Results 221-240 of 2,957 for speaker:James O'Connor
- Financial Resolutions 2024 - Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (3 Oct 2024)
James O'Connor: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Collins, for sharing time. I join in the congratulations to my colleague the Minster, Deputy Chambers, on his first budget. I do not doubt that it was a difficult task for him and the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, to piece together the budget over recent months. I want to share some of my thoughts and feelings on the budget. There are very obvious...
- Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ambulance Service (3 Oct 2024)
James O'Connor: 13. To ask the Minister for Health if he will discuss the HSE capital plan project to develop a new ambulance training college in a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39428/24]
- Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ambulance Service (3 Oct 2024)
James O'Connor: Once again, I take the opportunity to raise a constituency matter with the Minister. It relates to Youghal, County Cork, my home town and new capital developments there. I am really delighted with the progress that has been made under the HSE capital development plan. I worked very hard with the Minister and Minister of State, Deputy Butler, on delivering a new community nursing unit and a...
- Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ambulance Service (3 Oct 2024)
James O'Connor: I welcome that. I am delighted there has been progress since we last spoke about this matter. I met the Minister in his office with departmental officials about this, and it is something we have been working on together. Youghal, as a town, has taken a hammering historically. There were 4,000 people directly employed in traditional industries there and Kodak flash cameras were made there....
- Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ambulance Service (3 Oct 2024)
James O'Connor: I am very pleased with that information. I am delighted to hear that the Minister will be in Youghal and about the difference the capital development will make. I recognise the contribution the ambulance service makes to our community. It is under huge pressure, as its staff tell me. Above all else, the new facility will bring a new generation of young people into the service, making a...
- Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Medical Cards (3 Oct 2024)
James O'Connor: I see the point the Minister is making. It does not necessarily mean I wholeheartedly agree with it, but he is right to outline that. We do this best on the basis of age. I acknowledge the Department with its enormous resources has to prioritise what it feels is in the best interests of caring for the needs of our population around this expenditure and providing the best access to...
- Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Medical Cards (3 Oct 2024)
James O'Connor: I know I have raised this with the Minister previously, but in that specific area around Rathcormack and in north Cork generally, people accessing healthcare services has been a huge difficulty and a huge challenge. In particular, I think of the town of Mitchelstown. I have raised here many times cases of a concentration of the healthcare resources in a primary care centre that is privately...
- Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Medical Cards (3 Oct 2024)
James O'Connor: 8. To ask the Minister for Health if he will reconsider the eligibility rules for medical cards and GP cards for those with chronic and incurable autoimmune diseases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39429/24]
- Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Medical Cards (3 Oct 2024)
James O'Connor: My question concerns the eligibility rules for medical cards and GP cards in respect of people with chronic and incurable autoimmune diseases. This is an important issue for those it affects. These are difficult healthcare conditions that come with a lot of ramifications for quality of life and in terms of costs. People need access to community healthcare at a fair and affordable price....
- Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Active Travel (3 Oct 2024)
James O'Connor: 73. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on an active travel project (details supplied); the stage the project is at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39547/24]
- Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (3 Oct 2024)
James O'Connor: 74. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on a road project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39548/24]
- Finance (Provision of Access to Cash Infrastructure) Bill 2024: Second Stage (26 Sep 2024)
James O'Connor: I thank Deputy Troy for allowing me to use some of his time and the House for allowing me to speak. This is a very important issue to me personally. We must remember the prelude to why this came about through the good work of the previous Minister, Michael McGrath, and now with the Minister, Deputy Chambers. I recognise my constituency neighbour in the Minister of State, Deputy Butler....
- Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (26 Sep 2024)
James O'Connor: While I am on my feet discussing this issue, it is important also to discuss morale within An Garda Síochána. I speak to many people around my own age - I am 27 years of age - who have come through the Garda training college and are going into the force. Another issue that is important in rural Ireland is garda transfers. Many members of An Garda Síochána come to me...
- Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (26 Sep 2024)
James O'Connor: 7. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Gardaí in each district in the Cork East constituency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38186/24]
- Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (26 Sep 2024)
James O'Connor: I raise the important issue of Garda resources and numbers in my constituency. I ask the Minister of State to set out the number of gardaí in each district in the Cork East constituency and if to make statement on the matter. I raise this issue because we have seen a substantial decline in the number of gardaí in my constituency. According to our latest available figures, we are...
- Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (26 Sep 2024)
James O'Connor: I thank the Minister of State for that information. Above all else, I am here to represent the people of Cork East and it is an honour to do so. It is a constituency that is growing incredibly quickly. A sign of this was the latest census and constituency boundary review. More than 20,000 electors have been moved to different constituencies and this just gives an idea of the scale of the...
- Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community:
I welcome our guests. I remind people of their privileges and that they cannot participate if they are outside of Leinster House, etc. Those giving evidence have to be physically present within the grounds of Leinster House and should not criticise or make charges against any person, or identify him or her by name or in such a way that makes him or her identifiable. I think we all understand that.
I propose that we publish the opening statements from our witnesses. Is that agreed? Agreed. I suggest that we invite our witnesses to speak for five or ten minutes and that we allow members to ask questions and make comments for approximately five minutes. Members may ask more questions after everybody gets an opportunity to speak.
The committee is looking at Travellers' experience of the justice system. Today we will focus on Travellers in prison. The committee has already visited Castlerea Prison, Mountjoy Female Prison - the Dóchas Centre - and Oberstown Children Detention Campus. Travellers represent less than 1% of the population yet we make up 8% of male prisoners, 16% of female prisoners and 21% of children detained. The committee looks forward to hearing from our witnesses about this very important subject. We would like to hear about the experience of Travellers dealing with the justice system, including prison, and how we can make things better.
We are grateful to our witnesses for coming here today. They include representatives of the Irish Penal Reform Trust, the Traveller Justice Initiative, the Traveller Mediation Service and Barnardos.
Our witnesses are all very welcome here today.
It is very important for us as a committee to examine the justice system and, most importantly, why there are so many Travellers in prison in this country and what supports we need for Travellers. I am sure we all know the answers but it is important we document those answers and that this committee has a responsibility to work with the Traveller community.
We will begin with one quote a young man said to me in 2020. It was his first time to be in court and he was very nervous. I said to him he will be okay and that everything will be fine. He said, "No Eileen, I am already guilty." I said no, he would not be and that was up to the judge. He said, "I am guilty on the basis of being a member of the Traveller community." I want us all to be mindful of that before we start.
I will open it up to our witnesses. I ask Ms Saoirse Brady to begin.
(26 Sep 2024) James O'Connor: I wish to raise the issue of Uisce Éireann’s profitability. I read from the 2023 financial statements that it had reported a profit of €329 million compared to €221 million in 2022. Is that correct?
- Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community:
I welcome our guests. I remind people of their privileges and that they cannot participate if they are outside of Leinster House, etc. Those giving evidence have to be physically present within the grounds of Leinster House and should not criticise or make charges against any person, or identify him or her by name or in such a way that makes him or her identifiable. I think we all understand that.
I propose that we publish the opening statements from our witnesses. Is that agreed? Agreed. I suggest that we invite our witnesses to speak for five or ten minutes and that we allow members to ask questions and make comments for approximately five minutes. Members may ask more questions after everybody gets an opportunity to speak.
The committee is looking at Travellers' experience of the justice system. Today we will focus on Travellers in prison. The committee has already visited Castlerea Prison, Mountjoy Female Prison - the Dóchas Centre - and Oberstown Children Detention Campus. Travellers represent less than 1% of the population yet we make up 8% of male prisoners, 16% of female prisoners and 21% of children detained. The committee looks forward to hearing from our witnesses about this very important subject. We would like to hear about the experience of Travellers dealing with the justice system, including prison, and how we can make things better.
We are grateful to our witnesses for coming here today. They include representatives of the Irish Penal Reform Trust, the Traveller Justice Initiative, the Traveller Mediation Service and Barnardos.
