Results 921-940 of 3,444 for speaker:Shane Cassells

Questions on Promised Legislation (16 Nov 2017)

Shane Cassells: They did not believe us about the stadiums.

Other Questions: Television Licence Fee (21 Nov 2017)

Shane Cassells: 42. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to reform the funding model for public service broadcasting in view of the fact that there is an evasion rate of 14.5% of the television licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49087/17]

Other Questions: Television Licence Fee (21 Nov 2017)

Shane Cassells: I ask this question in the context of the appearance before the Committee of Public Accounts of the Secretary General of the Department, Mr. Mark Griffin, two weeks ago to account for the Department's accounts and expenditure. The largest item of expenditure, accounting for more than half of all departmental spending, was €241 million on broadcasting. In response to questions from...

Other Questions: Television Licence Fee (21 Nov 2017)

Shane Cassells: The grant to RTÉ last year was €6.5 million less than the Estimate because income from television licence sales was lower than anticipated. The amount of the grant in 2016 was €179 million, which is roughly in line with the figure for 2015. The €6.5 million shortfall on the Estimate amounts to 40,000 licence payments of €160. While the licence fee has not...

Other Questions: Television Licence Fee (21 Nov 2017)

Shane Cassells: The third reason for the decline in income is that advertisers are copping on that viewing habits are changing. Services such as Netflix are also having an impact. The Minister is correct to focus on evasion. I would like to hear his thoughts on the recommendation that Revenue should become involved in collecting television licence fees. The print media model is broken and television...

Rural Crime: Motion (21 Nov 2017)

Shane Cassells: No level of crime is acceptable. Trying to tackle it is a difficult job. We have to argue our case with the Commissioner. One cannot go to the table unless one has one's facts and figures. Certainly in Meath, the figures stand out and tell their own story. The Meath chief superintendent, Mr. Fergus Healy, spoke at a public meeting of concerned citizens in Trim last month. I have echoed...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Reimbursement (21 Nov 2017)

Shane Cassells: 333. To ask the Minister for Health if kuvan,the only medical treatment available for phenylketonuria, will be made available to persons with this rare genetic disorder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48828/17]

Other Questions: Rugby World Cup 2023 (22 Nov 2017)

Shane Cassells: 33. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the deficiencies in Ireland's failed bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup which led to Ireland receiving eight votes during an organisation's (details supplied) ballot; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49196/17]

Other Questions: Rugby World Cup 2023 (22 Nov 2017)

Shane Cassells: First, what was said in the Seanad last Thursday about the Irish bid was disgraceful and wrong. It was an insult and disrespectful to the efforts of Kevin Potts, Philip Orr, Dick Spring, Brian O'Driscoll, Philip Browne, Páraic Duffy, the Minister, Deputy Ross and others. Rather than dismiss the decision last week by World Rugby as an opportunity lost, there is merit in discussing it...

Other Questions: Rugby World Cup 2023 (22 Nov 2017)

Shane Cassells: I thank the Minister for his reply. My question is in respect of the process. The Minister answered my question well in terms of his reference to Bill Beaumont, a rugby legend and member of the executive council, who defied the executive independent report because, as we know, the English backed Ireland. I would like to speak about what those involved in rugby are saying, as opposed...

Other Questions: Rugby World Cup 2023 (22 Nov 2017)

Shane Cassells: The expert review group looked at the question of deficiencies, including in transport and, in particular, in terms of our stadium infrastructure. Having worked as a sports journalist for more than a decade and having visited many stadiums throughout the country, I am well aware of the deficiencies we have but also the very positive gains there have been in the past ten years or so. There...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann Services (22 Nov 2017)

Shane Cassells: 94. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will liaise with Bus Éireann management regarding the ongoing disruption to bus services on the M3 corridor routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49220/17]

Committee on Public Petitions: English Junior Certificate Examination: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)

Shane Cassells: In this week of full disclosure in the Dáil, I want to put on the record that I sat the junior certificate in 1993. The witnesses are exceptionally welcome to the committee and the Parliament. I compliment them on their very well-formulated submission. They are here to discuss and argue their case. We have met with the Department and the State Examinations Board to tease out the...

Committee on Public Petitions: English Junior Certificate Examination: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)

Shane Cassells: The paper does not have to be fully rethought.

Committee on Public Petitions: English Junior Certificate Examination: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)

Shane Cassells: Time is not necessarily the issue but, rather, it is more to do with the nature of the paper. Ms McKimm touched on the fact that two novels did not turn up. Back in the 1990s, the same situation pertained: one would study for everything and look for a particular------

Committee on Public Petitions: English Junior Certificate Examination: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)

Shane Cassells: Or in the 1980s. I am glad the disclosures are being continued. The witnesses have approached the issue on the basis of an extension of the exam time and we will remain on that point for the moment. Ms McKimm said it was a race against the clock. We probed representatives of the Department on that issue. The witnesses said in their opening statement that they were disappointed with the...

Committee on Public Petitions: English Junior Certificate Examination: Discussion (22 Nov 2017)

Shane Cassells: That hits the nail on the head. The Department had been under pressure to say it did not want the exam to be a pressure cooker situation for young students and that it wanted to elicit creativity. If it had maintained the time limit, students might have the opportunity to realise that ambition. The committee could revert to the Department on that point.

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Industrial Development (23 Nov 2017)

Shane Cassells: 25. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to expand her Department's efforts and resources in terms of creating investment and business in the north County Meath region which is the most deprived area of County Meath according to the 2016 Pobal HP deprivation index; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49611/17]

Public Accounts Committee: Reopening of Garda Stations: Discussion (23 Nov 2017)

Shane Cassells: Has this been assigned to projects?

Public Accounts Committee: Reopening of Garda Stations: Discussion (23 Nov 2017)

Shane Cassells: The question has not been answered.