Results 21-40 of 2,988 for speaker:James O'Connor

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (29 Jul 2020)

James O'Connor: 183. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of visiting teachers under the public health provision for schools for September 2020 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19269/20]

Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 Jul 2020)

James O'Connor: I welcome this Bill, which makes changes to existing company law to enable firms to adapt to the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. It recognises that we are in a new normal and people should not be penalised for not meeting requirements that are simply unworkable under the current circumstances. The Bill addresses the operational issues in respect of compliance and gives...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Traffic Management (30 Jul 2020)

James O'Connor: I wish a good morning to the Acting Chairman, the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, and the other Deputies who are present. It is worth reading into the record that it is now 2.20 a.m. I thank the Minister for being in the Chamber to speak about an extremely important issue to the constituents of Cork East, whom I am elected here to represent and to me as their local Deputy and a former...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Traffic Management (30 Jul 2020)

James O'Connor: I thank the Minister for the information he has provided today to Dáil Éireann. As he stated, there is no definite project at this stage but that is something I am elected here to try to work upon and to resolve, as I have been doing in recent months. I recently met representatives of TII at its facility at the Jack Lynch tunnel to discuss this project. It is absolutely crucial...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Traffic Management (30 Jul 2020)

James O'Connor: I join the Chair in extending good wishes to the staff here, the ushers, the gardaí, the Clerk of the Dáil and all who have been involved with ensuring the Dáil has been able to run smoothly in what has been a very challenging time for many people. I thank the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, for staying here so late tonight to discuss this absolutely imperative issue. I wish...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects (30 Jul 2020)

James O'Connor: 48. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a new school complex (details supplied) at Carrigtwohill, County Cork. [19293/20]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (8 Sep 2020)

James O'Connor: 167. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if commuter rail fares will be introduced in Mallow, County Cork (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21267/20]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (8 Sep 2020)

James O'Connor: 1035. To ask the Minister for Health if he will report on the self-isolation procedure for residents of nursing homes after returning from hospital even if they have tested negative for Covid-19 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21266/20]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Student Support Schemes (9 Sep 2020)

James O'Connor: 27. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the dilemma for candidates applying to the SUSI system for doctoral funding as an independent candidate who cannot claim to have been living independently from the previous October due to circumstances in relation to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22639/20]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Student Support Schemes (9 Sep 2020)

James O'Connor: I congratulate the Minister on his appointment to this new position. I am no stranger to some of the work he is doing in the Department and I wish him well. This is an incredibly important time for many undergraduates and postgraduates. The lives of all citizens have been changed by Covid-19. Today I highlight the ability of young people to access higher education funding under the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Student Support Schemes (9 Sep 2020)

James O'Connor: The system to qualify as an independent candidate under SUSI sets a very high bar. Having to live independently since the previous October, and having to be over the age of 23 years when first entering higher education or having a three-year gap in higher education to qualify as an independent candidate, can be very difficult for many families. I do not think we can suggest that these...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Student Support Schemes (9 Sep 2020)

James O'Connor: I thank the Minister for that information. I appreciate that he is going to review the Student Support Act 2011. This is an opportunity for the Minister to think outside the box and look at what other countries are doing to provide funding for PhD candidates. The Netherlands offers a very interesting example, which is very different to Ireland. PhD candidates there are treated as...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Aviation Policy (9 Sep 2020)

James O'Connor: We need a two-pronged approach to address the situation facing our airports. We need to get clarity on international travel on and off the island, and we need to put a stimulus package in place to sustain the aviation industry over time. We need to recognise that the Covid-19 pandemic will be with us for the long term and we need to plan accordingly. Too many livelihoods are at stake. A...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Aviation Policy (9 Sep 2020)

James O'Connor: The final point I want to make relates to the task force report provided to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. This report stated very clearly that the State is required to intervene with our airports if we are to ensure they will be able to survive this pandemic. People are extremely worried about their livelihoods. They were perfectly fine until this pandemic came upon us....

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (15 Sep 2020)

James O'Connor: 57. To ask the Minister for Health the reason for removing spectators from the matches of an association (details supplied), notwithstanding the controlled measures to limit the spread of Covid-19 implemented at such matches in line with public health guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23682/20]

Protecting Jobs and Supporting Business: Statements (16 Sep 2020)

James O'Connor: We are engaging in an unprecedented level of State intervention to combat the Covid-19 crisis. We should ensure this money is invested smartly and in a manner that future-proofs our country, not only for living with Covid-19 today but also for living in a post-Covid world. It has been a difficult time for many in this country and the virus has exposed many of the structural problems across...

Expenditure Response to Covid-19 Crisis: Statements (Resumed) (17 Sep 2020)

James O'Connor: I am very happy to have the opportunity to discuss public expenditure related to Covid and our economy in general. In recent weeks society, large businesses and the Government have started to come to terms with how long we will be living with the Covid-19 virus and have started to put a plan in place for how we will continue to do our business. A factor that needs to be addressed ahead of...

Climate Action: Statements (17 Sep 2020)

James O'Connor: I welcome the Minister back to the Chamber. I am glad to see he is doing well. I take the opportunity today to speak about the link between transport infrastructure, climate action and energy. The first item I will raise with the Minister is the Cork metropolitan area transport strategy. This is a €3.5 billion investment package for Cork which will include commuter rail, bus...

Covid-19 (Transport): Statements (23 Sep 2020)

James O'Connor: I thank the Minister for attending to hear some of the points I want to make on transport. During a Topical Issue debate before the Dáil rose for the summer, I raised with the Minister traffic congestion around Castlemartyr, which is causing immense problems for the community in Youghal and Midleton. The national development plan review will come up shortly. I reiterate that this...

Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) (Amendment) Bill 2020: Second Stage (Resumed) (23 Sep 2020)

James O'Connor: I apologise for being late. We were in the middle of a meeting of the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party. I welcome this Bill, which drives home the need for transparency when it comes to the ever-changing world of money laundering and terrorist financing. The fifth anti-money laundering directive, which the Bill transposes into Irish law, is very important. In the wake of terrorist...