Results 2,281-2,300 of 3,333 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 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]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Passport Services (23 Jun 2022)

James O'Connor: I thank the Minister for taking the question. I would like to get a better indication of the Department's understanding of the number of applications made per county. I want to get a greater understanding of how many applications there are on the island of Ireland, North and South. Thankfully, I got that information this morning. From an international perspective, I would like to separate...

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Chapter 3 - Central Government Funding of Local Authorities (23 Jun 2022)

James O'Connor: I welcome the officials to the committee and I thank them for the briefing they have provided. It is true that local government in Ireland does not get the level of scrutiny at an Oireachtas level that perhaps it should. I have been a member of a local authority, like many other members of this committee, and I want to ask Mr. Doyle if he thinks the current system is fit for purpose. The...

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Chapter 3 - Central Government Funding of Local Authorities (23 Jun 2022)

James O'Connor: I have to interrupt Mr. Doyle because I am against the clock. The Department sat on the Moorhead report for a long time. I know it required a decision to be taken, which was done. I am in no doubt about the enormous workload that is on county councils. I am concerned about the model we have, where people are essentially in a full-time job where they have that full-time responsibility of...

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Chapter 3 - Central Government Funding of Local Authorities (23 Jun 2022)

James O'Connor: What are the current requirements with regard to the disclosure of non-compliant procurement in the financial statements of local authorities?

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Chapter 3 - Central Government Funding of Local Authorities (23 Jun 2022)

James O'Connor: The committee is aware that the Department does not provide all of the central government funding to local authorities but notes it is responsible for ensuring there is an oversight of the mechanism in place. Has the Department of Transport, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment or any other Government Department consulted the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage...

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Chapter 3 - Central Government Funding of Local Authorities (23 Jun 2022)

James O'Connor: If a local control issue is identified as concerning by the audit service, does the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage give feedback to local authorities?

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Chapter 3 - Central Government Funding of Local Authorities (23 Jun 2022)

James O'Connor: How regularly would that happen? Surely Mr. Doyle knows that.

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Chapter 3 - Central Government Funding of Local Authorities (23 Jun 2022)

James O'Connor: If a failure is identified, what happens within the Department in respect of the disciplinary process for chief executives or senior management within local authorities? How does the Department go about the process of ensuring that there is a level of accountability and that key actions are taken after something that might be problematic has been identified? Will Mr. Doyle take me through...

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Chapter 3 - Central Government Funding of Local Authorities (23 Jun 2022)

James O'Connor: If a failure is identified, it is irregular for the Department to initiate any type of disciplinary procedure.