Results 81-100 of 2,988 for speaker:James O'Connor

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (4 Nov 2020)

James O'Connor: I thank the Minister for his presentation to the committee. The first issue I wish to discuss is Cork Airport. Obviously Covid-19 has had a very negative impact on the whole Cork region, with very few passengers coming in through the airport. In that context, there is an opportunity cost for the Department in not investing in capital infrastructure in Cork Airport, particularly in the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (4 Nov 2020)

James O'Connor: Yes. I apologise for interrupting but my time is limited. Everything the Minister has said is correct. It is quite clear that we have a chance to secure the future of the airport, increase its worth to the local economy and replace the jobs that have been lost. The Minister must take rapid action in that regard. My final point is that we need to see more being done at a European level...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (4 Nov 2020)

James O'Connor: My very last point-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (4 Nov 2020)

James O'Connor: I appreciate that. Antigen testing needs to be investigated at a European level. Ireland cannot conduct the research on its own. The Minister has an opportunity to raise this matter at EU level and he should do so. The issue here is the research. I believe the Minister should. The research is the issue here. It is not necessarily whether it is wise for NPHET to be arguing for or against...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (4 Nov 2020)

James O'Connor: I want to put more eloquently the point I made earlier and was caught for time. Dr. Holohan told the committee yesterday that we will be implementing restrictions and lifting them for the foreseeable future until an effective vaccination is found. That vaccination might not necessarily be implemented successfully with the vast majority of the population here until the end of 2021, which is...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: LEADER Programmes (5 Nov 2020)

James O'Connor: 23. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding being provided for the LEADER programme in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34168/20]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Electric Vehicles (10 Nov 2020)

James O'Connor: 102. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of his plans to support the development of infrastructure for electric vehicles. [35091/20]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Electric Vehicles (10 Nov 2020)

James O'Connor: Electric vehicles are the future of our personal transportation system, particularly for long journeys and in rural areas. We need to have more of a discussion around how we put in place the infrastructure we require to sustain that type of transport system. Will the Minister give the House some guidance as to what steps his Department is taking to fulfil some of the actions that are required?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Electric Vehicles (10 Nov 2020)

James O'Connor: I welcome the Minister's efforts so far to deal with this issue. What needs to be explored in Ireland is our conversation around having a system in place where we are moving from a fossil fuel-based cars industry towards a greener one. There is much apprehension and fear among many families which is damaging consumer confidence in the car industry around purchasing vehicles. I strongly...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Electric Vehicles (10 Nov 2020)

James O'Connor: I thank the Minister for his response. I will reiterate, to a certain extent, that there is a lot of fear among families who are purchasing an electric vehicle. It is an expensive thing to do. My constituency is very rural where there is no option for public transport and people need to buy cars every few years, depending on the mileage they are doing and so on and so forth. I feel there...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Brexit Preparations (10 Nov 2020)

James O'Connor: 70. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment his plans to support the food processing industry post-Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35056/20]

Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Second Stage (11 Nov 2020)

James O'Connor: The United Kingdom will be outside the EU Single Market and the customs union in a little over seven weeks' time. While the outcome of the negotiations between the parties is ongoing, it is critical to recognise that all businesses, regardless of their size, will be impacted by the outcome of the negotiations. As a result, it is vital to be prepared to face the challenging and complex...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Development Plan (12 Nov 2020)

James O'Connor: 30. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on projects in the east County Cork area under the review of the national development plan 2018-2027 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35792/20]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: White Papers (17 Nov 2020)

James O'Connor: 56. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will report on the implementation of the White Paper on Defence. [36628/20]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Universal Support Ireland (17 Nov 2020)

James O'Connor: 644. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a matter in relation to the refusal of a SUSI grant application by a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37095/20]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (17 Nov 2020)

James O'Connor: 645. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the supports in place for refunding of student accommodation which has not been used (details supplied) due to universities operating online during the Covid-19 pandemic period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37096/20]

Rural and Community Development: Statements (18 Nov 2020)

James O'Connor: I thank the Minister for giving us an opportunity to speak about the important issues facing rural and community development. As somebody who was born and raised in a community in a rural area in east Cork in Killeagh in the Youghal area as a child, I am very passionate about ensuring we make our rural communities more sustainable. We need to focus on rural development in rapidly changing...

Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science: Statements (19 Nov 2020)

James O'Connor: I thank the Minister for being in the House to speak about the ongoing work he is doing in the new Department. It is critical for so many young people and those engaged in further education throughout the country. I am conscious that I am the youngest Deputy in the House to speak about this issue. I care deeply about it and I have worked in this area in the past, as the Minister is well...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Sports Capital Programme (19 Nov 2020)

James O'Connor: 41. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the sports capital grant will open for new applications in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37393/20]

Covid-19: Statements (24 Nov 2020)

James O'Connor: Many people will not forget 2020 for a very long time. It started out as a bright new decade, but was destroyed by this pandemic. I feel for what many business owners across the constituency of Cork East, whom I am paid to represent as a new Deputy in the House, have gone through throughout the year. I concur with some of the comments made by Deputy Cowen on the rounds of applause....