Results 2,901-2,920 of 5,157 for speaker:Mairéad Farrell

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Construction Industry (2 Mar 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: This question asks about the construction sector group that is currently undertaking the roll-out of modern methods of construction, MMC, if the Minister of State would like to discuss the issue.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Construction Industry (2 Mar 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: The construction sector group was established by the then Department for Public Expenditure and Reform in 2018 and was a collaborative effort on the part of State and industry. Things like that are very welcome, especially if they serve a public purpose. The group has tried to promote the transition to sustainable construction, known commonly as MMC. The group has produced many good...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Construction Industry (2 Mar 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: I completely agree with the Minister of State about the role that MMC can play. However, we know that the percentage of homes being built by MMC remains very small. I do not think the State has created the demand for MMC. We know the industry itself is still in its infancy and it will not grow sufficiently fast unless we are willing to nurture it. That means creating the demand for those...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Freedom of Information (2 Mar 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: 108. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on the legislation he will bring forward this year in relation to the Freedom of Information Act 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10528/23]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Freedom of Information (2 Mar 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: This question relates to an update of the legislation the Government will be bringing forward in respect of freedom of information, FOI, requests.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Freedom of Information (2 Mar 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: An issue I have raised with the Minister previously, and that I hope he will look it, relates to the appeals process. We are all aware that people sometimes put in FOI requests that are refused or the information is redacted and after an appeal, that information becomes available. We need to consider that in terms of transparency. FOI is there to provide as much transparency as possible....

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Report of the Commission on Taxation and Welfare: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: Gabhaim buíochas leis na finnéithe as teacht os comhair an choiste. I look forward to our engagement. I thank the witnesses for taking the time to come before the committee. My first question is for the ESRI. With regard to the model, Dr. de Bruin stated that the results show that the proposed carbon tax increase has the potential to reduce emissions by approximately 16% by...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Report of the Commission on Taxation and Welfare: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: In the interests of clarity, what is that 16% based on? Is it that people just cannot afford it? Is that what Dr. de Bruin means.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Report of the Commission on Taxation and Welfare: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: I am thinking of those people who do not have the means. I do not mean this in an argumentative way; I am just trying to figure it out. I am referring to people I deal with. I wonder what type of people Dr. de Bruin is referring to. Is she talking about a certain class of people? I just do not know how the people I deal with will be able to make a switch.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Report of the Commission on Taxation and Welfare: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: That is interesting. What does the ESRI consider constitutes long run? What is the period in people's heads? This is now a situation whereby people have to think it will be long term. How does the ESRI categorise that?

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Report of the Commission on Taxation and Welfare: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: I thank Dr. Farrell for that. It is interesting. I have another question for the ESRI regarding modern methods of construction, MMC. A recent ESRI report noted the contribution a transition to MMC could make towards less wastage, lower carbon emissions, less commuting, less pollution and so on. It is an area I am interested in but little progress has been made on it. The Department of...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Report of the Commission on Taxation and Welfare: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: Okay. That would be great. It is an area I have a particular interest in. I did not want to let the opportunity pass. I thank Dr. de Bruin for that.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Report of the Commission on Taxation and Welfare: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: It is very important to our delivery of housing, in addition to meeting our climate targets. If any of the CCAC representatives want to jump in on any of the previous questions, be my guest. Do they want to do that or should I continue?

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Report of the Commission on Taxation and Welfare: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: Everybody is trying to help and so on but I see it from the perspective of my constituents who are living in social housing. I want retrofitting as quickly as possible for all such people. I see people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease living in houses that are freezing, with windows that do not even fit properly. I know a woman who is reliant on an old range. The house was built...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Report of the Commission on Taxation and Welfare: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: I am also quite interested in the fact it is only three floors. Does the CCAC have a proposal on how high it should go? Does it agree with other countries? Has it made a proposal in that regard?

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Report of the Commission on Taxation and Welfare: Discussion (Resumed) (1 Mar 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: I thank Ms Donnelly. I apologise to the Chair, but I have to attend another meeting. I thank everyone for coming.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Investment Funds: Discussion (1 Mar 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: I also thank the witnesses for the work they do. I know first-hand the impact it has had on people's lives. Mr. Hall mentioned how this issue impacts on people's lives. Sometimes, when we talk about issues at committee, we do not think about the real life impact they have. One of the witnesses said how much more acute this is becoming. We know all the different pressures people are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Investment Funds: Discussion (1 Mar 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: I take the point regarding how debt is a cloud for people and how it paralyses them with fear because they do not know how to deal with it or are too terrified to do so. That is a powerful point. Mr. Kissane is saying that we do not need to give more powers to the Central Bank for enforcement but what we need to do is increase competition and I take that point. What work can this...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Investment Funds: Discussion (1 Mar 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: We are talking about two separate issues now. My question was for Mr. Kissane on increasing competition. That said, I take Mr. Burgess' point about primary legislation. Indeed, I was going to ask a question about that but Mr. Burgess has given me an answer. I take his point about primary legislation but it does not answer my question about increasing competition.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Investment Funds: Discussion (1 Mar 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: It was Mr. Kissane who said that our focus needs to be on increasing competition in the market, which is why I was asking-----