Results 1,141-1,160 of 3,980 for speaker:Sorca Clarke

Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Nov 2021)

Sorca Clarke: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill. In some ways, it is very much a case of legislation eventually trying to catch up with what is happening out there among the public. E-scooters and e-bikes will no longer be classified as mechanically propelled vehicles, but as powered personal transporters that do not require registration, tax, insurance or a specific licence, and can travel...

Air Accident Investigation Unit Final Report into R116 air accident: Statements (17 Nov 2021)

Sorca Clarke: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the publication of this final report but I do so with a heavy heart and a deep sense of sadness, which was echoed by other Deputies. I place on record my sincere condolences to the families, loved ones and friends of Captain Mark Duffy, Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, winch operator Paul Ormsby and winchman Ciarán Smith, the four members of R116 who lost...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Climate Action Plan (18 Nov 2021)

Sorca Clarke: 75. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the way the emissions from the Defence Forces are accounted for under the carbon budgets and sectoral emissions ceilings given the increasing acknowledgement that climate and defence will be intrinsically linked in view of the COP26 United Nations Climate Change Conference. [56516/21]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Climate Action Plan (18 Nov 2021)

Sorca Clarke: At a cursory glance, the impact of climate change on defence and our Defence Forces may not be obvious. How are emissions from the Defence Forces accounted for under the carbon budgets and sectoral emissions ceilings? This is important given the increasing acknowledgement that climate change and defence will be intrinsically linked, as discussed at the recent COP26 climate change conference.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Climate Action Plan (18 Nov 2021)

Sorca Clarke: I fully accept that a balance must be struck between reducing emissions and ensuring that we continue to equip the Defence Forces to allow them to respond effectively and efficiently to the challenges that come with climate change, be that at home, in terms of the fires we saw last night, or the excessive flooding that has happened. In terms of the climate impact, how are we equipping our...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Climate Action Plan (18 Nov 2021)

Sorca Clarke: I suspect that this is a conversation we could have for a number of hours as opposed to a number of minutes. I wish to refer to a comment that was made by the previous Chief of Staff, retired Vice Admiral Mark Mellett. He said: "Ireland has a 'false sense of security' and the State needs to position itself to deal with the gathering problems caused by climate change." Specifically, on the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (18 Nov 2021)

Sorca Clarke: Does the Minister want to answer Deputy Howlin first?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (18 Nov 2021)

Sorca Clarke: While I acknowledge the investment in capital infrastructure, and it is long overdue and desperately needed, there is one concern that I want to flag with the Minister. It specifically relates to a new development at the Curragh Camp - Pearse Mess. I am looking at these plans as I speak. I am bewildered, after all the conversations that have taken place about the need to increase female...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (18 Nov 2021)

Sorca Clarke: It is acknowledged that the current level of 6% of female participation needs to be worked on. Any moves to encourage females into participation, regardless of what campaign that may be, has to be reflected in the built infrastructure where we will ask these people to work and to spend a significant portion of their time. That simply is not evident here. I have no issue with passing these...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (18 Nov 2021)

Sorca Clarke: The last time we spoke about "Women of Honour" in the Chamber, I asked the Minister if he had sought legal advice regarding those who had already made settlement agreements with the Defence Forces and signed non-disclosure agreements, or where non-disclosure agreements were part of the settlement made. At that time, he answered that he had not. I again ask if he has got legal advice...

Sex Offenders (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Nov 2021)

Sorca Clarke: I appreciate the opportunity to speak on the Bill. I welcome the long-awaited changes encompassed in it that were campaigned for. The Bill will allow the Sex Offenders Act 2001 to be updated in 2021 to ensure convicted sex offenders are effectively managed and monitored. SORAM will be placed on a statutory footing. There is a recognition of the need when assessing and managing risk to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Defence Forces Veterans: Discussion (16 Nov 2021)

Sorca Clarke: I thank our guests. Please accept my apologies for being tardy as there was a vote in the Dáil. I do not think they will find much objection to the witnesses' asks, particularly at this committee. In fairness, there is a very broad level of support for the work they do, for our veterans today but also our veterans to come. I would like to touch on some specific questions. Mr....

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Citizens' Assembly (17 Nov 2021)

Sorca Clarke: 36. To ask the Taoiseach if he will create a citizens' assembly to work on issues of all-Ireland integration and further unity on the island. [56473/21]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (17 Nov 2021)

Sorca Clarke: 64. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the Glasson bypass, County Westmeath. [56474/21]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Service Executive (17 Nov 2021)

Sorca Clarke: 264. To ask the Minister for Health if he will request a review of the decision to refuse an application in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56472/21]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Defence Forces (18 Nov 2021)

Sorca Clarke: 91. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the review of the central recruitment that has taken place regarding the ongoing recruitment issues highlighted in both the press and at committee by the Reserve Defence Forces representatives; and the outcome in terms of improving the pathways to becoming a member of the Reserve Defence Forces. [56519/21]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Defence Forces (18 Nov 2021)

Sorca Clarke: 115. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his proposals to negate the impact of reports regarding the spiralling cost of living on serving members of the Permanent Defence Forces. [56517/21]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Defence Forces (18 Nov 2021)

Sorca Clarke: 116. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will provide information regarding the average 17.5 patrol days that were reported to be cancelled each month in 2019, which rose to 30 per month to date in 2021; the purpose of the patrols; and the reason for cancellation. [56520/21]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Civil Defence (18 Nov 2021)

Sorca Clarke: 119. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the nature of the support provided and the corresponding hourly equivalent including the number of trips and kilometres provided by the Civil Defence in support of the HSE operations relating to Covid-19. [56518/21]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Data (18 Nov 2021)

Sorca Clarke: 328. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children on school age team or the new equivalent on the psychology waiting lists that have been also referred to primary care psychology by county in each of the years 2018 to 2020 an to date in 2021, in tabular form. [56713/21]