Results 1-20 of 1,972 for speaker:Steven Matthews in 'Dáil debates'

Health (Covid-19): Statements (16 Apr 2020)

Steven Matthews: This is my first time speaking in the Dáil. I take the opportunity to thank the voters of Wicklow for supporting me and for trusting me to be their representative in Dáil Éireann. I will endeavour to uphold their trust. I look forward to working with Members across this House towards a fair, equitable and sustainable future for all throughout our country. None of us...

Covid-19 (Business, Enterprise and Innovation): Statements (30 Apr 2020)

Steven Matthews: The Minister may have had the opportunity to read the recent National Economic and Social Council report on employment vulnerability as part of a just transition. It reports on the challenges of moving to a low-carbon and eventually to a zero-carbon economy, as well as the opportunities for innovation, employment retraining and investment. Just transition is described in that document as...

Estimates for Public Services 2020 - Vote 37 - Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Revised Estimate) (28 May 2020)

Steven Matthews: We are here today to examine the large budgetary requirement and the Estimates for the Department to put measures in place to allow that Department to continue making those payments and providing supports so many people are dependent on to get us through this unprecedented health emergency. These ongoing payments are necessary and are the right use of public money. Our responsibility here...

Estimates for Public Services 2020 - Vote 37 - Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Revised Estimate) (28 May 2020)

Steven Matthews: Does the Department plan to review the position of seasonal workers? Other Deputies have mentioned the massive job losses across tourism. So many people in those industries, including musicians, artists and people across the board, depend on the income over the three or four months of this time of year. They will not have any work this year. They will not have the income that they would...

Covid-19 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Steven Matthews: I have a number of questions for the Tánaiste regarding the EU, foreign affairs, trade and Covid-19. Before that, I would like to mention the ongoing situation in the US and the societal implications of racism at home and abroad. The Green Party stands in solidarity with all those who have experienced racism and oppression. The horrific killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis...

Estimates for Public Services 2020 (Resumed) (9 Jul 2020)

Steven Matthews: I wish to join others in congratulating the Minister on his reappointment to the Department. It is a very important appointment that ensures continuity, maintains experience and allows Deputy Coveney to continue the good work he has heretofore been doing with Deputy McEntee, especially regarding Brexit and relationships in Europe. Much of what I wish to ask about has already been raised so...

Protecting Jobs and Supporting Business: Statements (16 Sep 2020)

Steven Matthews: I am sharing time with Deputies Michael Moynihan and O'Donnell. I do not need to explain to anyone here the importance of the SME sector in Ireland, the substantial numbers that it employs and the significance of those operations throughout the regions, our towns and rural areas. I listened to Ursula von der Leyen's state of the European Union address today and was encouraged to hear the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Building Regulations (1 Oct 2020)

Steven Matthews: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, for being here to answer these questions. I request that the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government carry out a review to examine amending the building regulations to include the mandatory installation of adequate toilet facilities for disabled people and their carers, known as changing places facilities. The Minister will know...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Building Regulations (1 Oct 2020)

Steven Matthews: I thank the Minister of State for his response and welcome the fact that he has committed to giving consideration to a review of the provision of changing places. It will, of course, involve an amendment to Part M of the building regulations. I believe we should address the issue quickly and I will continue with the Minister of State and his Department to ensure that we can provide these...

Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters) Records, and another Matter, Bill 2020 [Seanad]: Second Stage (21 Oct 2020)

Steven Matthews: I, too, thank the Minister for the considerable amount of engagement he has had with Members regarding this Bill on this difficult subject matter. I refer, particularly, to the briefing yesterday which clearly outlined the intention behind this Bill we are discussing today and the difficulties with the existing commission legislation. The legislation being considered today has an...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (4 Nov 2020)

Steven Matthews: I thank the Minister for being here today to answer my questions on a long-running and unacceptable situation which is affecting students, parents and teachers in Greystones Community College in my constituency. I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the tremendous effort and hard work of teachers throughout this country as well as that of school staff, principals, secretaries and...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (4 Nov 2020)

Steven Matthews: I thank the Minister for her response, but it did not give me much information beyond what I have received already from her Department or others who have received communications from her Department. At the heart of this issue is the fact that the children are being taught in a tennis club which is totally unacceptable and unsuitable as classroom accommodation. I acknowledge that the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Wastewater Treatment (17 Nov 2020)

Steven Matthews: I draw the attention of the Minister of State to the most recent Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, report on waste water discharges highlighting non-compliance in many waste water treatment plants and their impact on receiving waters. It is a disgrace that in 2020 a total of 35 towns and villages are discharging raw sewage into nearby watercourses. It is equally disappointing that so...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Wastewater Treatment (17 Nov 2020)

Steven Matthews: I thank the Minister of State for his response. I acknowledge that Irish Water has been making progress and that it inherited a system that was not invested in for many years because investing in waste water treatment plants, or pipes in the ground, was not headline grabbing. We have neglected a very precious resource and the result of that neglect is that we have been discharging...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Direct Provision System (3 Dec 2020)

Steven Matthews: 138. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps he will take to ensure that persons being moved from direct provision are provided sufficient notice and adequate translation services to ensure this transition is as seamless as possible (details supplied). [39271/20]

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (14 Jan 2021)

Steven Matthews: Our programme for Government states a commission on housing will be established to review various aspects of housing provision concerning tenure and standards. There is an urgent need to address security of tenure and long-term tenancy rights for renters. We also seek high standards but are often let down by investigation and enforcement. Will the Tánaiste update us on progress for...

Covid-19 (Higher Education): Statements (14 Jan 2021)

Steven Matthews: I will share my time with Deputy Devlin. We will have five and a half minutes each.

Covid-19 (Higher Education): Statements (14 Jan 2021)

Steven Matthews: It is an extremely difficult year for students. The Minister acknowledged that in his opening contribution, as have many speakers in today's debate. There are difficulties across the entire education system for students of all ages. I acknowledge that all the staff, teachers, lecturers and support and administrative staff in both the Departments of Education and Further and Higher...

Brexit (Fishing Industry): Statements (21 Jan 2021)

Steven Matthews: Our fishers and our fishing communities are going through a tough and stressful time as outlined by the Minister in his opening statement and other Deputies. Despite the Brexit deal, there are still many uncertainties. We still do not know exactly the quotas and the total allowable catch that will be shared among the sector or what sustainability criteria will be applied to it. We cannot...

Dumping at Sea Act 1996 (Section 5(12)) (Commencement) Order 2021: Motion (11 Feb 2021)

Steven Matthews: We are discussing the decommissioning and removal of the Kinsale alpha platform. It is a relic of a time when we drilled holes in the ground to suck out gas and oil to burn. We took so much of these fossil fuels from the ground and burned them over so many decades that we have destroyed our environment and destabilised our climate. In the 1970s, when we sought our oil and gas fields, we...