Results 2,281-2,300 of 6,530 for speaker:Ruairí Ó Murchú

Safe Staffing Levels in Hospitals: Statements (23 Mar 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: Had I realised I had this slot, I might not have dealt with quite as many issues yesterday; however, in fairness, I may revisit some of them. I hope we can get an answer on some of them. Like everyone else, I am very glad we are dealing with the issue of safe staffing levels in hospitals. We all know the issues that we had, particularly in December and January. We know of the chaotic...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Mar 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: We all accept the service and importance of what the Defence Forces do and the difficulties that they have to work with at times. That was drawn to our attention by the loss of Seán Rooney and I am aware that the Minister is dealing with the family in that respect at this time. The Minister has accepted that the compulsory retirement age at 50 does not suit for a considerable number...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Mar 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: I would not like to race Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick at the moment.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Mar 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: I agree. The nub of the issue is that we all accept that there is a problem in respect of 50 being the compulsory retirement age and we must get to the point of introducing the necessary flexibilities. It comes down to the timeline so that we at least know what sort of timeline we are looking at and whether that is for the interim or finalised arrangements. Can the Minister provide that...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Mar 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: 25. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will provide a definitive timeline on when a decision will be made about the mandatory retirement age of 50 years being extended for Defence Forces members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13880/23]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (23 Mar 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: 47. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the discussions with the Defence Forces and with the United Nations regarding the possibility of providing an increase in troop contribution to the UNIFIL mission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13879/23]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Attendance (23 Mar 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: 110. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide details of the number of referrals from schools for students missing days that are currently before education and welfare officers, by county; the dates these outstanding referrals were submitted by schools; the details of the current backlog; the measures being taken to deal with the backlog; and if she will make a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Funding (23 Mar 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: 116. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware of the issue at a national school in Louth (details supplied); the steps being taken to resolve the issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13877/23]

Health (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage (22 Mar 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: I have limited time so I will shoot through a considerable amount. Everyone welcomes the fact that hospital inpatient charges will be abolished but it should have been done better and more quickly. It should have happened a long time ago but we welcome it. There is a long journey ahead to reach the final destination of a decent universal healthcare system. We know we do not have such a...

Health (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage (22 Mar 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: It is crazy that it was pulled before we had even the Government's proposals and solutions in place. That is the crazy bit of it.

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (22 Mar 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: I am about to do something I do not generally do, which is to quote the remarks of the Tánaiste. This follows on from some of the conversation on Palestine and the brutal actions of the racist and apartheid Israeli regime, which no longer even bothers to put up a pretence. He stated: I am conscious that there is general consensus in the House about having a two-state solution and of...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (22 Mar 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: There is widespread agreement, including a fair amount among Government backbenchers, that it is crazy to lift the eviction ban. The Government has made a number of proposals. It is bonkers that anyone would consider lifting the ban until those proposals were at least in place. Regarding the tenantin situscheme, specifically in relation to HAP, are instructions given to local authorities...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: EU Strategic Autonomy: Discussion (22 Mar 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: This is my first opportunity to publicly welcome the Chair to his position. I hope he will allow me plenty of free rein, as the previous Chair did.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: EU Strategic Autonomy: Discussion (22 Mar 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: I thank Professor Cottey and Dr. McDonagh. We are in a changed geopolitical set-up. We probably had a certain element of consistency over many years that Vladimir Putin has turned on its head. Some will say we could look back at what he said and did previously and that perhaps there were lessons, but sometimes these things can be missed. When strategic autonomy is discussed at a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: EU Strategic Autonomy: Discussion (22 Mar 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: I did say something about leeway, did I not?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: EU Strategic Autonomy: Discussion (22 Mar 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: In fairness, when dealing with bright people, they know where the questions are in the middle of this.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: EU Strategic Autonomy: Discussion (22 Mar 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: The last thing I will throw out is that when I am talking about strategic autonomy, the fear and danger are that we must ensure we are not talking about European protectionism or a certain element of madness that puts further pressure on the Third World, given the issues it has and we have, such as climate change and so on.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Quarterly Update on Matters relating to Minister of State's Remit: Discussion (22 Mar 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: Is that work under way?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Quarterly Update on Matters relating to Minister of State's Remit: Discussion (22 Mar 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: The sooner the better.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Quarterly Update on Matters relating to Minister of State's Remit: Discussion (22 Mar 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: To follow up on the Chair's remarks on uninsured drivers, the committee has had engagement on this matter and the Road Traffic and Roads Bill will deal with certain scenarios. There was talk of the British legislation and the idea that a car as opposed to a person is uninsured. That would place a greater onus on us to ensure this does not happen. However, one of the big problems is the...