Results 2,161-2,180 of 2,964 for speaker:James O'Connor

Public Accounts Committee: Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Financial Statements 2020 (24 Mar 2022)

James O'Connor: I welcome the SEAI to the committee room. First and foremost, I will start with issues pertaining to transport if that is okay. Mr. Meally is here from the transport section. I would like to ask about work that is being undertaken by the SEAI to help retrofit the national car fleet. In terms of grants that are currently available, the SEAI has set a cap at €60,000, which is now in...

Public Accounts Committee: Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Financial Statements 2020 (24 Mar 2022)

James O'Connor: Something I have noticed from looking at car prices online is that there seems to be a degree of price gouging going on in terms of the difference for, let us say, a person buying a new Avensis, for example, that would probably have cost €35,000 at the time. If he or she was choosing the hybrid model of the same vehicle, it was often the case that it could be multiples of thousands of...

Public Accounts Committee: Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Financial Statements 2020 (24 Mar 2022)

James O'Connor: The price of cars, of course, has gone up very significantly in the past number of years or, as a matter of fact, the past year. It is a concern. Part of my concern originates from the fact that we are now facing a situation whereby the State is pursuing a strategy of banning the sale of new diesel vehicles by 2030. We have this situation whereby many people are not in a position to...

Public Accounts Committee: Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Financial Statements 2020 (24 Mar 2022)

James O'Connor: Mr. Meally will understand I am under a lot of pressure with time so I will continue. I thank him for his response on that. Does he have any concerns or has the SEAI done any analysis overall, and I will open this question to any witness who wishes to answer, when it comes to the strain that is being put on it the national grid the moment? We are in a very precarious circumstance as we...

Public Accounts Committee: Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Financial Statements 2020 (24 Mar 2022)

James O'Connor: Okay. Approximately €100 million is being spent on energy efficiency schemes by the SEAI. I would like to gain an understanding of the schemes the SEAI is providing for businesses that may wish to go carbon neutral, particularly in rural areas and towns where they may actually have the space behind or above premises for solar and small wind microgeneration. This is an area in which...

Public Accounts Committee: Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: Financial Statements 2020 (24 Mar 2022)

James O'Connor: What is the SEAI doing in the area of the provision of an advisory service in order to enable and help people along in that transition?

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (24 Mar 2022)

James O'Connor: I support Deputy Carthy's comments on the work undertaken by RTÉ and commend it on that. I strongly believe that the Committee of Public Accounts should look into the particular area of local authorities and their expenditure and management. There is another Oireachtas committee but it is similar to what we do with the HSE and the Department of Health and we should be looking at local...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (24 Mar 2022)

James O'Connor: 60. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his Department’s plans to improve the pay and conditions of professionals in the childcare sector and to help increase the availability of childcare places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15481/22]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (24 Mar 2022)

James O'Connor: 134. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the current timelines for first-time applications and renewals of passports in Ireland; the number of passports processed to date in 2022 in comparison to 2021; the number of passports that remain to be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15483/22]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (24 Mar 2022)

James O'Connor: 108. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his Department’s plans to expand the Irish diplomatic presence in the Middle East given the current circumstances surrounding energy security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15482/22]

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Early Childhood Care and Education (24 Mar 2022)

James O'Connor: 305. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports that are in place for early years providers that face an unexpected loss of premises; if his Department’s sustainability fund can be accessed for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15317/22]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Fuel Prices: Discussion (23 Mar 2022)

James O'Connor: I welcome the witnesses. I will start with the IRHA. I thank Mr. Drennan for being here and commend him. He has provided helpful information to members of the committee who have sought guidance and is doing an excellent job in his role. What confidence does Mr. Drennan have in fuel security over the next six months? How close did we get a couple of weeks ago, from a supply point of view,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Fuel Prices: Discussion (23 Mar 2022)

James O'Connor: Massaging.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Fuel Prices: Discussion (23 Mar 2022)

James O'Connor: I have very limited time. Would it be possible to continue with my slot?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Fuel Prices: Discussion (23 Mar 2022)

James O'Connor: Coming back to fuel security, what issues did the hauliers come across? Can Mr. Drennan give us an insight? Many people in the public domain are not aware of what happened

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Fuel Prices: Discussion (23 Mar 2022)

James O'Connor: We have to call a spade a spade because-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Fuel Prices: Discussion (23 Mar 2022)

James O'Connor: I get in trouble fairly regularly for doing it. A concern is that supply at the moment is being outstripped by demand. I envisage us reaching a situation where, despite the rebate that has been put in place, we quite easily hit the price points that were reached. What confidence do our guests have in the current arrangement that has been reached through their work with the Department of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Fuel Prices: Discussion (23 Mar 2022)

James O'Connor: I am referring to the actual price being kept at a relatively affordable level for hauliers.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Fuel Prices: Discussion (23 Mar 2022)

James O'Connor: Is a cap needed?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Fuel Prices: Discussion (23 Mar 2022)

James O'Connor: I suppose the departmental view is that such a cap would be highly interventionist and would cause supply issues into the country. That is what has been said to many Oireachtas Members. Does Mr. Drennan reject that viewpoint?