Results 7,321-7,340 of 9,160 for speaker:Thomas Pringle

Remediation of Dwellings Damaged By the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Bill 2022: Committee Stage (6 Jul 2022)

Thomas Pringle: This amendment goes to the crux of all of the issues around this Bill and what is happening in connection with it. Unfortunately, I believe this Bill is an attempt to save the State money. That is what it is all about. This sets that out. The Government's original definition of a "dwelling" is that it "means a house and does not include an apartment, maisonette or duplex". Is it that...

Remediation of Dwellings Damaged By the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (6 Jul 2022)

Thomas Pringle: This points to the problem with the Bill and flags up the issue that it must be all-inclusive and cover all of the requirements. There is no doubt that if the materials used in making the blocks are the same materials that were used in making the foundations, then that is reality of the situation. If the blocks are dodgy then the foundations could be dodgy as well, and that needs to be...

Remediation of Dwellings Damaged By the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (6 Jul 2022)

Thomas Pringle: I move amendment No. 10: In page 7, between lines 9 and 10, to insert the following: “ “standards assessment and compliance report” has the meaning given to it by section 41;”. I will not address the amendment because it stands for itself. I want to move on so that we can get through these as quickly as possible to actually get to the ones that the mica...

Remediation of Dwellings Damaged By the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (6 Jul 2022)

Thomas Pringle: I move amendment No. 15: In page 8, to delete lines 34 to 37 and substitute the following: “(11) For the purposes of making a recommendation, the Housing Agency shall consult with— (a) the local authority which made the request, and (b) affected homeowners’ representative groups, including nominated competent building professionals (as defined in Part 2of this Act)...

Remediation of Dwellings Damaged By the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (6 Jul 2022)

Thomas Pringle: I fully support the amendment. The committee showed that IS 465 is not fit for purpose. The mica people had experts there who were worldwide experts on pyrrhotite and other things. Their input could have been listened to and taken on board. IS 465 could be amended to make it worthwhile and fit for purpose. I ask the Minister even at this late stage to consider that because it is vital...

Remediation of Dwellings Damaged By the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (6 Jul 2022)

Thomas Pringle: This amendment is vital to anyone who supports Deputy Cian O’Callaghan in what he said. The Minister stated earlier, in response to a previous amendment, that while he cannot instruct, he can ask. That is something we should be doing. It is vitally important to make sure that the scheme is fit for purpose. In that context, the Minister should ask that a report be provided as...

Remediation of Dwellings Damaged By the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (6 Jul 2022)

Thomas Pringle: The Minister is adamant that this is a much improved scheme and that everybody should accept it on that basis. I do not believe anybody has argued that this is not an improvement on the previous scheme. The problem is that it is not improved enough. The problem is that families are going to have to wait to go through the third iteration of this coming around to actually get redress and to...

Remediation of Dwellings Damaged By the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (6 Jul 2022)

Thomas Pringle: It will fail people as well.

Communications (Retention of Data) (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Jul 2022)

Thomas Pringle: I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for the opportunity to speak to the amendment. It is important. I note there are a number of amendments from other Members that propose to generally achieve the same outcome. I may have a bit of a problem with Deputy Howlin's amendment No. 1 in that I believe the timescale is far too long. This may be because I do not have the benefit of being in the...

Communications (Retention of Data) (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Jul 2022)

Thomas Pringle: I do not agree with Minister's explanation for why she cannot include this timeline. I accept the timeline I set was too tight, which is fair enough. Then let us have a longer timeline but we need to have a timeline. It does not make any sense not to have it. The Minister's rationale for not having it is completely wrong. She insists on saying that she does not agree with the court,...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: State Legal Services (5 Jul 2022)

Thomas Pringle: 85. To ask the Taoiseach the conditions that are placed on those who act as State solicitors around the country in order to protect the good name of the State in their everyday role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35272/22]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Prices (5 Jul 2022)

Thomas Pringle: 113. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the role that the Commission for Regulation of Utilities plays in the setting of gas and electricity unit prices and in the setting of standing charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36177/22]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Prices (5 Jul 2022)

Thomas Pringle: 114. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the regulatory and oversight responsibilities of the Commission for Regulation of Utilities in the energy market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36179/22]

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Jul 2022)

Thomas Pringle: I have been contacted by many constituents in recent months regarding ongoing issues relating to Bus Éireann. The service has become completely unreliable, with services being cancelled at the last minute and buses not showing up. This particularly affects my constituency of Donegal because it has no train service and buses are the only form of public transport available. In just one...

Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (7 Jul 2022)

Thomas Pringle: Like my colleague, Deputy Connolly, I will put on record my concerns about how this Bill is being brought forward in the rushed way it is, and how it is changing completely between now and Committee Stage next week. This is a real problem. It does not lead to proper democratic oversight of how the Bill progresses. It is symptomatic of how this Government treats the end of term that is now...

Confidence in Government: Motion (12 Jul 2022)

Thomas Pringle: The programme for Government contains 66 headings. After two years, it has failed under most, if not all, of them. For my constituents in Donegal, it has failed on mica, farming, fishing, protecting the vulnerable, transport, broadband, homelessness, public housing, affordable housing, energy and emissions targets. It has failed family carers, mother and baby home survivors, people with...

Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund: Motion (12 Jul 2022)

Thomas Pringle: Although I agree with the principles of the amendment to AMIF, I am sceptical of the pact on which it is based. I am concerned that it will only further reinforce European policies focused on externalisation, deterrence, containment and return. Following the mass influx of displaced persons from Ukraine, I understand the need for increased financial aid and that facilitating access to...

Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space: Motion (12 Jul 2022)

Thomas Pringle: This debate has thrown up all the different types of "Star Trek" references and every other reference to space and space use. I was thinking about speaking on this motion on my way down to Dublin today. There was an item on the radio about the James Webb telescope which has sent fancy pictures back of the formation of the galaxy many thousands of years ago. It was probably appropriate that...

Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2022 [Seanad]: Instruction to Committee (13 Jul 2022)

Thomas Pringle: I am sorry to interrupt, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle; is there a copy of the speech?

Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2022 [Seanad]: Instruction to Committee (13 Jul 2022)

Thomas Pringle: This happens very often now, and has done since Covid, that Ministers arrive without a copy of the speech. The very least we should have is a speech, especially on something as rushed as this legislation.