Results 8,161-8,180 of 28,162 for speaker:Catherine Murphy

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (17 May 2017)

Catherine Murphy: The role of these hearings is pre-legislative scrutiny. When that is done well, it assists the passage of the legislation. That is why we are asking different people for different perspectives. I have a number of questions and would like short answers, so that I can get answers to all of them. I am not being rude but I might stop the witnesses. We are looking for robust evidence....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (17 May 2017)

Catherine Murphy: I wanted to get that aspect out of the way. There is a tabular statement on the second page of the chief executive officer's statement. I have questioned this aspect before. I have not figured it out but perhaps it is an anomaly. A higher number of people have been killed in the 21 mg to 50 mg category than in the next category of 51 mg to 80 mg. Why? Is it an anomaly?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (17 May 2017)

Catherine Murphy: The data makes it look like one is a higher risk in the lower category.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (17 May 2017)

Catherine Murphy: I refer the witnesses to their opening statement, which states "573 drivers had a fixed penalty of €200 and three penalty points". The authority is saying that the sanction of putting somebody off the road is a greater deterrent. The category of 80 mg and over refers to the heavier drinkers and their number seems to be rising. It can very much depend on campaigns, like the one...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (17 May 2017)

Catherine Murphy: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (17 May 2017)

Catherine Murphy: The morning after is an issue. I do not dispute that the RSA has gathered evidence. I think there are people who try to be responsible. They would not want to stray into the area of putting themselves at risk of getting penalty points, let alone lose a licence. The sanctions, not the level of alcohol present, are likely to change with this legislation. With professional drivers it is 20...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (17 May 2017)

Catherine Murphy: Can people estimate the impact? A lot of alcohol is consumed at home, which makes it more difficult to keep track of consumption. People are less likely to use measures etc. when drinking at home. Is there any guidance on this matter?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (17 May 2017)

Catherine Murphy: According to the opening statement, "A total of 25 drivers and motorcyclists with a confirmed BAC between 21 mg and 80 mg were responsible" which was mentioned as part of the RSA's conclusions. Was the finding absolutely conclusive?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (17 May 2017)

Catherine Murphy: The vintners association questioned the findings, which is part of the reason we are having this discussion. It reduced the numbers.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (17 May 2017)

Catherine Murphy: The vintners looked at the cohort of accidents where alcohol was a contributing factor, as against the total number of people killed on our roads. They said it was a percentage of a percentage. I am sure that the RSA will dispute the analysis and I am sure the RSA paid attention to what was said. Can the witnesses address the issue?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (17 May 2017)

Catherine Murphy: How does the overestimation of the number of breathalyser tests distort, or does it have the potential to distort, the analysis of the Road Safety Authority in its work to ensure road safety?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (17 May 2017)

Catherine Murphy: In this report.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: General Scheme of Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty - Drink Driving) Bill 2017: Discussion (Resumed) (17 May 2017)

Catherine Murphy: I accept that.

Other Questions: Sale of State Assets (18 May 2017)

Catherine Murphy: 8. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will use the proceeds from the sale of a bank (details supplied) to fund the State's infrastructure deficit and invest in housing and health services, rather than paying down the national debt; if he will publish the cost-benefit analysis of selling the bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23573/17]

Other Questions: Sale of State Assets (18 May 2017)

Catherine Murphy: 19. To ask the Minister for Finance if Dáil Éireann will be allowed to vote before a final decision is made on the future of a State-owned bank (details supplied) given that the bank is 99.9% owned by the State and received €20.8 billion in public funds when it was bailed out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23560/17]

Other Questions: Sale of State Assets (18 May 2017)

Catherine Murphy: Both questions relate to the possible sale of a portion of AIB, something that should not happen in advance of a Dáil vote and the publication of a cost-benefit analysis. However, as a result of a motion passed by the Dáil earlier today preventing the sale of AIB in advance of the renegotiation of the fiscal rules, these questions might be irrelevant at this stage

Other Questions: Sale of State Assets (18 May 2017)

Catherine Murphy: The result of the vote earlier has not changed anything in terms of a reply I received previously on this matter. What I am seeking is a cost benefit analysis and that the Dáil be the final arbiter in voting on this issue. It was the people who took on board the cost of bailing out the bank which is 99.9% owned by the State. Whether it is to be sold, we need to see a cost benefit...

Other Questions: Sale of State Assets (18 May 2017)

Catherine Murphy: That shows how eminently wise the Dáil was today in voting not to sell AIB shares until the fiscal rules were renegotiated. The rules favour the economies of countries where infrastructure is more developed. We will end up incurring fines, for example, owing to missing climate change targets because we do not have the ability to spend money on required projects and that will produce a...

Other Questions: Help-To-Buy Scheme (18 May 2017)

Catherine Murphy: Will the Minister confirm that he will respect the vote result on the motion passed earlier today on the sale of shares in AIB?

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda College (18 May 2017)

Catherine Murphy: 39. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she has briefed or had any contact with or from the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement regarding the ongoing issues relating to the historical and-or current financial arrangements at Templemore Garda College; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23720/17]