Results 541-560 of 4,026 for speaker:

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (4 Nov 2020)

Duncan Smith: At our meeting last week, the day of the Cabinet meeting, the Minister went in and said that we have to look at testing in the airport. It jarred with what we discussed here with the airlines that day, so it is good to see the Minister move this forward in what he said. That is where we want it to go. That is where the aviation industry wants to go. The airlines bemoaned a lack of...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (5 Nov 2020)

Duncan Smith: As the Tánaiste and the Minister are aware, there are still hundreds of Aer Lingus workers who are seeking the retrospective entitlement to short-time work under the period the company was in receipt of the temporary wage subsidy scheme. It is now November, the eighth month of the crisis. The delay or denial of this entitlement to workers cannot go on and despite seemingly positive...

Education (Admission to Schools) (Amendment) Bill 2020: Order for Second Stage [Private Members] (5 Nov 2020)

Duncan Smith: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Education (Admission to Schools) (Amendment) Bill 2020: Second Stage [Private Members] (5 Nov 2020)

Duncan Smith: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I will be sharing time with Deputy Ó Ríordáin if he arrives in time, or I would appreciate it if the Ceann Comhairle would put him on the slate for contributions. The Labour Party has presented this short, simple Bill which we believe to be very important. We are disappointed that the Government has chosen to submit an...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (10 Nov 2020)

Duncan Smith: I am seeking an update on the assisted human reproduction Bill. One element in particular, namely, the general scheme which dealt with posthumous reproduction, was introduced and went through pre-legislative scrutiny when the Minister, Deputy Harris, was Minister for Health. That has created an expectation among people who have to go through an unexpected and tragic time and must contend...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: International Agreements (10 Nov 2020)

Duncan Smith: 96. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the response by Ireland to the withdrawal of the United States of America from the Paris climate agreement; the impact the withdrawal will have on obligations of Ireland under the agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35326/20]

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: International Agreements (10 Nov 2020)

Duncan Smith: I submitted this question just after 4 November when the United States had withdrawn from the Paris climate agreement. They say a week is a long time in politics. Things look a little different now but I would still be interested in the Minister's thoughts on the decision of the United States, the time that has been lost since the United States first indicated it would leave in 2017 and how...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: International Agreements (10 Nov 2020)

Duncan Smith: I think so. The Paris climate agreement was signed in 2015. The Minister was present. He was not an officeholder at the time. I am not sure if he was a Deputy. It is worth saying it just shows the Minister's commitment to this goes beyond what office he holds. Many people on the left feel the need to caveat their congratulations to Joe Biden by saying they do not share his politics. I...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: International Agreements (10 Nov 2020)

Duncan Smith: It was encouraging for those of us with a passion for climate action that during this campaign, which took place during a pandemic and which was in many ways a referendum on the other fellow, anyone listening to Mr. Biden's message would know that the climate action agenda was running right through his campaign. That is very encouraging for the future. The Minister has given us a good...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Data Centres (10 Nov 2020)

Duncan Smith: 100. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of plans to develop efficiency standards of data centres as outlined in the programme for Government under the heading "Regulation Driving Climate Action"; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35068/20]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Data Centres (10 Nov 2020)

Duncan Smith: I was encouraged to see a reference to data centres under the climate action section of the programme for Government. My concern in regard to data centres is that they are a blind spot, not only for the Government, but for governments and states throughout western Europe and North America. I would like to hear the Minister's thoughts on the Government's plan for dealing with the carbon...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Data Centres (10 Nov 2020)

Duncan Smith: The Tallaght district heating scheme is very welcome and is something we support. However, it does not allay any concerns I have in regard to data centres. According to EirGrid, by 2028, data centres, along with other large users, will consume 29% of Ireland's electricity. We are already Europe’s data centre capital, with Amazon, Google and Microsoft having operations here. Dozens...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Data Centres (10 Nov 2020)

Duncan Smith: My other concern is that these data centres are light on creating jobs. For a building of such size, there may only be a couple of dozen workers there. We are dedicating large spaces to companies like Amazon, which has appalling workers' rights records throughout the globe, to create these massive data centres. I know these corporate purchasing power agreements are unsubsidised but I am...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (10 Nov 2020)

Duncan Smith: 143. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the policy statement on the importation of fracked gas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35067/20]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Programme for Government (10 Nov 2020)

Duncan Smith: 152. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the designated national retrofitting delivery body promised in the programme for Government by the end of 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35065/20]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: EU Issues (10 Nov 2020)

Duncan Smith: 218. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the Shannon LNG has been withdrawn from the EU Projects of Common Interest List; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35156/20]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (10 Nov 2020)

Duncan Smith: 219. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his Department is on track to facilitate allowing persons sell excess power back to the grid by June 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35158/20]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Efficiency (10 Nov 2020)

Duncan Smith: 228. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will review the process and guidelines for external wall insulation given that grants are being provided for same (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35258/20]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (10 Nov 2020)

Duncan Smith: 532. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on whether there is no legislative impediment to workers in a company (details supplied) to retrospectively apply for short-time work payments while the company was in receipt of the temporary wage subsidy scheme as has been indicated in previous parliamentary question replies; the steps an employee needs to take...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: State Pensions (10 Nov 2020)

Duncan Smith: 527. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for a State pension by a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35259/20]