Results 1,821-1,840 of 4,399 for speaker:Martin Browne

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on a Ban on Herbicides in Public Areas: Discussion (12 May 2022)

Martin Browne: Is there an issue with how local authorities make decisions to allow for spraying in sensitive areas? The Department responsible for enforcing the legislation may or may not inspect or judge the risk assessment documents afterwards. I would like Mr. Walsh's opinion on that. I have been on a scheme with about 20 others. We spent half a day using the spray equipment, with each of us using...

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on a Ban on Herbicides in Public Areas: Discussion (12 May 2022)

Martin Browne: However, we have people with certificates indicating they have done a course.

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on a Ban on Herbicides in Public Areas: Discussion (12 May 2022)

Martin Browne: Should risk assessments be done before spraying begins? Most of the time when spraying is carried out a risk assessment is done and handed into the Department. We do not know if the Department ever looks at the risk assessments. Should risk assessments be done and clearance given before any pesticides are sprayed? Is that feasible given staffing levels and the resources available to...

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on a Ban on Herbicides in Public Areas: Discussion (12 May 2022)

Martin Browne: Yes. Will Mr. Walsh discuss with us the use of plant protection products, PPPs, in food production and what his stance is on that?

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on a Ban on Herbicides in Public Areas: Discussion (12 May 2022)

Martin Browne: Has Mr. Walsh engaged with the EPA about this and, if so, what was its response? How do we compare with other countries in Europe?

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on a Ban on Herbicides in Public Areas: Discussion (12 May 2022)

Martin Browne: He had no knowledge of the legislation. That is why I was asking Mr. Walsh about this earlier. I am sure hundreds, if not thousands, of people on schemes have done these courses and they still do not know what the actual regulations are.

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on a Ban on Herbicides in Public Areas: Discussion (12 May 2022)

Martin Browne: To clear it up, before Mr. Walsh came in, we agreed we would write to the Department and maybe even the local authorities to put to them what has been suggested. Did Deputy Devlin have something else to add?

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on a Ban on Herbicides in Public Areas: Discussion (12 May 2022)

Martin Browne: I asked Mr. Walsh earlier how we compare with the rest of Europe. Is there any kind of table that shows the first 20 countries or similar?

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on a Ban on Herbicides in Public Areas: Discussion (12 May 2022)

Martin Browne: Is it safe to say we are kind of mid-table?

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on a Ban on Herbicides in Public Areas: Discussion (12 May 2022)

Martin Browne: Mr. Walsh mentioned sales. I remember when we were doing the scheme, Roundup was in bigger drums. We were told that if it was under a certain amount, it could be sold and, suddenly, all the hardware stores started getting the smaller drums.

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on a Ban on Herbicides in Public Areas: Discussion (12 May 2022)

Martin Browne: I do not want people to pick me up wrong because I appreciate the work Tidy Towns and the like do throughout the country, but are Tidy Towns groups using pesticides?

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on a Ban on Herbicides in Public Areas: Discussion (12 May 2022)

Martin Browne: I am asking because, if Tidy Towns groups were involved in getting rid of these pesticides with local authorities, it would make a major difference.

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on a Ban on Herbicides in Public Areas: Discussion (12 May 2022)

Martin Browne: We see the great work the groups are doing in every town and village.

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on a Ban on Herbicides in Public Areas: Discussion (12 May 2022)

Martin Browne: Perhaps that is something our committee can take on board. I do not have further questions. Since no other members are indicating they wish to contribute again, would Mr. Walsh like to make a closing statement?

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on a Ban on Herbicides in Public Areas: Discussion (12 May 2022)

Martin Browne: On my own behalf, I congratulate Mr. Walsh on his work. From listening to members at this meeting, I can tell he has opened our eyes to things we were not aware were happening. It was suggested we write to the Department and local authorities.

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on a Ban on Herbicides in Public Areas: Discussion (12 May 2022)

Martin Browne: We will stress the point. It was also suggested Mr. Walsh return to us at a later date.

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on a Ban on Herbicides in Public Areas: Discussion (12 May 2022)

Martin Browne: He might keep in touch with our secretariat and provide us with any information we need.

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on a Ban on Herbicides in Public Areas: Discussion (12 May 2022)

Martin Browne: I hope Mr. Walsh will be back before us not too long down the road and that we will have had good results.

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (12 May 2022)

Martin Browne: We have five petitions for consideration. Petition 14/22, on raising the upper age limit in the Defence Forces, is from Mr. Stephen Martin. The petitioner considers that current upper age limits for joining the Defence Forces are restrictive and, as a result, there is a risk the Defence Forces are missing out on suitable candidates who are keen to join but cannot because of their ages. The...

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (12 May 2022)

Martin Browne: Are we agreed that we send the Department's correspondence to the petitioner for comment and that Ms Semple and the rest of the secretariat add it to the work programme, if time allows?