Results 6,421-6,440 of 10,591 for speaker:Patrick O'Donovan

Independent Radio Stations: Motion [Private Members] (28 Feb 2019)

Patrick O'Donovan: It is clear from this morning's debate that everybody in the House shares the concerns raised in the motion. The Opposition and Government agree and recognise the important part that independent radio stations play in society and the difficulties they are facing. As highlighted in the motion today, 83% of the population listen to radio daily. Radio stations, whether national or local, make...

Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Second Stage (Resumed) (28 Feb 2019)

Patrick O'Donovan: I welcome the opportunity to take part in this important debate. Brexit has rightly been described as one of the greatest challenges facing Ireland in recent decades. As we face into an uncertain future, I would like to start by reflecting on a number of things: on the very real achievements of the European Union over more than 60 years, on the benefits that membership has brought for...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Garda Deployment (28 Feb 2019)

Patrick O'Donovan: I thank the Senator for raising this important matter for the people of Drogheda and the wider area of counties Louth and Meath. I am taking this Commencement matter on behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Flanagan, who, unfortunately, is unable to be here. I know that the Senator, as well as Deputy O’Dowd, has been monitoring the position closely since the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Garda Deployment (28 Feb 2019)

Patrick O'Donovan: I understand the Senator's frustrations. I am not the Minister for Justice and Equality or a Minister in that Department. Senator Nash was a Minister of State and knows that when Ministers are not available, Ministers of State step in. That is what I have done this morning in relaying the response of the Minister for Justice and Equality. I hear the Senator's concern and I will relay it...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Office of Public Works Properties (28 Feb 2019)

Patrick O'Donovan: I am replying on behalf of my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Moran. The OPW manages more than 2,500 properties on behalf of the State. These include office accommodation, heritage properties, visitor centres, Garda stations, warehouses and others. An Garda Síochána is responsible for assigning residences to gardaí in line with its policing plans. The OPW disposes...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Office of Public Works Properties (28 Feb 2019)

Patrick O'Donovan: There appears to be a communication issue about some of the information that was provided, as it appears to be semi-contradictory. The best option would be for Senator Colm Burke to meet the Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Kevin Boxer Moran. I will have my office relay such a request to the Minister of State. I am sure Senator Burke's...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Procurement Tenders (5 Mar 2019)

Patrick O'Donovan: The awarding of public contracts is governed by the fundamental principles derived from the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union as they apply to public procurement. These include transparency, equal treatment and non-discrimination, proportionality and mutual recognition. The European Union directives set out the legal framework for the award of contracts that exceed the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Procurement Tenders (5 Mar 2019)

Patrick O'Donovan: On the national children's hospital, the Deputy will be aware from responses that have been given by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform that the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board sought, in advance of the contract being awarded, to apply for a derogation from the use of the standard works contract. This was established by the Government contracts committee for...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Procurement Tenders (5 Mar 2019)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Minister, Deputy Donohoe, addressed that issue both in the committee and in the House. Where there are issues of abnormally low tenders, the contracting authority, whether a public body or State agency, does not have to accept the tender, and I have outlined the reasons for that. As well as that, once a contract for a tender is awarded, there is a dispute resolution mechanism. There...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Sector Pensions Legislation (5 Mar 2019)

Patrick O'Donovan: I acknowledge the support of Deputy Cowen in the passage of the Bill. The Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Act 2018 provides for an increase to age 70 in the compulsory retirement age of most public servants recruited before 1 April 2004. As Deputy Michael McGrath will be aware, public servants who reached the compulsory retirement age of 65 before the new legislation was...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Sector Pensions Legislation (5 Mar 2019)

Patrick O'Donovan: Deputy Cowen, during the passage of the Bill, suggested a number of measures, as did Deputy Darragh O'Brien. I accepted the amendment in good faith to see if there was a remedy that could address that cohort. However, I put it on the record of the House and made it very clear that the spelling out of the legislation meant that those who entered into the interim arrangements when the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Sector Pensions Legislation (5 Mar 2019)

Patrick O'Donovan: I should not and do not want to pre-empt the content of the report. That is not my job. The provision of section 3A(6) requires that the report covers public servants who were forced to retire between the dates of 6 December 2017 and the commencement of the Act. It is also very clear that the report is to cover all public servants who reached the compulsory retirement age in that...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Relief Schemes Funding (5 Mar 2019)

Patrick O'Donovan: This is like the Westmeath county final.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Children's Hospital Expenditure (5 Mar 2019)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Deputy opposed it.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Reimbursement (5 Mar 2019)

Patrick O'Donovan: 314. To ask the Minister for Health if the delays associated with the supply of Spinraza will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10489/19]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Regional Development Initiatives (5 Mar 2019)

Patrick O'Donovan: 587. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when the south-east regional spatial strategy will be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10446/19]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Aids and Appliances Provision (12 Mar 2019)

Patrick O'Donovan: 456. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address a matter regarding a medical device (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12258/19]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Judicial Appointments (26 Mar 2019)

Patrick O'Donovan: 524. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide information regarding the Court of Appeal (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13387/19]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Reports (26 Mar 2019)

Patrick O'Donovan: 706. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address a matter regarding a report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13218/19]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: State Pension (Contributory) (26 Mar 2019)

Patrick O'Donovan: 1265. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a matter will be addressed regarding the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13230/19]