Results 1,361-1,380 of 9,160 for speaker:Thomas Pringle

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water and Sewerage Schemes Status (30 Apr 2014)

Thomas Pringle: 445. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 379 of 22 October 2013, if he will provide an update on the matter. [18640/14]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Climate Change Policy (30 Apr 2014)

Thomas Pringle: 508. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will explain the way the transition to a low-carbon economy by 2050 will be achieved without specific targets as outlined in the heads of the Climate Action and Low-Carbon Development Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19607/14]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Misconduct Allegations (30 Apr 2014)

Thomas Pringle: 571. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to allegations of policing misconduct made by Afri in relation to the Corrib Gas Project, North Mayo; if he will consider establishing an independent inquiry into the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19012/14]

Other Questions: Water Charges Introduction (1 May 2014)

Thomas Pringle: 29. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline any decision that has been made regarding water charges and the details of a water tariff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19564/14]

Order of Business (1 May 2014)

Thomas Pringle: The Taoiseach gave a commitment that the inquiry by Justice Cooke into the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission bugging allegations would be delivered before Easter. Does the Tánaiste have any information as to when the report will be made available to the House?

Housing Provision: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (1 May 2014)

Thomas Pringle: The motion was tabled by the Technical Group because of the housing and homelessness crisis. It is disappointing that there is no recognition in the Government's amendment that countrywide there are families in crisis. These families have been let down by the Government and there is no point in it trying to deny this. It has made choices in the past three years, including to support the...

Housing Provision: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (1 May 2014)

Thomas Pringle: They are not. Another imaginative solution involves rent allowance. Last year the Department of Social Protection provided a briefing for members in the AV room on the great changes it was introducing to the rent allowance scheme. I acknowledge that this issue does not fall within the remit of the Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, but perhaps she might bring my comments to the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Renewable Energy Generation Issues (6 May 2014)

Thomas Pringle: 110. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in view of the advances in the technology for generating electricity from biomass, if his Department has considered reviewing the renewable energy policy to focus on biomass rather than wind to achieve our renewable targets and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19989/14]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Renewable Energy Generation Issues (6 May 2014)

Thomas Pringle: At the time when the renewable energy strategy was devised, wind energy generation was probably the easiest way to achieve the 2020 targets required to meet our EU commitments. However, technological developments in recent years have meant that the use of biomass has become very attractive, particularly convection. Has the Department considered reviewing the policy and refocusing it? While...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Renewable Energy Generation Issues (6 May 2014)

Thomas Pringle: I thank the Minister of State for his response and welcome the fact that a strategy is due to be published. I look forward to seeing it and examining its proposals. It is very important to consider electricity generation from biomass in the strategy. There is a project under way in Yorkshire at the moment to convert the largest coal-fired generating plant in Europe to biomass, which is...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Renewable Energy Generation Issues (6 May 2014)

Thomas Pringle: It is interesting that the plant in Yorkshire has signed contracts for the delivery of biomass from New England. It will be shipped there and transported inland to the plant. Moneypoint is on the coast, so one could ship biomass directly to that plant which would be significantly cheaper than what is happening in Yorkshire. There is also the potential to develop our own indigenous...

Europe Week: Statements (6 May 2014)

Thomas Pringle: When I first saw this item on the agenda, it was entitled, Statements on Europe Day, but now I see it has been amended to read, "Statements on Europe Week". I notice that two Europe Days are being celebrated this week. The Council of Europe marks Europe Day on 5 May. The Council of Europe is an international organisation that promotes co-operation between all the countries of Europe in the...

Water Charges: Motion [Private Members] (6 May 2014)

Thomas Pringle: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate on water charges. Some people may say that we have to pay for water usage and that we cannot continue to have free water, but we never had free water in this country. The €1.2 billion cost of producing water across the country has been paid for all along by central taxation, so there has never been free water. Car tax...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (6 May 2014)

Thomas Pringle: 114. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will be reviewing the provision of broadband in rural areas after the publication of the CEDRA report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19959/14]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Alternative Energy Projects (6 May 2014)

Thomas Pringle: 121. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the bio-energy strategy has been finalised; the actions required to optimise the use of biomass; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19961/14]

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Bill 2014: Committee Stage (6 May 2014)

Thomas Pringle: I move amendment No. 1: In page 6, between lines 28 and 29, to insert the following:" "functions" are defined as the functions contained in the Human Rights Commission Act 2000 and the Employment Equality Act 1998;".The amendment seeks to define the functions mentioned in the legislation as those contained in the Human Rights Commission Act 2000 and the Employment Equality Act 1998. The Bill...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Bill 2014: Committee Stage (6 May 2014)

Thomas Pringle: I move amendment No. 2: In page 6, line 29, to delete "Part 3" and substitute "sections 36to 39inclusive and section 41". Section 2 contains necessary interpretations of the key terms in the section. Amendment No. 2 proposes to amend line 29 which deals with human rights. There is a difference in the interpretation of the definition between the enforcement role of the human rights...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Bill 2014: Committee Stage (6 May 2014)

Thomas Pringle: There is quite a bit to digest. We ratify a great many international treaties but we do not legislate for them, can the human rights commission handle them under Irish law?

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Bill 2014: Committee Stage (6 May 2014)

Thomas Pringle: I move amendment No. 4: In page 10, lines 19 and 20, to delete ", while respecting diversity and the freedom and dignity of each person".Section 10(1)(e) provides that the human rights commission will "work towards the elimination of human rights abuses, discrimination and prohibited conduct, while respecting diversity and the freedom and dignity of each person". The intention of the...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Bill 2014: Committee Stage (6 May 2014)

Thomas Pringle: I take on board exactly what the Minister is saying and know exactly what the intentions are. However, there can be unintended consequences as well and that is the reason the amendment was put forward. I accept that the Minister will look at it again and, therefore, I will hold off until Report Stage.