Results 3,161-3,180 of 4,154 for speaker:Martin Kenny

Energy Charter Treaty: Statements (9 Nov 2023)

Martin Kenny: We are glad to be hear today to speak about the Energy Charter Treaty. The concept of close negotiations and close co-operation between different countries on the movement of energy and development of energy resources has huge merit and a place in the modern world. However, this treaty should have been called the fossil fuel energy charter treaty because it is primarily or solely about...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Public Transport (9 Nov 2023)

Martin Kenny: I support Deputy O'Rourke on this issue. I was over with the NTA this morning in Buswells Hotel and it was an issue we discussed. The difficulty in recruiting mechanics and retaining them in all aspects is clearly something that is causing a huge problem across the entire State. It is not just for buses, it is across everything. The car testing services are having the same problems. It...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Public Transport (9 Nov 2023)

Martin Kenny: I appreciate that work is being done and that the Minister of State is saying the consultation is complete and that progress will be made in due course. We have to recognise that for many people who are waiting to get a bus which does not come because it cannot be serviced, waiting on a report or for something to happen in the future is not any good to them. We need action on this sort of...

Defective Dwellings Bill 2021: Second Stage [Private Members] (9 Nov 2023)

Martin Kenny: I also commend Deputy Duffy on bringing forward this legislation. It goes back to the 1970s or before, when many of the houses that were built across the State were not up to standard. We see them all the time. All of us would have people coming into our constituency offices talking about mould growing in their houses and dampness coming up through the floor. Some of them have to buy a...

Defective Dwellings Bill 2021: Second Stage [Private Members] (9 Nov 2023)

Martin Kenny: That is what we need to see happen.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizens' Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Nov 2023)

Martin Kenny: I thank the witnesses for their opening statements. Much of the discussion has, naturally enough, focused on farming and agriculture, due to the issues around that. As the witnesses clearly outlined, it is the largest area we need to try to deal with. I come from the Sligo-Leitrim constituency and nitrates are not the issue for the vast majority of farmers in that area. They are low...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizens' Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Nov 2023)

Martin Kenny: Does the EPA flag or highlight specific solutions that are needed? For instance, if there is a problem in a particular region or waterway, does the EPA get to the stage where it says that if something is not done to improve the infrastructure which is causing this problem, it is going to court? Does that stick work?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizens' Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Nov 2023)

Martin Kenny: When doing the tests and collecting and collating all the data, it can be clearly identified if there is a pollution problem in an area from an industrial, farming or human waste source. Every year, it is published that a certain number of septic tanks or one-off treatment plants around the country have been inspected and that a large proportion of them have failed. My understanding is that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizens' Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Nov 2023)

Martin Kenny: We need to see enhanced biodiversity but we cannot have that without reduced intensity in farm practices. Is that statement generally true? On farm practices, in many areas such as the west of Ireland, in agri-forestry no field is bigger than 2 acres and has a large hedgerow around it. Farmers are frustrated that they do not get the recognition for what they naturally do. Nobody is asking...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizens' Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Nov 2023)

Martin Kenny: I thank the witnesses for their contributions. I want to ask about ACRES, which is the main scheme for the farming community from an environmental perspective. It is open to approximately 50,000 farmers. How many of these are in the dairy sector and other more intensive sectors? It is probably considered that the vast majority of farmers who go into these schemes are already operating at...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Citizens' Assembly Report on Biodiversity Loss: Discussion (Resumed) (7 Nov 2023)

Martin Kenny: Are there no other measures to encourage more intensive farmers to enter the schemes? We know it is voluntary but can nothing else be done? Has the Department considered other measures to try to target more intensive operators? The issue as far as I can see is the more intensive farmers are creating the most difficulties, yet they are the ones not availing of the schemes. Can anything be...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Business of Committee (8 Nov 2023)

Martin Kenny: I second that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Irish Air Navigation Service: Chairperson Designate (8 Nov 2023)

Martin Kenny: I thank Mr. Bourke for coming today and for his opening statement. Many of my questions have been discussed. Approximately how many air traffic controllers are in AirNav?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Irish Air Navigation Service: Chairperson Designate (8 Nov 2023)

Martin Kenny: Mr. Bourke mentioned that there is a competitive international environment for that skill set. Does that mean AirNav has difficulties in losing people to other jurisdictions or organisations?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Irish Air Navigation Service: Chairperson Designate (8 Nov 2023)

Martin Kenny: When he says it is a risk, does he mean it is something AirNav is dealing with? Has it lost many people in that type of situation or is it difficult to attract others?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Irish Air Navigation Service: Chairperson Designate (8 Nov 2023)

Martin Kenny: Mr. Bourke mentioned Shannon Airport. One thing that always strikes me about regional airports or airports outside the main hub, Dublin, is the opportunities that exist to expand or grow traffic into them, which may be somewhat more restricted or more difficult. We can talk about caps and so on in Dublin Airport. Is there any issue with providing staff to the airports outside Dublin, in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Irish Air Navigation Service: Chairperson Designate (8 Nov 2023)

Martin Kenny: Excellent. How quickly is AirNav informed of international encroachments on the airspace and what measures can it take or what protocols are in place to deal with it?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Irish Air Navigation Service: Chairperson Designate (8 Nov 2023)

Martin Kenny: As aviation grows, the AirNav team will need to grow and at the moment that-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Irish Air Navigation Service: Chairperson Designate (8 Nov 2023)

Martin Kenny: Does AirNav have the capacity to train more people?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Irish Air Navigation Service: Chairperson Designate (8 Nov 2023)

Martin Kenny: Will Mr. Bourke address the question about encroachment on our airspace and what protocols are in place or how it works?