Results 8,941-8,960 of 9,160 for speaker:Thomas Pringle

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Vehicle Registration Tax (4 Jul 2024)

Thomas Pringle: This question concerns the VRT scheme for disabled drivers. As the Minister will know, this has been on hold now since 2012 or 2013 and we have been waiting for a new scheme to come into place that will meet the needs of disabled drivers. What is the updated position in this regard?

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Vehicle Registration Tax (4 Jul 2024)

Thomas Pringle: At least the Department has changed the wording around a wee bit in this answer. Everybody who has asked a question about what is happening as regards changes to this scheme in recent years has received the same answer. At least a bit of initiative was shown to make it sound a bit different. In reality, however, basically nothing is happening. What is going to be done now is that another...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Vehicle Registration Tax (4 Jul 2024)

Thomas Pringle: Would a new scheme in line with international best practice take 12 years to design and put in place? I do not think that is in line with any best practice anywhere along the way. If the report the Minister referred to is prepared and ready for the autumn, will this be in time for the budget and for provisions to be made for a new scheme to be in place in January 2025? Is that what the...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (4 Jul 2024)

Thomas Pringle: Once again, the Government has stumbled blindly into yet another defective blocks fiasco of its own making. I know this will probably annoy and set off the Tánaiste, since he is convinced that the whole thing is sorted, but I am here to remind him again this week that it is not. Three weeks ago today, the Minister, Deputy Ryan, announced that SEAI grants would be available in a...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (4 Jul 2024)

Thomas Pringle: The grant scheme has been reduced for people with defective blocks.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (4 Jul 2024)

Thomas Pringle: Eamon Ryan is the Minister. The SEAI-----

Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (4 Jul 2024)

Thomas Pringle: I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the debate. I support this legislation and its intention to raise the minimum legal age of sale of tobacco products to 21 in an attempt to accelerate the decline in adult smoking prevalence. Smoking cigarettes has been proven to cause death, ill health and disability. Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in Ireland, and...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Disability Services (4 Jul 2024)

Thomas Pringle: I thank the Ceann Comhairle. Is the Minister of State, Deputy Smyth, taking this Topical Issue as well? Is he taking them all?

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Disability Services (4 Jul 2024)

Thomas Pringle: No offence to the Minister of State, Deputy Smyth, but I understood that Topical Issues were supposed to be taken by the relevant Minister. As far as I understand it, he is a Minister of State at the Department of public expenditure, and this is the responsibility of the Department of Rural and Community Development. It is disappointing but I know that is the way Topical Issues have...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Disability Services (4 Jul 2024)

Thomas Pringle: It did not do that.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Disability Services (4 Jul 2024)

Thomas Pringle: It has never happened.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Disability Services (4 Jul 2024)

Thomas Pringle: I have prepared for this to be taken today. Had I been aware, I would have deferred, as I wanted the Minister to be here. Basically, we are talking to the ether anyway.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Disability Services (4 Jul 2024)

Thomas Pringle: How are we supposed to know when there was no communication? I assumed the Minister was going to be here to take the Topical Issue. We cannot be charged with going around-----

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Disability Services (4 Jul 2024)

Thomas Pringle: Not yet, no. I will wait until I go over that side, and then we will do it. As the Minister of State knows, FASD - and he might not know of it but I will talk to it anyway - is foetal alcohol spectrum disorder. It is an underrecognised condition in Ireland. Compared to other jurisdictions like Canada and New Zealand, we are way behind in dealing with it and providing funding and...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Disability Services (4 Jul 2024)

Thomas Pringle: I thank the Minister of State. The Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, has outlined in her response that funding has been allocated, that the FASD Hub Ireland was established in March 2023, and it operates from Monday to Friday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. for anyone who lives with FASD. That is welcome but there is no funding provided for that. The funding has not actually reached FASD...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Jul 2024)

Thomas Pringle: I agree with Deputy Murphy's comments on the NAS. It is vital that we debate it. I also want to raise Committee Stage of the Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024, which is scheduled for debate tomorrow. A request has been made that additions be made to it so that it encompasses the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, the International...

Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2024: Second Stage (9 Jul 2024)

Thomas Pringle: I am thankful for the opportunity to speak on this Bill. The attempt by the private student accommodation providers, Aparto and Yugo, to force all incoming students starting in September 2024 into 51-week tenancies is a blatant money grab. They have attempted to dress this up as a way of accommodating postgraduate and medical students, but if they truly had the best interests of the...

Inquiry into the death of Shane O'Farrell: Motion [Private Members] (9 Jul 2024)

Thomas Pringle: I again express my condolences and support to the O'Farrell family in their fight for the State to recognise and properly address the significance of the case. It is extremely cruel that the O'Farrell family has been forced to continue this fight to get the answers they need. I cannot imagine the scale of grief they have suffered over the past 13 years. It is unacceptable that they have...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Development Plan (9 Jul 2024)

Thomas Pringle: 40. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his main policy achievements as they relate to County Donegal during the term of the current Dáil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29478/24]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Development Plan (9 Jul 2024)

Thomas Pringle: My question is about the main policy achievements of the Minister's Department that relate to County Donegal. What impact is it having on the county as a whole?