Results 1,061-1,080 of 1,995 for speaker:Joe Flaherty

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Implementing Housing for All: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Jan 2023)

Joe Flaherty: We are almost at the conclusion of the meeting. Although Senator Boyhan is not at the meeting it is important to emphasise sustainable development for rural areas. The representatives from Mayo County Council touched on that concept. In 2008, County Longford was left with 2,000 units across multiple ghost estates. Nobody is more frustrated than I am with the with pace of the roll-out of...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (1 Feb 2023)

Joe Flaherty: In recent parliamentary questions I highlighted a situation where recently approved recipients of stamp 4 status under the regularisation of the long-term undocumented persons scheme are being precluded from Student Universal Support Ireland, SUSI, on the basis that many are unable to prove that they have been in the country lawfully for three of the five preceding years. It is an anomaly in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Dangerous Dog Breeds and Sheep Worrying: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Joe Flaherty: Ms Creedon spoke about the list of restricted dog breeds. I suspect she is not a fan of these restricted lists in general. Would that be fair to say?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Dangerous Dog Breeds and Sheep Worrying: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Joe Flaherty: From Ms Creedon's point of view, there is no such thing as a bad dog, only a bad owner.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Dangerous Dog Breeds and Sheep Worrying: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Joe Flaherty: Ms Creedon made some recommendations relating to a dog-bite prevention organisation and so on, which is laudable, but what the public will tell us is there is probably not enough legislation to deal with dog owners, rather than that we need additional means of reporting bites and so forth. What does she say to that? Is the legislation to deal with dog owners strong enough? She stated dog...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Dangerous Dog Breeds and Sheep Worrying: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Joe Flaherty: Ms Creedon's work is laudable. She mentioned some of the fatalities that have occurred and we are probably always only one step away from the next one. Is there any country she can point to where a good approach has been taken?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Dangerous Dog Breeds and Sheep Worrying: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Joe Flaherty: I was hoping to finish up on that but I will just pick up on one thing Ms Creedon said. She said Switzerland had very few bites and incidents even before they brought in changes. Why was that?

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (2 Feb 2023)

Joe Flaherty: 306. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the processing of payment for works to a school (details supplied) under the additional accommodation scheme 2021 are scheduled to be expedited for payment. [5412/23]

Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Revised) (8 Feb 2023)

Joe Flaherty: It is good to have the Minister back in. I thank him, as always, for his ongoing work in the sector. He is doing a lot of significant work. I wish to discuss a couple of points with him, some of which have been covered by my esteemed colleague and neighbour here beside me. I will try to plough the same ground again. The agri-climate rural environment scheme, ACRES, scheme has generated...

Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Revised) (8 Feb 2023)

Joe Flaherty: Is that a reasonably enthusiastic response?

Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Revised) (8 Feb 2023)

Joe Flaherty: I echo Deputy Fitzmaurice's comments on the sheep sector. I attended a meeting with sheep farmers in Longford last night. They are worried about their situation. It is arguably our most challenged sector at the moment. Many sectors in farming are quite buoyant at the moment. It goes without saying that the Government has provided significant supports for both the pig and horticulture...

Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Revised) (8 Feb 2023)

Joe Flaherty: Just to conclude, I acknowledge the Minister said there is nothing in the pipeline at the moment. However, for many farmers, it is an ominous situation and a short pipeline. I impress upon the Minister and his officials to look at the situation. I know he is monitoring this through Bord Bia, Teagasc and many market sectors as well. However, many farmers to whom I have spoken to over the...

Nursing Home Charges and Disability Allowance Payments: Statements (9 Feb 2023)

Joe Flaherty: At the outset I acknowledge the Minister's work and commitment to the health service. I know he is passionate about what he is trying to do and achieve. Sometimes it might feel as though he is almost a punch bag for everything that goes wrong with the delivery of the service. In that regard I have some sympathy for him. However, the reality is that when things go wrong or even if there...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: School Meals Programme (9 Feb 2023)

Joe Flaherty: 36. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if efforts are being made to address the anomaly affecting secondary schools recently approved for DEIS status; if the recent funding increase for school dinner clubs will now be applied for all affected secondary schools; if so, when this will take place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5939/23]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: State Pensions (9 Feb 2023)

Joe Flaherty: 59. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the steps that will be taken to address an anomaly whereby recipients of a non-contributory pension will not be able to rent out their empty home under the terms of fair deal scheme as the former family home will now be treated as an asset and contribute to their means assessment; and if she will make a statement on the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Feb 2023)

Joe Flaherty: I thank the Acting Chairman. You will be delighted to hear that I will not sing anything. I will not inflict that upon you. Sitting on this committee is very challenging and very rewarding in equal measure. As many have already said, it shines that very important light on the many shortcomings of us as a State and as a society. On a weekly basis in here, we get wonderful insights into...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Feb 2023)

Joe Flaherty: Is there a country that does universal design well?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Feb 2023)

Joe Flaherty: That is something we need to do as a committee, and a starting point might be Dr. McAuley's advisory group and linking in with AsIAm. It is important that, in the remaining lifetime of this committee, we give a voice to the children.

Civil Defence Bill 2023: Second Stage (15 Feb 2023)

Joe Flaherty: I welcome the Bill, which is long overdue. It underpins an organisation that has been at the heart of community events in Ireland since 1951. We are incredibly proud of the Civil Defence family in County Longford, where Emma Reid is the Civil Defence officer. Throughout Covid, we saw the value and dedication of Civil Defence volunteers. We are incredibly lucky to have 25 top-drawer...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (14 Feb 2023)

Joe Flaherty: 292. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the ongoing tensions between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7231/23]