Results 641-660 of 2,988 for speaker:James O'Connor

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Broadband Plan Update: National Broadband Ireland (27 Jan 2022)

James O'Connor: I appreciate that and I can relay the message to Ms W. An important general point is that many employers with operations in rural communities are contacting me. One recent inquiry concerned a large employer at Rathcormac, which employs more than 150 people. I highlighted this case to representatives of NBI before. There is a concern about the prospect of waiting two to three years for...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Broadband Plan Update: National Broadband Ireland (27 Jan 2022)

James O'Connor: Very good. Concerning the limitations with exchanges, this issue arises in rural areas especially and particularly with families building on greenfield sites. Prior to going into politics, I was not even aware that there was an issue if a farmer's son or daughter, for example, was building a new property and wanted to get a phone line installed. There are areas, though, and Inch happens to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Broadband Plan Update: National Broadband Ireland (27 Jan 2022)

James O'Connor: If it is not doing so, I suppose-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Broadband Plan Update: National Broadband Ireland (27 Jan 2022)

James O'Connor: ComReg has a role here. I did not realise-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Broadband Plan Update: National Broadband Ireland (27 Jan 2022)

James O'Connor: Okay. That is interesting. We have limited time, so I will summarise my points. This project is important for businesses that are large employers, especially for those rural areas lucky enough to have a company employing more than 100 people. I come from Youghal, where approximately 10,000 to 12,000 people live. We have no private employer with more than 100 employees. Some rural areas...

Legacy Issues in Northern Ireland and New Decade, New Approach: Statements (1 Feb 2022)

James O'Connor: I am delighted to have an opportunity to make a statement on New Decade, New Approach. I was recently in Northern Ireland and I found it extraordinarily interesting getting the different perspectives of people in the Northern Ireland business community through the Ireland's Future event which I attended. I also found it extraordinarily interesting how deeply felt the frustrations are among...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Disadvantaged Status (1 Feb 2022)

James O'Connor: I appreciate that, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Disadvantaged Status (1 Feb 2022)

James O'Connor: Tuigim, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Go raibh maith agat. I broadly support some of the points that were made by Deputy Doherty to say this is an enormously important issue. Under the current criteria, it is an enormous problem, particularly in the east Cork area with reference to Youghal. It faces enormous economic hardship but is not being included in DEIS, which is of huge interest to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Policy (1 Feb 2022)

James O'Connor: 125. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the senior cycle review including the planned implementation of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4673/22]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Funding (1 Feb 2022)

James O'Connor: 167. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the supports her Department can provide for the further development of organisations (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4672/22]

Easing of Covid-19 Restrictions: Statements (2 Feb 2022)

James O'Connor: I acknowledge the extraordinary effort and work that has been put in at all levels of our health service. I am sure the Ministers of State will join me in paying tribute to those who have been working on the front line of the Covid-19 situation in our hospitals, especially in intensive care units given the stress and strain on workers in that setting. The National Ambulance Service has also...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Post Office Network (3 Feb 2022)

James O'Connor: 11. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her strategy to support the rural post office network; the additional departmental services that could be provided via the network; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5388/22]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Post Office Network (3 Feb 2022)

James O'Connor: My apologies; I have just come from a meeting of the Committee of Public Accounts. I wish to ask a quick question regarding the post office network. As a rural Deputy, I acknowledge the tremendous work the Minister has been doing for rural affairs. However, in improving our rural post office network, what additional services can her Department work with An Post to provide across so many...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Post Office Network (3 Feb 2022)

James O'Connor: Gabhaim buíochas leis an t-Aire. I am delighted to hear of the return of the jobseeker’s payment to the post office system. It is worth putting on record that what happened in the banking sector in rural Ireland is a cause of worry. Services were stripped away and, unfortunately, many banks throughout rural Ireland became untenable. It is very important that we continue to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Post Office Network (3 Feb 2022)

James O'Connor: 10 o’clock Tá sé sin ar fheabhas ar fad agus gabhaim buíochas mór leis an Aire. I must return now to the Committee on Public Accounts. I thank the Minister very much for answers.

Public Accounts Committee: Transport Infrastructure Ireland: Financial Statements 2020 (3 Feb 2022)

James O'Connor: I apologise that I had to remove myself from the room to ask a parliamentary question in the Dáil. I apologise to Deputy Carthy for walking in front of him. The witnesses are welcome. We have met a number of times. Mr. Walsh must be sick of me at this stage. We have many important things to talk about. On a positive note, it is important to acknowledge that many of the points I...

Public Accounts Committee: Transport Infrastructure Ireland: Financial Statements 2020 (3 Feb 2022)

James O'Connor: Are both of the projects on budget?

Public Accounts Committee: Transport Infrastructure Ireland: Financial Statements 2020 (3 Feb 2022)

James O'Connor: I was under the impression that in the case of Dunkettle, there was a significant overspend on what had originally been budgeted. Is that actually not the case?

Public Accounts Committee: Transport Infrastructure Ireland: Financial Statements 2020 (3 Feb 2022)

James O'Connor: Okay. That is good to hear. My next question relates to the area of the planning process which I spoke about here before. The Attorney General is undertaking a very large project. Has TII had any engagement with him in regard to the reform of the planning process?

Public Accounts Committee: Transport Infrastructure Ireland: Financial Statements 2020 (3 Feb 2022)

James O'Connor: I wish to move on to an important point about finances. Over the past year, an issue arose with regard to expenditure on the N73. TII's use of the term "funding uncertainty" has grown over the course of the past six months. Is there any update on the delay that happened in September? Will that project be going ahead? Has Mr. Walsh any information for that committee on that?