Results 181-200 of 789 for in 'Dáil debates' speaker:Duncan Smith

Drugs Policy: Motion [Private Members] (30 Nov 2022)

Duncan Smith: In politics, when the answer is more gardaí, sometimes it does not matter what the question is. It has been an evergreen answer for politicians over the years. Sometimes it is the right answer. With organised crime, murder, public order, cybercrime, and burglaries then yes, we need to resource the Garda. In the case of a drugs policy and tackling people with problematic addiction,...

Toll Charge Increases: Motion [Private Members] (29 Nov 2022)

Duncan Smith: I welcome the announcement of a six-month delay, but we understand the money is still going to have to be paid. The sum of €12.5 million will have to come from somewhere else to be paid to these eight PPP companies in order for the State to meet its contractual obligations. What has emerged from this is a worrying proposition, in terms of how we as a State, as the owner of the road...

Toll Charge Increases: Motion [Private Members] (29 Nov 2022)

Duncan Smith: I wish to share time with my colleague, Deputy Ged Nash.

COP27: Statements (29 Nov 2022)

Duncan Smith: Tackling climate change is an act of intergenerational and global solidarity, and the COP process is the only multilateral forum we have to do so. It is vital we make this process work. COP has shown it is able to deliver commitments and agreements, but action is what really counts. Realising the scale of the climate crisis we are facing, it is difficult not to be disheartened following...

Transport in Galway and Other Areas: Motion [Private Members] (23 Nov 2022)

Duncan Smith: It is great to have an opportunity to speak on the motion, although I do not profess to have any great insight into the Galway transport system. However, the proposer, Deputy Connelly, and, indeed, Deputy Farrell as Deputies for the area and the detail of the motion highlight the fundamental need for a bottom-up approach to a transport model that works for Galway. It is a wonderful city on...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Road Tolls (17 Nov 2022)

Duncan Smith: I hope he follows through. I was not expecting this today. I was not down to speak today. I am usually a suit man when I am speaking in the Dáil but this issue is such that I had to submit a Topical Issue matter. People are angry about this. Sometimes an issue can be the straw that breaks the camel's back. These tolling companies do not have to put their prices up. I have never...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Road Tolls (17 Nov 2022)

Duncan Smith: I think everyone in this House is. I have had representations on this issue from all over the country today, as I am sure everyone else has. People do not want to accept this increase. It is just too tough for them.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Road Tolls (17 Nov 2022)

Duncan Smith: The increase in tolls came as a bolt out of the blue for everyone, including Government, today. I am probably the only Deputy in this Chamber who does not have to go through a toll to get to Leinster House. I am looking at the M7, M8 and M9. We are all used to paying tolls. The M50 and the Dublin Port Tunnel are in my county. This is not about tolling as a revenue raiser. Nobody...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Transport (10 Nov 2022)

Duncan Smith: Some of the measures outlined by the Minister, such as CCTV and text alerts, are all well and good but what we need is increased staffing in the public transport operators. Over the years, we have made a virtue of having staffless rail stations. This has been a problem. If we had the traditional stationmasters as well as workers present on platforms, who have authority by virtue of being...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Transport (10 Nov 2022)

Duncan Smith: The Minister and I are on the same page. I do not agree with having a separate transport police or the private outsourcing of security. I do not like the level of security on the Luas because it adds to the degree to which people feel unsafe. Rather than increasing security measures on public transport, I would rather see traditional staffing levels improved across our public transport...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Transport (10 Nov 2022)

Duncan Smith: 12. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to implement a public transport security strategy; if he plans to include An Garda Síochána in such a strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55761/22]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Transport (10 Nov 2022)

Duncan Smith: The issue of safety on our public transport system has arisen often lately. Has the Minister plans to implement a new public transport security strategy and will he include An Garda Síochána in any discussion on such a strategy? My view, which I will outline when I speak again, is that there has been an unhelpful stoking of the issue by some in politics, but the matter can be...

Long Covid Health Services: Motion [Private Members] (9 Nov 2022)

Duncan Smith: I thank the Regional Group and Deputy Naughten for bringing this motion to the House. No more than the Labour Party and others, the Regional Group does not have Private Members' business very often so an awful lot of thought and care go into choosing the issues deemed to be of importance. A thorough debate in the Dáil on this issue is long overdue. People suffering from long Covid...

Home Care: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (8 Nov 2022)

Duncan Smith: Were all private providers involved?

Home Care: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (8 Nov 2022)

Duncan Smith: Well, I hope that they deliver and see pay delivered.

Home Care: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (8 Nov 2022)

Duncan Smith: I thank Deputy Cullinane for this excellent motion. A few weeks ago I was going door-to-door and came across a woman who had just come home and was getting out of her car in her driveway and was taking a moment to compose herself. I had that feeling with which we are all familiar of trying to deliver a leaflet and wondering what to do. She took the leaflet, called me back and asked me to...

Public Transport: Motion [Private Members] (25 Oct 2022)

Duncan Smith: I am delighted to speak on the motion, which has many wonderful and admirable asks which we have all been hearing from our constituents throughout the country, be it the western rail link to Donegal or rural transport in general. One thing I would like to focus on is the issue of security on our transport services. On social media in recent days we have seen an incident that took place on...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Dental Services (20 Oct 2022)

Duncan Smith: I am curious about this because I was lucky enough to have been a beneficiary of it as a child. I got extensive dental treatment through the Eastern Health Board in my local health centre and then in St. James's Hospital right through until I was a little bit older than 16. I have seen the benefits it can have for those who need it, of whom there are many, when it works and is functioning....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Dental Services (20 Oct 2022)

Duncan Smith: The public service provision is absolutely what we are talking about here and what we need to resource. Another thing being brought up by the dentists I am speaking to is the lack of oral or dental hygienists and how there may be a role for the national apprenticeship office in developing some kind of apprenticeship scheme in this area. The Irish Dental Association or dentists will probably...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Dental Services (20 Oct 2022)

Duncan Smith: 89. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to address the issue of backlogs in dental treatment for primary school children and the need for urgent recruitment of dentists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52376/22]