Results 1,841-1,860 of 2,988 for speaker:James O'Connor

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation and Expenditure of Public Moneys by RTÉ: Discussion (29 Jun 2023)

James O'Connor: Are you in a position to inform us what the losses were?

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation and Expenditure of Public Moneys by RTÉ: Discussion (29 Jun 2023)

James O'Connor: When will you be able to do so?

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation and Expenditure of Public Moneys by RTÉ: Discussion (29 Jun 2023)

James O'Connor: My understanding is that it was an unmitigated disaster. Is that accurate?

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation and Expenditure of Public Moneys by RTÉ: Discussion (29 Jun 2023)

James O'Connor: When it comes to accountability for money that is squandered within RTÉ, do the witnesses accept, on foot of the information that has come to light, that the structures of payment within the organisation are nowhere near fit for purpose? Look at the number of agency staff being employed, the key stars, the highest earners and the power Mr. Kelly had over RTÉ as an organisation....

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation and Expenditure of Public Moneys by RTÉ: Discussion (29 Jun 2023)

James O'Connor: Did the board of RTÉ never have this conversation? How did we get to this position where, ultimately, a PR catastrophe is the cause of our now having this conversation? Did the executive board of RTÉ not recognise before now that one individual had pretty much godlike power when it came to the presenters who were being allowed airtime on our most significant broadcaster?

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation and Expenditure of Public Moneys by RTÉ: Discussion (29 Jun 2023)

James O'Connor: What is RTÉ going to do going forward from here?

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation and Expenditure of Public Moneys by RTÉ: Discussion (29 Jun 2023)

James O'Connor: I must ask about the Grant Thornton report currently being prepared by the RTÉ board for the audit and risk committee. This is an ongoing mess, and more information is coming to light with each day that goes by. Does RTÉ have the scope to allow for the extension of that report to include information that may come to light in the coming weeks?

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation and Expenditure of Public Moneys by RTÉ: Discussion (29 Jun 2023)

James O'Connor: Yes. The second report.

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation and Expenditure of Public Moneys by RTÉ: Discussion (29 Jun 2023)

James O'Connor: That is fine. The time is limited.

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation and Expenditure of Public Moneys by RTÉ: Discussion (29 Jun 2023)

James O'Connor: In conclusion, I think that on foot of the-----

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation and Expenditure of Public Moneys by RTÉ: Discussion (29 Jun 2023)

James O'Connor: Yes, very briefly, and it is a conclusion. On foot of what that Taoiseach has said this afternoon and what the Chairperson of the media committee, Deputy Niamh Smyth, said yesterday, it is important now, given all this information and the lack of information the witnesses are able to provide in answer to the questions, that Ryan Tubridy be invited to appear before this committee as well as...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Accommodation (29 Jun 2023)

James O'Connor: 89. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on the school building programme in County Cork; if she is satisfied with its progress to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31658/23]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Accommodation (29 Jun 2023)

James O'Connor: I would like to get some information from the Department and Minister about what the intentions are regarding the school building programme, predominantly in my constituency of Cork East. It would be greatly helpful to get some degree of an update.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Accommodation (29 Jun 2023)

James O'Connor: I thank the Minister for the information. It is very helpful and beneficial that we know what is going on. I have worked hand-in-hand with the Minister since she became a member of Cabinet with responsibility in this area. However, we acknowledge that in east Cork, and particularly across Cork county, there is rapid population growth. For example, the Fermoy area now has a deficit of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Accommodation (29 Jun 2023)

James O'Connor: I thank the Minister. That information is good and positive. I acknowledge the positives. It is great to see there are so many projects in the pipeline but the problem is that they are in the pipeline and we need to get them delivered. The Minister referred to one that is approaching delivering after a painful, arduous process, long pre-dating her own appointment as a Cabinet Minister....

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation and Expenditure of Public Moneys by RTÉ: Discussion (29 Jun 2023)

James O'Connor: This is absolutely outrageous. The chief financial officer of RTÉ cannot tell us what he is paid. Are we supposed to buy that?

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation and Expenditure of Public Moneys by RTÉ: Discussion (29 Jun 2023)

James O'Connor: I thank the Cathaoirleach. This meeting has taken a very dark turn from what we started out with today and what we saw yesterday. This is because a number of things have been said in the room. There have been denials and a change in vocabulary and tone. Something that really struck home to me was related to the barter fund. To have the former chair of RTÉ describe it as a "slush...

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation and Expenditure of Public Moneys by RTÉ: Discussion (29 Jun 2023)

James O'Connor: I will have to stop Ms Doherty because my time is very limited. She has been very generous in that answer. My next question is for Mr. Shortt. I am sorry to put him on the spot but we know the significance of his presence here on behalf of his organisation and the team he represents on the board. Was there widespread knowledge in the broadcasting team and were the lesser public figures...

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation and Expenditure of Public Moneys by RTÉ: Discussion (29 Jun 2023)

James O'Connor: Yes, and please keep the answer as short as possible as my time is quite limited.

Public Accounts Committee: Appropriation and Expenditure of Public Moneys by RTÉ: Discussion (29 Jun 2023)

James O'Connor: How did Mr. Shortt feel about it?