Results 181-200 of 7,126 for speaker:Alan Farrell

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Business of Select Committee (16 Oct 2024)

Alan Farrell: The minutes of our previous committee meetings on 7 and 28 February and 26 June have been circulated to members. Are the imeachtaí agreed? Agreed.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Service 2024
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Supplementary) (16 Oct 2024)

Alan Farrell: The purpose of this meeting is to consider the Supplementary Estimates for Public Services 2024 in respect of Vote 29 - Programme D - Environment, Climate and Communications. I remind members that the committee has no role in approving the Estimates. What we are doing constitutes an ongoing opportunity for the committee to examine departmental expenditure in order to make the process more...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Service 2024
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Supplementary) (16 Oct 2024)

Alan Farrell: For the information of members, this meeting is scheduled to be short. There is a speaking list. I thank the Minister for coming in and outlining information. I was not aware of the stark fact that in the region of 4,200 homes are being connected every month.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Service 2024
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Supplementary) (16 Oct 2024)

Alan Farrell: I thank the Minister of State for that welcome additional information. I call Deputy O'Rourke.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Service 2024
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Supplementary) (16 Oct 2024)

Alan Farrell: I thank Deputy O’Rourke. For my part, before I call in Deputy Feighan, I wish to say that it is fantastic to see this project working so quickly and efficiently. The additional information the Minister of State provided with regard to the number of homes that are being connected, at 10,000 per week-----

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Service 2024
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Supplementary) (16 Oct 2024)

Alan Farrell: Per month excuse me. It is a pretty astonishing number. It is fantastic to see. Arising from Deputy O'Rourke's contribution in respect of areas in urban environments where there are gaps, I am aware of a further gap. It might be a matter for ComReg but the Minister of State might have a view on it or it might have arisen before. There are a number of estates built in the noughties with...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Service 2024
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Supplementary) (16 Oct 2024)

Alan Farrell: For an inferior service.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Service 2024
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Supplementary) (16 Oct 2024)

Alan Farrell: Will that require transposition into Irish law?

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Service 2024
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Supplementary) (16 Oct 2024)

Alan Farrell: That is very welcome information. I thank the Minister of State. What does the European Act envisage in the scenario where there is a notionally privately owned duct in a private estate? We need to bear in mind that these are not public estates. These are invariably apartment complexes where an arrangement was made and the builder has gone off the scene. It is a private management...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Service 2024
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Supplementary) (16 Oct 2024)

Alan Farrell: I thank the Minister of State. That was very informative and helpful.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Service 2024
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Supplementary) (16 Oct 2024)

Alan Farrell: I hope somebody from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission is listening because it also offers that service. I agree with the Deputy that bonkers.ie is a good example.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Service 2024
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Supplementary) (16 Oct 2024)

Alan Farrell: The Minister of State is correct. The interest rate is 3% for the State-backed loan scheme for retrofitting. It was slightly off the Estimate.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Service 2024
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Supplementary) (16 Oct 2024)

Alan Farrell: Before we conclude, while we are on the subject of State support for general retrofits, the Minister of State mentioned VAT. It is not uniform across retrofitting products. We as a State need to revisit that decision. There are currently two different rates for construction-related products, such as heat pumps, for retrofitting. People are not sure what rate they should pay, in particular...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Service 2024
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Supplementary) (16 Oct 2024)

Alan Farrell: The Minister of State is absolutely right. It is often the people who need the support the most who are the ones in need of getting the job done. That is why a rate of 10% or 13% is important. Doing a retrofit does not involve a small amount of money. I thank the Minister of State and his officials for engaging with the committee. As we have now completed our consideration of...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Message to Dáil (16 Oct 2024)

Alan Farrell: In accordance with Standing Order 101, the following message will be sent to the Clerk of the Dáil: The Select Committee on Transport and Communications has completed its consideration of the following Supplementary Estimate for public services for the year ending 31 December 2024: Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Chair Designate of An Post: Discussion. (16 Oct 2024)

Alan Farrell: The purpose of today's meeting is to meet Mr. Kieran Mulvey to discuss his appointment as the chair designate of An Post. I am very pleased to welcome him back to Leinster House. He is not a stranger to these halls. I remind witnesses that they are to be cognisant of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not criticise or make charges against any person...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Chair Designate of An Post: Discussion. (16 Oct 2024)

Alan Farrell: Thank you very much, Mr. Mulvey, for your comprehensive statement and remarks. They are very much appreciated. I have a speaking rota and I happen to be first on the list and I will then take Deputies Crowe and Smith, just to be fair to everybody. If any members come in later, they can contribute as well. I am an suburban TD and to the best of my knowledge, there are four post offices...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Chair Designate of An Post: Discussion. (16 Oct 2024)

Alan Farrell: Some Members of the Houses have called for legislation to support cash transactions, notwithstanding the remarks of the Minister, Deputy Chambers. Is that a route of travel for the future?