Results 1-20 of 258 for speaker:Paul Lawless

Common Agricultural Policy and Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan: Statements (15 May 2025)

Paul Lawless: I welcome the Minister and wish him all the best in the years ahead. I also welcome the IFA president, Mr Francie Gorman, who is here. There are so many issues we could talk about, from GAEC 2 and the major concerns farmers have about it, to the ACRES scheme and the lack of payments, forestry issues, the Mercosur deal, and the TB issue my colleague referenced. There are major concerns...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (15 May 2025)

Paul Lawless: First Choice Credit Union has announced reduced opening hours at several credit unions across Mayo, namely those in Achill, Balla, Ballyhaunis, Swinford and Kiltimagh. This is the latest onslaught and the latest decline. Ballyhaunis and Kiltimagh, for example, recently lost two of their banks. The credit union is the last banking institution left in these towns. These were once thriving...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Planning Framework (15 May 2025)

Paul Lawless: 60. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he has confidence in the national planning framework considering its lack of emphasis on the practical supports needed to implement these developments over the next 15 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24352/25]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (15 May 2025)

Paul Lawless: 116. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he and his Department are more carefully vetting the potential applicants for the proposed housing 'tsar', in light of the issues surrounding a former candidate (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24353/25]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (15 May 2025)

Paul Lawless: 159. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason he declined to attend the annual Garda Representative Association, GRA, conference; if he acknowledges his responsibility to hear the concerns of those in the GRA, especially considering the 2023 vote of no confidence in the Garda Commissioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24170/25]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (15 May 2025)

Paul Lawless: 180. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the timeline for legislation to be published regarding the use of victims' counselling notes during sexual assault trials; if he acknowledges the lack of knowledge for victims surrounding this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24171/25]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (15 May 2025)

Paul Lawless: 315. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive ​confirmation for a double hip surgery replacement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24921/25]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Misuse of Drugs (15 May 2025)

Paul Lawless: 324. To ask the Minister for Health the date for when legislation will classify hexahydrocannabinol, HHC, as a schedule 1 controlled drug under the misuse of drugs legislative framework, with a particular focus on its use in vaping and the risks of accessibility to minors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24971/25]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Dental Services (15 May 2025)

Paul Lawless: 326. To ask the Minister for Health to provide a breakdown of the number of public dentists who have retired in each county in each of the past ten years, in tabular form. [24997/25]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Dental Services (15 May 2025)

Paul Lawless: 327. To ask the Minister for Health to provide a breakdown of the number of public dentists who have been hired in each county in each of the past ten years, in tabular form. [24998/25]

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (14 May 2025)

Paul Lawless: Will the Taoiseach engage with the VFI on the excise-----

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (14 May 2025)

Paul Lawless: Will the Taoiseach engage with the VFI?

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (14 May 2025)

Paul Lawless: A pint in a pub is a healthier pint. There is a social dimension and, crucially, there is a referee. Government policy over recent years has hurt rural pubs. An average of 150 pubs close every year. Over the last 20 years, 2,000 pubs have closed. I raise the issue of excise duty and various different taxes. A third of the cost of a pint goes on excise duty. It is the second highest in...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (14 May 2025)

Paul Lawless: 22. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a person (details supplied) can expect a driving test appointment, given they have been waiting since November 2024 and urgently require it for their daily commute to work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24533/25]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Farm Partnerships (14 May 2025)

Paul Lawless: 155. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive a decision on their application for a farm partnership. [24667/25]

Housing and Critical Infrastructure: Motion [Private Members] (13 May 2025)

Paul Lawless: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the motion. I only have three and a half minutes and there are so many issues. My first point is that there are major delays with An Bord Pleanála. I know people in my constituency who have been years in the planning system. It took them months to get the planning and then more than a year waiting for a decision on an appeal to An Bord...

Power of Higher Education, Research and Skills as Economic Enablers in a Changing World: Statements (13 May 2025)

Paul Lawless: I will start by wishing the Minister of State, Deputy Harkin, and the Minister, Deputy James Lawless, the best of luck for the years ahead. I am of the view that apprentices have been treated like second-class citizens in comparison with their counterparts in the university system. I spoke to a builder the other day who told me he could hire 20 lads tomorrow morning if he could find...

Power of Higher Education, Research and Skills as Economic Enablers in a Changing World: Statements (13 May 2025)

Paul Lawless: We are going to do the same thing again. That is why the teachers are balloting. I ask the Minister and the Minister of State to engage with the unions in a respectful way that will bring about reform that will be tolerable for teachers and students alike.

Parental Choice in Education: Motion [Private Members] (8 May 2025)

Paul Lawless: I wish to start by congratulating the new Pope. I believe there is white smoke in the Vatican. I congratulate the new Pope. It is great news. I read the motion and I listened to the Social Democrats' contributions. To be honest I am quite surprised. They talk about pluralism and choice but it seems that the only choice they want to provide is the choice of those people who agree with...

Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021: Motion (8 May 2025)

Paul Lawless: I welcome the proposal which has been a positive introduction for many businesses in the hospitality sector. However, like the previous Deputy, I would like to raise issues around local authorities rating outdoor seating. It is very unfair on businesses, particularly in the hospitality sector, which have been hammered in recent years. The increased cost of doing business has resulted in...