Results 4,321-4,340 of 4,720 for speaker:Neale Richmond

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Middle East (7 Mar 2024)

Neale Richmond: I again thank the Deputy for his comments. We all agree that the Government has certainly not been silent when it comes to this brutal conflict in Gaza nor have we been inactive. We have to back our words of condemnation with proactive approaches, building alliances within the EU and the UN as well as putting our money where our mouth is by backing the actions of the ICJ and UNWRA. More...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Road Network (7 Mar 2024)

Neale Richmond: I sincerely thank Deputy Murphy for bringing up this issue. I welcome the opportunity to discuss this topic with Members on behalf of the Minister for Transport. I understand that the Deputy’s question primarily relates to the current system for calculating funding allocations for the protection and renewal of the regional and local road network. I will provide some information...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Road Network (7 Mar 2024)

Neale Richmond: I again thank Deputy Murphy and reassure her that the Government is fully committed to the protection and renewal of our new road network in each of the counties in the jurisdiction of the State. The Department believes the methodology is an equitable and proportionate approach that allows fairness and transparency throughout the process and also prevents unintended consequences. I fully...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: National Monuments (7 Mar 2024)

Neale Richmond: I would like to thank the Senator for her tireless campaigning for this development. It is the sixth time she has raised it in this Chamber and the second time with me. I know her work on the Moore Street advisory group has been key to the progress. I am happy to give her an update on where we are at and what is coming but first I wish to pick her up on one comment. I love Moore Street....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: National Monuments (7 Mar 2024)

Neale Richmond: I absolutely share the frustration and do not equivocate on that. Apart from the unresolved planning matters, however, significant preparatory work remains to be done, with designs to be finalised, before tenders can be invited. It would be remiss of me or the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan, to make promises that might later turn out to have been unduly optimistic, but I will absolute...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Financial Services (7 Mar 2024)

Neale Richmond: I am grateful to the Senator for raising this timely and pertinent issue. A robust consumer protection framework is in place in respect of mortgages and other credit agreements.The consumer protection framework seeks to ensure that all Central Bank-regulated entities are transparent and fair in all their dealings with borrowers and that borrowers are protected from the beginning to the end...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Financial Services (7 Mar 2024)

Neale Richmond: Should it be necessary, the Minister for Finance has indicated that he is, of course, willing to consider a legislative amendment to address the issue raised by recent ombudsman decisions, if that is possible. In that regard, the Minister has asked the Department of Finance to engage as a matter of priority with the ombudsman and Central Bank on the issues raised and to obtain the necessary...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Road Projects (7 Mar 2024)

Neale Richmond: Senator Lombard knows that if I was going to start talking about the Inishannon bypass, he would be the first to call me out by telling me it is nonsense and I should know better. I am not going to do that. I admire and I am very grateful for the Senator's constant campaigning on this issue. Having sat in his office in Bandon and having spoken to the local businesspeople and residents of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Road Projects (7 Mar 2024)

Neale Richmond: I fully understand and appreciate the Senator's frustration. Even though we have seen €58 million in Exchequer funding being allocated to the national road network, both in Cork city and county in 2024, that is of little comfort to the people of Bandon, who simply want to see progress on this vitally important infrastructural and societal project. As I said, I have made a...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Disability Services (7 Mar 2024)

Neale Richmond: The Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, asked me to pass on her personal thanks to the Senator for his understanding of the situation this morning. She appreciates him taking the time to talk last night. Regarding the specific needs of the Creaney family in Athy, she has taken the correspondence the Senator provided her office on board. While the relevant points in the correspondence of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Disability Services (7 Mar 2024)

Neale Richmond: I want to underline that the Government shares the Senator’s absolute concern. Of course, I will bring back the message that is being heard loud and clear by the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, and the entirety of her team. The Minister of State will continue to be heavily involved in advancing the roadmap for service improvements in order to, among other things, improve the...

Seanad: European Arrest Warrant (Amendment) Bill 2022: Motion (7 Mar 2024)

Neale Richmond: An amendment made to the Bill in this House required further amendment. The amendment was made by the Minister of State, Deputy James Browne, in the Dáil yesterday and now returns for consideration in this House. By way of background, two amendments were made on Seanad Report Stage, one each to sections 9 and 10 of the Bill, which amend sections 15 and 16 of the principal Act,...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Employment Rights (7 Mar 2024)

Neale Richmond: Ireland has a robust framework of legislative protections and supports for workers who are impacted by redundancy. This includes: The Protection of Employment Act 1977, as amended, which requires employers in collective redundancy situations to consult with employees’ representatives and to notify the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment before implementing redundancies....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Enterprise Support Services (20 Mar 2024)

Neale Richmond: I sincerely thank Senator McGreehan for bringing forward this very important issue. At the outset, I will take the liberty to address my response not just to Senator McGreehan, but to the school kids who are in the Visitors Gallery because this is really important. We are dealing with a very important issue for every one of them and they are very welcome to the people's House and the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Enterprise Support Services (20 Mar 2024)

Neale Richmond: My office is always open to the Senator. I mean that sincerely. Last year, we increased national funding for local enterprise offices by €9 million. We gave them additional funding so they can not only maintain current programmes but can do more programmes. However, if the team in County Louth feel they do not have sufficient resources, the Department will of course be more than...

Microenterprise Loan Fund (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (20 Mar 2024)

Neale Richmond: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to introduce the Microenterprise Loan Fund (Amendment) Bill 2024 here today. Essentially, the Bill will provide a statutory basis for the transfer of Microfinance Ireland into State ownership, under the remit of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Before commenting on the specifics of the Bill, I wish to...

Microenterprise Loan Fund (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (20 Mar 2024)

Neale Richmond: I thank the three Deputies for their contributions. I would like to particularly thank Deputy Quinlivan for his chairing of the Oireachtas joint committee and its proactive work in the pre-legislative scrutiny of this Bill. As ever, it is really appreciated in relation to parliamentary work. Perhaps the Ceann Comhairle can clarify - is "rascal" an allowed word in this Chamber? I am not...

Microenterprise Loan Fund (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (20 Mar 2024)

Neale Richmond: I do not think Deputy Ó Murchú will take umbrage if I describe him as being a bit of a rascal in some of his line of questioning but he raised serious points concerning businesses, if perhaps a little bit more philosophical when it comes to the politics of today.

Microenterprise Loan Fund (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (20 Mar 2024)

Neale Richmond: On supports, two areas are receiving immediate response because of the report by the Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment, referenced by Deputy Quinlivan. It is extremely important to show how tough it is for many businesses in general but also because of many of the legislative and policy changes introduced in this House, supported by all parties present, particularly in sectors...

Microenterprise Loan Fund (Amendment) Bill 2024: Referral to Select Committee (20 Mar 2024)

Neale Richmond: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment pursuant to Standing Orders 95 and 181.