Results 2,161-2,180 of 3,222 for speaker:James O'Connor

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 27 - International Co-operation
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (30 Jun 2022)

James O'Connor: I have one more question to ask in my final minute. I recently travelled to Belfast to see Cork playing against Antrim. On my way home, I said I would drop out to see the facility where passports are printed. That was a Sunday. What struck me is that it was closed that day. At the height of the demand for passports, did Ms Byrne ever consider that passport offices should effectively...

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 27 - International Co-operation
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (30 Jun 2022)

James O'Connor: Okay.

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 27 - International Co-operation
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (30 Jun 2022)

James O'Connor: Does Ms Byrne think there would have been merit in opening the public offices as a temporary emergency measure for those three or four months when the pressure came on?

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 27 - International Co-operation
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (30 Jun 2022)

James O'Connor: Okay.

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 27 - International Co-operation
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (30 Jun 2022)

James O'Connor: The next phase of my questioning is about the investment we are making in Africa. I was there recently and commend the work done by the Department of Foreign Affairs. It is very much a strategic growth zone in the global economy and it is very interesting to see the interest being taken by China and the European Union in investing in Africa in general. Will the witnesses provide an outline...

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 27 - International Co-operation
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (30 Jun 2022)

James O'Connor: The Department has a really fascinating development in Japan, which is fantastic. I believe it is called Ireland House. Currently, many State services are being run out of Dubai for quite a large part of the Middle East, even Egypt and other locations. It is crucial for the likes of Bord Bia and other State agencies to have a base on the African continent where they could operate for that...

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 27 - International Co-operation
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (30 Jun 2022)

James O'Connor: The Chair raised an interesting point on salary arrangements. As a Deputy, if I were to lose my seat tomorrow and am subsequently elected to the Seanad or, in 2024, to a local authority, I would not continue to receive a Deputy's salary. Yet, if I were the Secretary General of the Department of Health on just shy of €300,000 and I became the ambassador to Germany, I would take that...

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 27 - International Co-operation
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (30 Jun 2022)

James O'Connor: Just the structure of it. I am not trying to trap the Comptroller and Auditor General.

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 27 - International Co-operation
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (30 Jun 2022)

James O'Connor: Am I right in saying that is probably the only career in the Civil Service where such a pay arrangement is in place?

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 27 - International Co-operation
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (30 Jun 2022)

James O'Connor: I am not trying to undermine the work of the Department of Foreign Affairs does. It does enormously positive work on behalf of the State, but that rule irks me a bit. People are not fully aware of this rule and it should not be in place. I appreciate we must get the top people into those roles, particularly where diplomatic relations may be strained or there is a strategic interest.

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 27 - International Co-operation
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (30 Jun 2022)

James O'Connor: Mr. Cleary is here. Does the Department Public Expenditure and Reform have a view on this?

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 27 - International Co-operation
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (30 Jun 2022)

James O'Connor: I get that, and that is to be accepted, but the Taoiseach is Head of the Government and he does not get paid remotely near that amount. I asked Ms Byrne about a printing facility being located somewhere in the south of the country. I understand the building in Cork is reaching the end of its lifespan, according to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Is there any consideration there? He has...

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 27 - International Co-operation
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (30 Jun 2022)

James O'Connor: Are there costings available? Has the service done any costings on that for the Minister or for the Department? I am sure there have been, because the question has been asked regularly.

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 27 - International Co-operation
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (30 Jun 2022)

James O'Connor: Has the service done a costing on locating one in Cork? If Ms Byrne does not have the answer, will she come back to the Committee on Public Accounts with it?

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Funding (30 Jun 2022)

James O'Connor: 60. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the supports for increased digital supports and teaching in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34985/22]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Naval Service (28 Jun 2022)

James O'Connor: 75. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the plans that are in place for the future use of the LÉ Eithne; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34198/22]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Naval Service (28 Jun 2022)

James O'Connor: I thank the Minister for being here. This question concerns the LÉ Eithne, which is a prominent ship in our Naval Service and which serves as our flagship. The vessel was built in the constituency represented by Deputy Stanton and me. I ask the Minister for an update on its future use. I would appreciate any details that he may be able to provide.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Naval Service (28 Jun 2022)

James O'Connor: I thank the Minister for the update. It is welcome to hear that an examination is under way, especially regarding the future use of the LÉ Eithne, including, perhaps, for tourist purposes within the State. It is, of course, of great historical significance. It was the last of our Naval Service ships that was constructed in Cobh in Cork Harbour. It would be fabulous to see it being...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Naval Service (28 Jun 2022)

James O'Connor: I wholeheartedly agree with the point made that if theLÉ Eithnewere to be turned into a maritime museum that it should not be up to the Defence Forces to foot the bill. The co-operation of the Defence Forces would be more than welcome, but it is great to see that Cork County Council and that councillors on that local authority have expressed interest in this regard. Approaches have...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (28 Jun 2022)

James O'Connor: 98. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans for an accelerated programme of Naval Service vessel replacement to ensure a balanced fleet of nine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34199/22]