Results 13,861-13,880 of 15,510 for speaker:Brendan Griffin

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: RTÉ (Resumed) (13 Sep 2023)

Brendan Griffin: I understand in principle that Mr. Bakhurst was prepared for Mr. Tubridy to come back on air and negotiations broke down based on the statement he released subsequent to the publication of the Grant Thornton report. There was a line in there in particular that Mr. Bakhurst had difficulty with. Was that not broadly reflected in the Grant Thornton report itself?

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: RTÉ (Resumed) (13 Sep 2023)

Brendan Griffin: In fairness to Mr. Tubridy, he came before this committee and the Committee of Public Accounts and spent a total of, I think, seven hours before them. He did not have to do that. I felt there was a spirit of trying to resolve the matter. Does Mr. Bakhurst not think his approach was disproportionate, being based on that statement that broke negotiations and finished everything?

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: RTÉ (Resumed) (13 Sep 2023)

Brendan Griffin: Was Mr. Bakhurst under pressure internally from others?

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: RTÉ (Resumed) (13 Sep 2023)

Brendan Griffin: Does Mr. Bakhurst think his media commentary about him on 17 August was appropriate as DG? Does he think it was appropriate to use RTÉ platforms to get his point across?

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: RTÉ (Resumed) (13 Sep 2023)

Brendan Griffin: I have one last question, if I may.

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: RTÉ (Resumed) (13 Sep 2023)

Brendan Griffin: In relation to Raidió na Gaeltachta, we know the figures we have talked about here could do so much for the stations in my constituency - in Baile na nGall - and other constituencies. For a relatively small investment, there is a huge return. This recruitment freeze will negatively impact on those stations and those staff who are really pressed in trying to do their job, like the staff...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: RTÉ (Resumed) (13 Sep 2023)

Brendan Griffin: In relation to low-hanging fruit, I would suggest-----

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Transparency of RTÉ Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues: RTÉ (Resumed) (13 Sep 2023)

Brendan Griffin: I wish to make the point that number 100 on the top 100-earners list is, I think, €108,000. There are more than 100 people above that, going right up to more than €500,000. Therefore, if Mr. Bakhurst is looking for low-hanging fruit, there is an orchard there.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Hospital Facilities (21 Sep 2023)

Brendan Griffin: 10. To ask the Minister for Health if more beds will be opened at West Kerry Community Hospital; the current bed and staffing breakdown; how this compares with each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40649/23]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Hospital Facilities (21 Sep 2023)

Brendan Griffin: My question concerns West Kerry Community Hospital and efforts to get more beds for the hospital. It has been a long-running saga to try to get more beds opened in the hospital. Given the current number of bed versus what was originally envisaged, there is quite a difference between the numbers. We need assistance in getting more beds open.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Hospital Facilities (21 Sep 2023)

Brendan Griffin: I appreciate the Minister of State's response and the efforts being made. In recent years, we had the appalling images of a very elderly lady being moved out of a hospital far away from home, a place with which she had become familiar and was comfortable, because of a shortage of beds. This is the type of thing we do not want to see repeated. I raised it here at the time. I have been in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Hospital Facilities (21 Sep 2023)

Brendan Griffin: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. Tá níos mó leapacha ag teastáil anonn. Caithfimid rudaí nua a dhéanamh chun banaltraí a fháil sa Daingean agus beidh na leapacha ag teastáil sa todhchaí. We will need those beds in the future. It is as simple as that. If the current recruitment processes are not working, we need to consider...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Misuse of Drugs (21 Sep 2023)

Brendan Griffin: 15. To ask the Minister for Health if a public health awareness campaign around cocaine use and its adverse effects will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40650/23]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Misuse of Drugs (21 Sep 2023)

Brendan Griffin: My question is about the availability of cocaine, the habit of the consumption of cocaine that has almost been normalised in recent years and creating awareness of its health implications. Quite frankly, I do not think the current policy is working because of the popularity of cocaine and how common cocaine use is. We need to do things differently.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Misuse of Drugs (21 Sep 2023)

Brendan Griffin: The question is perhaps timely as we are running into the budgetary cycle. I do not see in mainstream media and across the board the type of awareness campaigns this problem needs. I acknowledge the figures the Minister of State has quoted. Certainly among some demographics, I think the figures are far worse than those she has quoted. Among our younger population, this is something that...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Misuse of Drugs (21 Sep 2023)

Brendan Griffin: All forms of substance abuse, whether it is the top shelf I referred to earlier or drugs, must be called out. What worries me most is the normalisation of cocaine use we have seen in recent years. Speaking to young people in my constituency, it is accepted among some people that this is what is done at the weekend on a Friday or Saturday night. That is bonkers to me as someone who is only...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Third Level Education (21 Sep 2023)

Brendan Griffin: 76. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the up-to-date position regarding plans to redevelop the former Pretty Polly plant and site in Killarney, County Kerry, into a further education centre of excellence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40647/23]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Third Level Education (21 Sep 2023)

Brendan Griffin: The Minister has been a very regular visitor to County Kerry since he came into his role, more than any other Minister. One of the very important visits he paid took place last November when he announced that the former Pretty Polly site in Killarney would be redeveloped as a centre of excellence for further education. Will he update the House on the progress on that project? What are the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Third Level Education (21 Sep 2023)

Brendan Griffin: I thank the Minister for his response, which is very encouraging. It is one of the most exciting projects there has been in the county for a long time. It symbolises rejuvenation and a form of renaissance for what was maybe a symbol of decline and failure, and a new era for Kerry and Killarney in particular. I thank the Minister for the effort he has put in to date and for his commitment...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Third Level Education (21 Sep 2023)

Brendan Griffin: That is great. Of course these things take time. I remember when a bus leaving my parish took predominantly women to work in that Pretty Polly factory in the 1980s and 1990s. A week is a long time in politics but, at the same time, time goes pretty quickly too. It will take time. We have to be realistic but I have no doubt that when this project is completed, it will serve future...