strategy (Resumed): Discussion (22 Feb 2023)

Martin Browne: I will ask its representatives that question too.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Policy and Strategy (Resumed): Discussion (22 Feb 2023)

Martin Browne: We have spoken numerous times to the Limerick and Tipperary Woodland Owners, which has raised the particular issue of clearing ash dieback on the roadside. For the record, can the witnesses give people an idea of the financial costs and layout and level of responsibility on the landowners to do this by themselves? Can they give the committee an idea of how costly it is to remove infected...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Policy and Strategy (Resumed): Discussion (22 Feb 2023)

Martin Browne: How does the expected nature restoration law play into our afforestation targets and ability to make plans? Given that plantations may be deemed to be in the wrong place and fall foul of it, what ability do we have to prepare for a situation like that?