Results 3,061-3,080 of 7,412 for speaker:Neasa Hourigan

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Updated Economic and Fiscal Position in Advance of Budget 2023: Discussion (7 Sep 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: It is a very interesting point because it was such a battle to get reusable menstrual products on the same VAT rate as the throwaway products. It is such a green measure but it was such a battle to do that. It is to be hoped that a Department would have somebody whose role is to constantly audit that list.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Updated Economic and Fiscal Position in Advance of Budget 2023: Discussion (7 Sep 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: I will stick with IBEC and ask about access to credit at present. As has been said, and I completely agree, there will have to be Government movement and action, not just in making loans but in something more fundamental than that. In terms of outside Government, credit unions have recently attempted to make themselves more available to SMEs. What is IBEC's estimation of access to credit?...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Updated Economic and Fiscal Position in Advance of Budget 2023: Discussion (7 Sep 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: Ireland is unusual in that regard.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Updated Economic and Fiscal Position in Advance of Budget 2023: Discussion (7 Sep 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: Finally, if I can go back to the PhD, something strikes me. This may be a somewhat theoretical question but we are living in a very strange time where we are testing the limits of elasticity of demand in real time on things like carbon taxes because the price of everything has risen so dramatically. It is an inelasticity that people can only change so fast and so far. What is that telling...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Updated Economic and Fiscal Position in Advance of Budget 2023: Discussion (7 Sep 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: Are there any supplementary questions? Does Deputy Durkan?

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Updated Economic and Fiscal Position in Advance of Budget 2023: Discussion (7 Sep 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: Okay. We have concluded the session. I thank our guests for coming in this evening. The meeting has been at a bit of a breakneck speed because we have had four different bodies in today but the change to the budgetary cycle requires it. I do apologise. I am sure we will have both groups back before the committee again. I thank members for sitting during recess, which I really appreciate.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (15 Sep 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: Have we had Waterways Ireland before the committee-----

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (15 Sep 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: If it is a cross-border body, how does that operate? If we have not had them, can we have them?

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (15 Sep 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: We do not necessarily need to have an authority from Northern Ireland come here to help audit. Can we go ahead and Waterways Ireland just have to answer to both?

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (15 Sep 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: The Chairman took the words right out of my mouth. With no oversight from the Assembly since it is, unfortunately, not sitting, I believe we should do our duty and have Waterways Ireland in for a session.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (15 Sep 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: Part of the issue is the complete lack of access to orthodontic services. We are running a system whereby we let people go so far that the only thing that can be done is extreme orthodontic treatment. The Minister in question is sitting on a report on the services and education of orthodontists. We have been unable to get that report from the Minister. I am wondering, if we are going to...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (15 Sep 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: We have agreed that we will change the date but, as Deputy Murphy pointed out, if people are invited to this committee, there is an expectation that they will come. I am aware that the derby is happening but, as I said, unless they are running in the derby themselves, surely they could find a staff member who can come. The races happen on a Saturday. I am at a loss as to why they cannot...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (15 Sep 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: I agree with the Chair's characterisation of what is happening at local level. It is very difficult for councillors to give it the time and attention it needs. We are speaking about the local authorities as though they are independent groups or organisations. In other European countries, local authorities can generate their own revenue. We do not operate in this way in Ireland. The local...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (15 Sep 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: I suggest that we hold over this correspondence until Deputy Catherine Murphy is present. We have had a conversation about this and it might be worth a follow-up.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (15 Sep 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: It is an interesting one. We might be doing the State a service if we follow up on it.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (15 Sep 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: There is an issue in respect of getting that information.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (15 Sep 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: The construction standards in the 1990s in some ways might have been lower than in the 1930s. I live in a 1930s poured concrete building. It retains heat. Some of the insulation standards from the 1990s were lower. That might be some of the thinking involved.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (15 Sep 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: They are in Cabra too. They are all over the place. I live in one. Some of the thinking might be that some of the houses constructed in the 1980s and 1990s are draughtier than older houses.