Results 2,241-2,260 of 4,708 for speaker:Neale Richmond

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (16 Dec 2021)

Neale Richmond: I raise a difficult case on which I have been working all week. It relates to a constituent who simply has not been able to access particular services for an eating disorder. I give thanks for the efforts of the office of the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, and even more welcome has been the wider funding. The issue is being resolved. However, this is a clear case of an individual and a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Mortgage Interest Rates (16 Dec 2021)

Neale Richmond: The Minister of State rightly says that this is a small market with unique challenges, particularly in the requirement for retained capital, but we are part of the world’s largest economic block and the Single Market. We see in so many different areas the opportunity and competition that present not just to Irish consumers but also to Irish exporters in terms of goods and services....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Mortgage Interest Rates (16 Dec 2021)

Neale Richmond: 99. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on whether there is scope for increased competition for loans and mortgages within the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62134/21]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Mortgage Interest Rates (16 Dec 2021)

Neale Richmond: After such an explosion of festive goodwill, I am loath to ask about mortgages, but I am afraid I am going to have to. As the Minister of State knows, Ireland has one of the highest mortgage rates in the eurozone. I ask him what efforts are being made by the Government to look at competition across the EU for mortgage rates and for loans.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Mortgage Interest Rates (16 Dec 2021)

Neale Richmond: I want to pick up on one of the last points. The Minister of State mentioned the very welcome decline in interest rates to an average of 2.73% in this State in October but we have to remember that compares to a eurozone average of 1.28%, so it is more than double the average for comparative European markets. To put that into actual figures, the average Irish mortgage holder will pay almost...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Haulage Industry (16 Dec 2021)

Neale Richmond: 41. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on steps being taken to alleviate the shortage of HGV drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62136/21]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Reliefs (16 Dec 2021)

Neale Richmond: 131. To ask the Minister for Finance if he has considered making tips received in the hospitality sector tax free; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62133/21]

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Television Licence Fee (15 Dec 2021)

Neale Richmond: 80. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of television licence fines that were issued by An Post in each of the years 2015 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62206/21]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Pension Provisions (15 Dec 2021)

Neale Richmond: 130. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she intends on charging PRSI on pensioners over 66 years of age, as per the recommendation of the Pensions Commission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62177/21]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Issues Related to the National Lottery: Discussion (15 Dec 2021)

Neale Richmond: I welcome our guests to this important meeting. I refer to the seeking of regulatory approval to introduce a must-be-won draw. Mr. Algeo referred in his opening remarks to knowing his customers. Let us be frank: if it were not for the campaign by Deputy Durkan, Mr. Algeo would not be doing this.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Issues Related to the National Lottery: Discussion (15 Dec 2021)

Neale Richmond: It is interesting that we only heard about it the night before Mr. Algeo was due to appear before the committee. Not for the first time in my political career, I think we all owe a debt of gratitude to Deputy Durkan, regardless of our political shade. On that note, how much money has been spent on advertising since November? How does that compare with the previous two years?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Issues Related to the National Lottery: Discussion (15 Dec 2021)

Neale Richmond: Why not?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Issues Related to the National Lottery: Discussion (15 Dec 2021)

Neale Richmond: Surely advertising spend is beyond commercially sensitive. If there is a rollover draw that is not being won and a campaign of understandable public concern that it is not being won, and there has clearly been a significant increase in the level of advertising, Mr. Algeo should be able to furnish those details to an Oireachtas committee. If he is not prepared to do so at this stage or does...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Issues Related to the National Lottery: Discussion (15 Dec 2021)

Neale Richmond: Okay. Mr. Algeo would have to admit there has been a significant volume of advertising, regardless of the amount that has been spent, since November.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Issues Related to the National Lottery: Discussion (15 Dec 2021)

Neale Richmond: It varies, but it is clear to me that this draw was not being won, focus was rightly brought to it by a Member of the Oireachtas and the amount of advertising increased. I wish to return to an element of the replies Mr. Algeo provided to Deputy Durkan. He stated there has not been an actual decline in sales but there has been a short-term decline in sales. I ask him to provide a little...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Issues Related to the National Lottery: Discussion (15 Dec 2021)

Neale Richmond: Yes, but I am more interested in the short-term decline.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Issues Related to the National Lottery: Discussion (15 Dec 2021)

Neale Richmond: As Mr. Algeo stated, compared with PLI, but also just in terms of sales for the past six months and how they have compared.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Issues Related to the National Lottery: Discussion (15 Dec 2021)

Neale Richmond: It is a little concerning because, obviously, there is public money involved and this has become a significant focus of attention and now we are having one of these must-be-won draws. Does Mr. Algeo envisage this being required again in future? Is it his intention to let it go for 50 rollovers or 51 rollovers or, as Deputy Farrell suggested, to perhaps look at European or UK models?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Issues Related to the National Lottery: Discussion (15 Dec 2021)

Neale Richmond: I thank the regulator for her opening statement and replies to Deputy Durkan. I will pick up on her initial replies to him. She said, in line with what the previous witness said, that PLI had mentioned in early November the prospect of a must-win draw, which it subsequently requested on 7 December, eight days or - correct me if I am wrong - two draws ago. Had it ever mentioned it before then?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Issues Related to the National Lottery: Discussion (15 Dec 2021)

Neale Richmond: In the very recent history of PLI being the operator, has there even a discussion of a must-be-won draw? Is this something that has been invented to address a growing concern highlighted, as I mentioned, by Deputy Durkan, or is this common practice in other games across the world? Would this be happening if very serious attention was not being given to it, by this committee and others?