Results 5,681-5,700 of 5,732 for speaker:Fidelma Healy Eames

Seanad: Harbours Bill 2015: Committee Stage (16 Dec 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Did the Minister say 90%?

Seanad: Harbours Bill 2015: Committee Stage (16 Dec 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I thank the Minister for his reply. I welcome the fact that he will not apply the Bill's provisions to Galway for 18 months, a development of which I was aware. My concern is that decisions which are made now, without seeing the realisation of our very ambitious plans in Galway Port, would limit, hinder and disadvantage the growth of the port. As Senator Barrett outlined, Galway Port is...

Seanad: Harbours Bill 2015: Committee Stage (16 Dec 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I am just seeking clarification. Would a tier 2 designation not have helped? Putting ports such as Galway into the control of local authorities is very worrying - I understand that everybody in the House has been singing the same tune in this regard - despite the Minister's explanation of the structures and the shareholding. Our councils already have too much on their plates and I do not...

Seanad: Harbours Bill 2015: Committee Stage (16 Dec 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: It has much to do with it.

Seanad: Harbours Bill 2015: Committee Stage (16 Dec 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: It has absolutely loads to do with it. Would the funding model that currently supports councils be relied upon for ports? I hope the answer is no.

Seanad: Harbours Bill 2015: Committee Stage (16 Dec 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I support this amendment. It would be a retrograde step if a harbour master were not present. I am not familiar with the other ports, but having been at meetings in Galway Port I am familiar with the expertise that has been presented to us by the harbour master and the people who are on the front line at that facility. If we failed to take on board the expertise of the key people who are...

Seanad: Harbours Bill 2015: Committee Stage (16 Dec 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: There is an important distinction here. What I understood was being said and certainly what I was saying was that the better model for our ports and harbours as referred to in the Bill did not involve them being under the jurisdiction of local authorities. However, if they will be under the jurisdiction of local authorities, the democratic process is important. The more members that are...

Seanad: Harbours Bill 2015: Committee Stage (16 Dec 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I support Senator Barrett's amendment. What is the logic behind this? Is it expediency? It could be one of the biggest decisions that was ever made. Perhaps then they would not need to attend to respond to it. It does not make sense. I completely agree with Senator Barrett that if we are talking about accountability they need to be present.

Seanad: Harbours Bill 2015: Committee Stage (16 Dec 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I understand what subsection (1) states about the local authority requiring the chairperson or chief executive to attend. However, if a new resolution were taken within six months of a previous appearance, would it not be necessary for the person to attend? The new resolution might be one of the biggest decisions to be made in the history of a particular port. Will the Minister clarify that?

Seanad: Harbours Bill 2015: Committee Stage (16 Dec 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: A mandatory appearance is built into subsection (1), but in subsection (2) it states that if a person appeared less than six months ago, he or she would not have to appear until six months had passed since his or her previous appearance, even if there were a new resolution as referred to in that subsection. If a new and important decision were to be made but within six months of the previous...

Seanad: Harbours Bill 2015: Committee Stage (16 Dec 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: They can still invite them in.

Seanad: Harbours Bill 2015: Committee Stage (16 Dec 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Okay.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Traffic Management (13 Jan 2016)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire agus guím bliain nua faoi mhaise dó. The chronic traffic situation we experience in Galway on an ongoing basis is getting worse. I propose one immediate solution to bring some relief which I want to discuss with the Minister and seek his advice on its implementation. The issue is the need for the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Traffic Management (13 Jan 2016)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I thank the Minister for his answer, which is disappointing because I proposed a solution in the absence of adequate buses. The Minister said taking the bus to school or work is a good idea. There are no buses in Galway city to take people to school. That is the problem. That is why I said one of my solutions was a dedicated bus system. There are not adequate buses. The response of the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Traffic Management (13 Jan 2016)

Fidelma Healy Eames: What immediate solutions does the Minister have to relieve traffic gridlock in Galway?

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Traffic Management (13 Jan 2016)

Fidelma Healy Eames: One final point-----

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Traffic Management (13 Jan 2016)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I agree that bus lanes should be kept for buses-----

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Traffic Management (13 Jan 2016)

Fidelma Healy Eames: -----but where the number of buses is not adequate, that is not an adequate answer. It is fine when more buses are provided.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Traffic Management (13 Jan 2016)

Fidelma Healy Eames: It is easy to pull them off but in the meantime, the Minister needs to consider better and more immediate solutions for Galway. I do not accept that this is in anyway a funny matter. It is a very serious issue for our city.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jan 2016)

Fidelma Healy Eames: It is an old story.