Results 641-660 of 3,701 for speaker:Martin Heydon

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Taxation Review: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Jul 2014)

Martin Heydon: I thank the delegations for their attendance. I will not repeat the points made by other members. Land mobility is a key issue. We need to encourage people to participate in land leasing. Capital acquisitions tax and agricultural relief are crucial to land mobility. For younger farmers to have the opportunity to access and to grow their enterprises, we must encourage more people to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: General Scheme of Horse Racing Ireland (Amendment) Bill 2014: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Jul 2014)

Martin Heydon: I thank the witnesses for their detailed presentations. Our engagement on this legislation thus far has been good. It is the committee's first time dealing with pre-legislative scrutiny of a Bill. In my view, this will prove its merits when we come to deal with the more detailed elements of the Bill. We had a particularly good engagement last Tuesday with four different delegations in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: General Scheme of Horse Racing Ireland (Amendment) Bill 2014: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Jul 2014)

Martin Heydon: If in ten years there is a question mark over somebody in Horse Racing Ireland relating, for example, to a role in a fixtures committee or a vested interest, are the witnesses happy with third party binding arbitration? Is that only for funding?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: General Scheme of Horse Racing Ireland (Amendment) Bill 2014: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Jul 2014)

Martin Heydon: If there was a need for the regulatory body to investigate Horse Racing Ireland, is there any risk?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: General Scheme of Horse Racing Ireland (Amendment) Bill 2014: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Jul 2014)

Martin Heydon: It is not the case that HRI is currently answerable to the Turf Club.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: General Scheme of Horse Racing Ireland (Amendment) Bill 2014: Discussion (16 Sep 2014)

Martin Heydon: I thank the groups for their very detailed presentations. They have obviously all put considerable work into them and brought their experience of their relevant industries to the table, which is what this pre-legislative stage is all about. I start with Mr. Phil Meaney and Ms Geraldine Larkin's presentation on behalf of Bord na gCon. We spent a great deal of time in the committee recently...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: General Scheme of Horse Racing Ireland (Amendment) Bill 2014: Discussion (16 Sep 2014)

Martin Heydon: The Petrus Consulting report, which highlighted how racecourses are not generating sufficient profits to fund necessary development to maintain current infrastructure in the future, was mentioned. Reductions in the Horse and Greyhound Fund have taken their toll, but the Government has worked hard to maintain funding levels, knowing that previous reductions cut to the bone. The new media...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: General Scheme of Horse Racing Ireland (Amendment) Bill 2014: Discussion (16 Sep 2014)

Martin Heydon: I have some comments to make on the presentation. I refer to the point made about membership of the board. Every group present has been vocal about the issue of board membership and it is a factor we must consider as part of our report and recommendations. There is a need for a balance between having good representation and a board that is unwieldy and unworkable. We take on board the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: General Scheme of Horse Racing Ireland (Amendment) Bill 2014: Discussion (16 Sep 2014)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Turf Club representatives for their presentation today and the different elements of it. Integrity has been discussed with all of the different stakeholders we had here before now, including the importance of ensuring it. As I have recorded here before, integrity is something one takes for granted when one has it and if one loses it, it takes a long time to get it back. The...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Local Improvement Scheme (17 Sep 2014)

Martin Heydon: 1708. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will extend funding to the local improvement scheme in 2015 in view of the value for money and significant improvements recent funding of the community involvement scheme has brought about; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34093/14]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Vote 30 - Update on Pre-Budget and Policy Issues: Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (23 Sep 2014)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Minister and his officials for coming before the committee. I will not rehash the areas touched on, but will ask a general question on trade and trade missions. I am mindful, looking at beef, that the key thing about getting into America is not necessarily quantity, but rather the quality of the cuts they take and, reputationally, how much that helps us. What is the difference...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Vote 30 - Update on Pre-Budget and Policy Issues: Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (23 Sep 2014)

Martin Heydon: The mid-year output for TSE testing is at 32,500. These tests were not outlined in the 2014 target. Is there a reason they were conducted despite the fact that no targets were in place? Are there targets?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Vote 30 - Update on Pre-Budget and Policy Issues: Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (23 Sep 2014)

Martin Heydon: My question is on tuberculosis testing. The projected outturn or target is 8.4 million tests, while 8.5 million tests were carried out last year. How do we get rid of TB and, by extension, TB testing? We have made good progress in recent years, but surely the more progress we make the harder it is to get rid of the last of it. Is it realistic to suggest that we can eradicate TB when we...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Water Charges Administration (25 Sep 2014)

Martin Heydon: 47. To ask the Minister for Social Protection her views on the request by Irish Water for the use of individual PPS numbers; the reason this is required by Irish Water; the provisions her Department will make to ensure that such information once provided to Irish Water is secure and used correctly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36377/14]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Shared Ownership Scheme (25 Sep 2014)

Martin Heydon: 259. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the review of the shared ownership scheme with particular reference to the 4.5% rental increase which had previously been suspended and which is causing hardship for many householders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36291/14]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Capital Assistance Scheme Funding (25 Sep 2014)

Martin Heydon: 265. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the assistance and financial supports available for local communities who are interested in developing independent living facilities in their area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36371/14]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Irish Water Administration (25 Sep 2014)

Martin Heydon: 268. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the steps his Department will take or the action that has already been taken with Irish Water to address the sending of letters to incorrect addresses and wrong individuals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36378/14]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Electricity Transmission Network (25 Sep 2014)

Martin Heydon: 274. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the work of the expert group reviewing the Gridlink project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36339/14]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Service Speeds (25 Sep 2014)

Martin Heydon: 272. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the roll-out of improved broadband services in an area (details supplied) in County Kildare; when he expects the mapping process to be concluded and published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36335/14]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Green Paper on Energy Publication (25 Sep 2014)

Martin Heydon: 273. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the review of the Green Paper on energy policy; the consultation process of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36337/14]