Results 3,841-3,860 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Developments in the North-South Co-operation: Discussion with Centre for Cross Border Studies (26 Jun 2014)

Joe McHugh: The members have ranged over a number of areas, but if the delegates wish to respond specifically to other areas, they may do that. They may also, if they wish, flag a matter for the public record. I am not going to open up the discussion again to members as time does not permit. The delegation will have the final word.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Developments in the North-South Co-operation: Discussion with Centre for Cross Border Studies (26 Jun 2014)

Joe McHugh: Is the Deputy asking whether they are for or against it?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Developments in the North-South Co-operation: Discussion with Centre for Cross Border Studies (26 Jun 2014)

Joe McHugh: I thank the group very much for its contributions. It has made a series of recommendations and we will forward these to the current Minister, but there may be a change in that regard in a couple of weeks. Whatever is the case, we will pass them on to whomever will be in the position of responsibility with regard to North-South responsibility for evaluation. It is important to recognise...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Road Network: A5 Working Group (26 Jun 2014)

Joe McHugh: On behalf of the committee I warmly welcome a cross-party, cross-jurisdiction and cross-competency grouping of people, the A5 working group. I welcome Daniel McSorley, chief executive of Omagh District Council and Strabane District Council. I wish to acknowledge his role in putting the project together and initiating the process. I welcome Alderman Michael Coyle, chairman, and Ms Anne...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Road Network: A5 Working Group (26 Jun 2014)

Joe McHugh: Anyway, he sends apologies. Obviously he would prefer to be here, but he cannot be. I welcome Elizabeth Harkin, public relations officer at Omagh District Council, and I wish to acknowledge her work and her role behind the scenes in her day-to-day job as well as her day-to-day facilitation of this process. Regional development in the Border areas is vital to ensuring long-term economic...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Road Network: A5 Working Group (26 Jun 2014)

Joe McHugh: Both contributions were fairly comprehensive. I will open up the debate for the members now, starting with Deputy Brendan Smith.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Road Network: A5 Working Group (26 Jun 2014)

Joe McHugh: I welcome Deputy Pringle to the joint committee.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Road Network: A5 Working Group (26 Jun 2014)

Joe McHugh: We are digressing slightly from the matter under discussion.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Road Network: A5 Working Group (26 Jun 2014)

Joe McHugh: I will ensure the Taoiseach receives a copy of the Senator's contribution.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Road Network: A5 Working Group (26 Jun 2014)

Joe McHugh: No, that is okay. A number of issues have been raised. Perhaps our guests can decide among themselves how they wish to deal with them.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Road Network: A5 Working Group (26 Jun 2014)

Joe McHugh: That is not a problem. Perhaps Mr. McSorley or Mr. McLoughlin will comment in the context of the timeline. Much has happened since the end of April and there has been progress. Reading between the lines, there appears to be momentum. Will our guests reassure members that it is moving in the right direction?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Road Network: A5 Working Group (26 Jun 2014)

Joe McHugh: Deputy Crowe referred to the Monaghan aspect. Would someone like to comment on that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Road Network: A5 Working Group (26 Jun 2014)

Joe McHugh: Is there a figure envisaged?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Road Network: A5 Working Group (26 Jun 2014)

Joe McHugh: Does the amount include the bridge?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Road Network: A5 Working Group (26 Jun 2014)

Joe McHugh: There is a good working relationship between the Roads Service Northern Ireland and the NRA as well as the local authorities. Are officials in the Roads Service Northern Ireland sitting around a table deciding on a route? The question is where the A5 links up with the N2 or is it too early to say?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Road Network: A5 Working Group (26 Jun 2014)

Joe McHugh: The message is loud and clear.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Road Network: A5 Working Group (26 Jun 2014)

Joe McHugh: That contribution is helpful. I thank the members of the delegation for that discussion. This does not end today. The witnesses have highlighted the challenges that lie ahead. I thank Mr. McSorley for speaking about the review. The capital expenditure review is critical. Coming from Monaghan County Council and Donegal County Council the know what they need, and the important point Mr....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Road Network: A5 Working Group (26 Jun 2014)

Joe McHugh: And Mountcharles. It is not just about a road from points A to B. It is about opening up a region. We all know the historical reasons it has not been opened up but we have so much to offer, and Mr. Kelly outlined the history, scenery and landscape. We thank the witnesses for attending. We will keep the conversation going and do whatever we can at our end.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Cross-Border Co-operation in Communications Technology: ERNACT (3 Jul 2014)

Joe McHugh: The delegation from the north west is most welcome and we look forward to discussing the work it is involved in on a cross-Border and pan-European basis with regard to advanced communications technology. I welcome the representatives from the European Regions Network for the Application of Communications Technology, ERNACT, Mr. Colm McColgan, general manager, Councillor Gerard Diver,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Cross-Border Co-operation in Communications Technology: ERNACT (3 Jul 2014)

Joe McHugh: Is that the INTERREG programme?