Results 6,581-6,600 of 10,591 for speaker:Patrick O'Donovan

Financial Provisions (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Jul 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: I apologise to Deputy Doherty. I should have made this point to him earlier. The mechanism between the SBCI and the pillar banks is not included in the legislation because it is factored in through memoranda of understanding between them. As to when it is envisaged the Government may wish to access the scheme, there is no date, but what I can say is that access to the SURE facility will...

Financial Provisions (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Jul 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: The SBCI and the pillar banks operate, as the Deputy will be aware, on the basis of the commercial memorandum that is in place. It is a commercial decision. It is operated on in people's best interests and to make sure people are protected. It is not intended to be published as part of this and is part of the regular relationship that exists between the SBCI and the pillar banks.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Traffic Management (16 Jul 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Phoenix Park is a wonderful resource for all recreational users, both local and national. The issue of traffic through the Park, and in particular by which gates traffic should be admitted , is a complex one with arguments on both sides as to whether the peripheral gates, which had been closed due to the pandemic in consultation with An Garda Síochána, ought to remain closed to...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (16 Jul 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Raheny (Santry River) Flood Protection Project was initiated and carried out by Dublin City Council following major fluvial flooding in 1986, 2008, 2009 and 2011. The first phase was constructed in 2013 and comprised of works to attenuate flood flows upstream of Harmonstown Road Bridge. Progression of a further Santry Flood Relief Scheme to augment the existing Scheme was identified as...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Traffic Management (16 Jul 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Office of Public Works is currently conducting traffic counts at a number of locations throughout the Phoenix Park and this data collection has been expanded to included all entrances from Monday 20th of July. OPW is now seeking to undertake a comprehensive analysis of transport and mobility in the Park which will include a detailed consultation with a range of stakeholders to inform...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Cycling Facilities (16 Jul 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: In response to the public health advices surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, The Office of Public Works introduced 7 kms of new cycle lanes adjacent to the main spine of the Park on Chesterfield Avenue in order to ensure sufficient space was created for social distancing on the inner pathways and to ensure the safety of both cyclists and pedestrians. OPW is now collecting usage data for...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Prevention Measures (21 Jul 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: An application to the OPW was submitted by Tipperary County Council under the remedial works element of the 2017 voluntary homeowners relocation scheme. A letter approving the required funding to Tipperary County Council for proposed works to protect two properties at Borrisoleigh road issued from the Commissioners of Public Works on 13 July LAST.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Prevention Measures (21 Jul 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: I understand Deputy Cahill's concerns regarding this matter. It was on that basis that the allocation was made by the OPW to Tipperary County Council of €244,950. It is a matter for the council to make sure that the money is spent in the appropriate fashion. I agree with Deputy Cahill that the families at the centre of this have suffered a lot. I hope and expect that the CEO of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Relief Schemes (21 Jul 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: I thank Deputy Brendan Smith for his kind wishes. In my previous role in the Department, the Deputy routinely asked similar questions to the one he has asked today. I look forward to working with him. I am advised that local flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each local authority to investigate and address. In this case, it would be the Cavan and Monaghan county...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Relief Schemes (21 Jul 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: I do not disagree with most of what the Deputy said. I am sure he will appreciate that I cannot make commitments on the floor of the Dáil with regard to the spending of OPW money. From my time as a county councillor, as a backbencher and as a Minister of State in two Departments up to now, I am aware that the engagement between local authorities and the OPW at a local level is crucial...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Relief Schemes (21 Jul 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: I agree with Deputy Brendan Smith. My colleague, the Minister, Deputy Michael McGrath, also appreciates the Deputy's sentiments. The more money he provides the OPW, the more I will be able to spend.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: State Properties (21 Jul 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: I know this is an area in which the Deputy has much interest and has raised in both the House and the Committee of Public Accounts. The State’s office accommodation portfolio is large and geographically dispersed. It currently comprises 543 buildings of various sizes totalling an estimated 888,000 sq. m of accommodation of which 61%, 542,000 sq. m is in owned buildings with the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: State Properties (21 Jul 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: I have given the Deputy no date. However, I will prioritise this during my tenure in the Department. I have only entered the Department in the past ten days. From my previous time on the Committee of Public Accounts, I know this issue constantly arose, particular concerning the balance between rent and purchase or build. It is worth noting that on rent alone, the OPW rental bill has...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: State Properties (21 Jul 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: I do not disagree with the Deputy. As I stated earlier in my reply, the decisions on whether we lease or build must have regard to several different factors. I referred to two of them, namely the operational requirements of the Departments and agencies. Many of them will come to the table with different and peculiar demands in a short period which we might not be able to fulfil. ...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Expenditure Policy (21 Jul 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 19 together. I thank Deputy Durkan. I apologise on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Michael McGrath, who has had to leave for a Cabinet sub-committee meeting. He asked me to take these questions on his behalf. Managing expenditure within allocations is the responsibility of every Department and its Minister. Significant additional expenditure...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Expenditure Policy (21 Jul 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: It is not possible at the moment to do what Deputy Durkan asks for a variety of reasons that will be outlined by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Michael McGrath, as part of the July stimulus initiative. The Department of Finance data for this quarter and forecasts for the remainder of the year and spending will be as accurate as is possible. While we have seen a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Expenditure Policy (21 Jul 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: There is a twofold element in that regard. The public spending code is one of the mechanisms the Government will have at its disposal in relation to the amount of moneys being spent. The ongoing monitoring within the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform of the individual Votes from this House to each of the Departments gives it an indication as to outturn not only annually but across...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Heritage Centres (21 Jul 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: I thank Deputy Griffin for his good wishes. I know that this is an issue he feels strongly about because he raised it with me in the immediate aftermath of my appointment. As the Deputy is aware, the OPW announced earlier this year that the Sceilg Mhichíl visitor site would not open at the scheduled date of 16 May because of Covid 19 concerns. In the context of the significant...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Heritage Centres (21 Jul 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: I thank Deputy Griffin. I have asked the Chairman of the Office of Public Works to review its decision in regard to this site. We are taking the matter very seriously. It is hoped that the review process will be completed before the end of July, which is only a couple of days away. It is worth pointing out that the Skelligs is unique in terms of its UNESCO status and in terms of access,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Heritage Centres (21 Jul 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: I thank the Deputy for his good wishes. A number of sites have closed and Sceilg Mhichíl is not the only one. Sites in Galway, Wexford, Laois, Clare, Dublin, Wicklow, Meath, Tipperary and Kildare are also closed. They are closed on the basis of health and safety, which is important to point out to the House. We have to be conscious of the potential of the virus to spread because we...