Results 4,221-4,240 of 6,565 for speaker:Ruairí Ó Murchú

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (22 Mar 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: I am about to do something I do not generally do, which is to quote the remarks of the Tánaiste. This follows on from some of the conversation on Palestine and the brutal actions of the racist and apartheid Israeli regime, which no longer even bothers to put up a pretence. He stated: I am conscious that there is general consensus in the House about having a two-state solution and of...

Health (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage (22 Mar 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: I have limited time so I will shoot through a considerable amount. Everyone welcomes the fact that hospital inpatient charges will be abolished but it should have been done better and more quickly. It should have happened a long time ago but we welcome it. There is a long journey ahead to reach the final destination of a decent universal healthcare system. We know we do not have such a...

Health (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage (22 Mar 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: It is crazy that it was pulled before we had even the Government's proposals and solutions in place. That is the crazy bit of it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: EU Strategic Autonomy: Discussion (22 Mar 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: This is my first opportunity to publicly welcome the Chair to his position. I hope he will allow me plenty of free rein, as the previous Chair did.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: EU Strategic Autonomy: Discussion (22 Mar 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: I thank Professor Cottey and Dr. McDonagh. We are in a changed geopolitical set-up. We probably had a certain element of consistency over many years that Vladimir Putin has turned on its head. Some will say we could look back at what he said and did previously and that perhaps there were lessons, but sometimes these things can be missed. When strategic autonomy is discussed at a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: EU Strategic Autonomy: Discussion (22 Mar 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: I did say something about leeway, did I not?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: EU Strategic Autonomy: Discussion (22 Mar 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: In fairness, when dealing with bright people, they know where the questions are in the middle of this.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: EU Strategic Autonomy: Discussion (22 Mar 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: The last thing I will throw out is that when I am talking about strategic autonomy, the fear and danger are that we must ensure we are not talking about European protectionism or a certain element of madness that puts further pressure on the Third World, given the issues it has and we have, such as climate change and so on.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Mar 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: 25. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will provide a definitive timeline on when a decision will be made about the mandatory retirement age of 50 years being extended for Defence Forces members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13880/23]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Mar 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: We all accept the service and importance of what the Defence Forces do and the difficulties that they have to work with at times. That was drawn to our attention by the loss of Seán Rooney and I am aware that the Minister is dealing with the family in that respect at this time. The Minister has accepted that the compulsory retirement age at 50 does not suit for a considerable number...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Mar 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: I would not like to race Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick at the moment.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Mar 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: I agree. The nub of the issue is that we all accept that there is a problem in respect of 50 being the compulsory retirement age and we must get to the point of introducing the necessary flexibilities. It comes down to the timeline so that we at least know what sort of timeline we are looking at and whether that is for the interim or finalised arrangements. Can the Minister provide that...

Safe Staffing Levels in Hospitals: Statements (23 Mar 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: Had I realised I had this slot, I might not have dealt with quite as many issues yesterday; however, in fairness, I may revisit some of them. I hope we can get an answer on some of them. Like everyone else, I am very glad we are dealing with the issue of safe staffing levels in hospitals. We all know the issues that we had, particularly in December and January. We know of the chaotic...

Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Bill 2020: Second Stage [Private Members] (23 Mar 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: What is being proposed by Deputy Ó Broin is a straightforward set-up on a national car test, NCT-type inspection and a checklist. We can all see the wins with this for tenants, particularly for those who are in substandard and the nightmare-to-rent type tenancies which do not work for anybody. This is a very easy sell and I was listening to the Minister of State in respect of what...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (21 Mar 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: 97. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline the engagement he has had with the British government, political parties in the North and the European Union following the announcement of the Windsor Framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13668/23]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (21 Mar 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: 838. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a pensioner (details supplied) who is in receipt of other State supports such, as the household benefits package, does not qualify for the living-alone allowance, despite the fact that they are living alone; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13522/23]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Quarterly Update on Matters relating to Minister of State's Remit: Discussion (22 Mar 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: Is that work under way?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Quarterly Update on Matters relating to Minister of State's Remit: Discussion (22 Mar 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: The sooner the better.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Quarterly Update on Matters relating to Minister of State's Remit: Discussion (22 Mar 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: To follow up on the Chair's remarks on uninsured drivers, the committee has had engagement on this matter and the Road Traffic and Roads Bill will deal with certain scenarios. There was talk of the British legislation and the idea that a car as opposed to a person is uninsured. That would place a greater onus on us to ensure this does not happen. However, one of the big problems is the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Quarterly Update on Matters relating to Minister of State's Remit: Discussion (22 Mar 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: Motorcycling Ireland raised an issue yesterday. The Minister of State may have heard some of the material in the public domain about the difficulties it has with getting insurance. It spoke about the huge importance of the sport. We have a large number of issues, covering everything from community centres to community groups when it comes to public liability insurance. I will ask the...