Results 2,181-2,200 of 3,697 for speaker:Michael Lowry

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Job Creation (23 Nov 2017)

Michael Lowry: 4. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the efforts being made by State agencies, in particular the IDA, to attract jobs and investment to towns in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49765/17]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Job Creation (23 Nov 2017)

Michael Lowry: I ask the Tánaiste, in her capacity as Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, the efforts being made by State agencies, notably the IDA, to attract jobs and investment to towns across County Tipperary which continue to suffer from the lack of economic progress and are increasingly left behind in the economic upturn.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Job Creation (23 Nov 2017)

Michael Lowry: The reality on the ground is that the economic difficulties being experienced by all of Ireland's inland towns, not just in Tipperary, are well documented. Towns such as Thurles, Roscrea, Templemore, Cashel, Nenagh, Tipperary town and Carrick-on-Suir have been left behind. They were once vibrant retail towns and they are now facing huge difficulties such as competition from suburban...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Job Creation (23 Nov 2017)

Michael Lowry: In that regard, there is one other issue I would like the Minister's comments on. Her Department is feeding into the national planning framework that is currently out there for public discussion. The criteria and classification used in this plan mean that in Tipperary, for example, Clonmel is the only designated large town and, because of the criteria established, many towns are left out....

Leaders' Questions (14 Nov 2017)

Michael Lowry: There is unease over the lack of transparency of this scheme. There is a strongly held view in financial lending circles of favouritism towards the pillar banks and that the conditions of eligibility to the fund are structured in order to suit the big established players in the market - a view that the existing terms and conditions and format are anti-competitive and have a detrimental...

Leaders' Questions (12 Oct 2017)

Michael Lowry: I appreciate the Tánaiste's clarification on the fund that is available. The reaction of people to the measure since it was announced leads me to believe €300 million will not be sufficient but it is a genuine effort to help small companies that have trading difficulties with the UK. There are many such companies and they are a huge source of employment, in particular in rural...

Leaders' Questions (12 Oct 2017)

Michael Lowry: I am seeking clarification and detail on the Brexit fund for small and medium-sized enterprises, SMEs, announced in Tuesday's Budget Statement. Connected to that is the issue of the European Union-Mercosur trade deal. Agriculture is Ireland's largest indigenous sector with over 300,000 people employed directly or indirectly in the agrifood sector. County Tipperary has a proud tradition...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2017 and Retransmission Fees: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Oct 2017)

Michael Lowry: I thank the TV3 representatives for the informative contribution that they have made to today's meeting. I admire the success of TV3. I would compare TV3 to any business. Every business in the past eight to ten years has struggled and it is a credit to TV3 that it has managed to survived in a difficult market. Since the investment of Virgin Media, it is clear that there is an improvement...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (3 Oct 2017)

Michael Lowry: 119. To ask the Minister for Finance if it is possible to claim relief on the MED 2 form for dental treatment (details supplied). [41765/17]

Leader's Questions (11 Jul 2017)

Michael Lowry: I appreciate the Taoiseach's response, but will he address the issue of farm inspections and having an independent appeals assessment process with an independent chairman? Farm inspections are a requirement under CAP direct payments. Will the Government give a clear commitment to apply pressure at EU level to have this matter addressed under the CAP simplification review that is under way?...

Leader's Questions (11 Jul 2017)

Michael Lowry: Yesterday, I dropped into my local mart in mid-Tipperary where I met farmers, a number of whom asked me directly how interested the new Taoiseach was in agricultural matters and how aware he was of the problems in agriculture. I assured them that the Taoiseach has a clear understanding of the significance and importance of agriculture and food to the economy, the value of our exports and the...

Nomination of Taoiseach (Resumed) (14 Jun 2017)

Michael Lowry: When Deputy Howlin attacks me in such a manner as he did today, he insults the people of Tipperary who vote for me as an elected representative of this House. I remind Deputy Howlin that, like every Member of this House here today, I have a democratic mandate from the people of Tipperary who have voted for me consistently and put me as their representative in this House. I have enjoyed...

Nomination of Taoiseach (Resumed) (14 Jun 2017)

Michael Lowry: After the previous general election we had political fragmentation and prolonged confusion. It was difficult for our Parliament to find a way to respond to the will of the people and the result they had delivered. Many Members decided to sit on the sideline to observe from a distance, do nothing and criticise everything. I took the decision that our country and its people needed a...

Nursing Homes Support Scheme: Motion [Private Members] (31 May 2017)

Michael Lowry: I take the opportunity to endorse and support the motion. The fair deal nursing homes scheme provides great assistance and professional care for many older people and their families. Unfortunately, the current form of the scheme is creating uncertainty and anxiety among many farm families and small business owners. The vagueness created by the potentially uncapped liability on the...

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Minerals Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (17 May 2017)

Michael Lowry: What is the specified period?

Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Minerals Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (17 May 2017)

Michael Lowry: Is it open?

Leaders' Questions (11 May 2017)

Michael Lowry: This House is convulsed by the proposed sacking of one individual, the Garda Commissioner, but I draw the Tánaiste's attention to the fact that a decision of Bord na Móna last week effectively sacked 122 workers in Tipperary. The decision of Bord na Móna's board of directors is having a major impact on the local community. We do not agree with the decision or the...

Leaders' Questions (11 May 2017)

Michael Lowry: Our first priority is to make the case for a time extension. A ready argument for this relates to the 260,000 tonnes of peat that are piled up at various points around the bog. The factory uses approximately 7,000 tonnes per week, which means that enough peat is available to keep the plant running for another 37 weeks. That should be possible, as should a third harvest. The redundancy...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Greyhound Industry (4 May 2017)

Michael Lowry: At the private and public meetings we regularly attended we were told that Harold's Cross greyhound stadium was not worth selling and that it was valued between €4 million and €6 million. Other public representatives and I have been lambasted, but my theory is very simple. The board needs to spend its money. It is servicing a debt and paying an interest bill of €1.15...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Greyhound Industry (4 May 2017)

Michael Lowry: 4. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the current crisis in the greyhound industry which is administered by the Irish Greyhound Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21384/17]