Our witnesses are all very welcome here today.
It is very important for us as a committee to examine the justice system and, most importantly, why there are so many Travellers in prison in this country and what supports we need for Travellers. I am sure we all know the answers but it is important we document those answers and that this committee has a responsibility to work with the Traveller community.
We will begin with one quote a young man said to me in 2020. It was his first time to be in court and he was very nervous. I said to him he will be okay and that everything will be fine. He said, "No Eileen, I am already guilty." I said no, he would not be and that was up to the judge. He said, "I am guilty on the basis of being a member of the Traveller community." I want us all to be mindful of that before we start.
I will open it up to our witnesses. I ask Ms Saoirse Brady to begin.
(26 Sep 2024) James O'Connor: Being a rural TD is often an interesting task. We represent many small villages and towns that are a long way away from Uisce Éireann’s headquarters and where there have been persistent issues with the role that Uisce Éireann was supposed to play in providing people with a quality water supply, including safe drinking water and proper wastewater treatment. One of those...
- Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community:
I welcome our guests. I remind people of their privileges and that they cannot participate if they are outside of Leinster House, etc. Those giving evidence have to be physically present within the grounds of Leinster House and should not criticise or make charges against any person, or identify him or her by name or in such a way that makes him or her identifiable. I think we all understand that.
I propose that we publish the opening statements from our witnesses. Is that agreed? Agreed. I suggest that we invite our witnesses to speak for five or ten minutes and that we allow members to ask questions and make comments for approximately five minutes. Members may ask more questions after everybody gets an opportunity to speak.
The committee is looking at Travellers' experience of the justice system. Today we will focus on Travellers in prison. The committee has already visited Castlerea Prison, Mountjoy Female Prison - the Dóchas Centre - and Oberstown Children Detention Campus. Travellers represent less than 1% of the population yet we make up 8% of male prisoners, 16% of female prisoners and 21% of children detained. The committee looks forward to hearing from our witnesses about this very important subject. We would like to hear about the experience of Travellers dealing with the justice system, including prison, and how we can make things better.
We are grateful to our witnesses for coming here today. They include representatives of the Irish Penal Reform Trust, the Traveller Justice Initiative, the Traveller Mediation Service and Barnardos.
Our witnesses are all very welcome here today.
It is very important for us as a committee to examine the justice system and, most importantly, why there are so many Travellers in prison in this country and what supports we need for Travellers. I am sure we all know the answers but it is important we document those answers and that this committee has a responsibility to work with the Traveller community.
We will begin with one quote a young man said to me in 2020. It was his first time to be in court and he was very nervous. I said to him he will be okay and that everything will be fine. He said, "No Eileen, I am already guilty." I said no, he would not be and that was up to the judge. He said, "I am guilty on the basis of being a member of the Traveller community." I want us all to be mindful of that before we start.
I will open it up to our witnesses. I ask Ms Saoirse Brady to begin.
(26 Sep 2024) James O'Connor: Is there an estimated timeline? We are definitely talking years, but will it take two, three, four or five years? In Whitegate, which I am sure Ms Attridge is well aware of, persistent issues lasted for more than a decade before Uisce Éireann got its backside into gear.
- Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community:
I welcome our guests. I remind people of their privileges and that they cannot participate if they are outside of Leinster House, etc. Those giving evidence have to be physically present within the grounds of Leinster House and should not criticise or make charges against any person, or identify him or her by name or in such a way that makes him or her identifiable. I think we all understand that.
I propose that we publish the opening statements from our witnesses. Is that agreed? Agreed. I suggest that we invite our witnesses to speak for five or ten minutes and that we allow members to ask questions and make comments for approximately five minutes. Members may ask more questions after everybody gets an opportunity to speak.
The committee is looking at Travellers' experience of the justice system. Today we will focus on Travellers in prison. The committee has already visited Castlerea Prison, Mountjoy Female Prison - the Dóchas Centre - and Oberstown Children Detention Campus. Travellers represent less than 1% of the population yet we make up 8% of male prisoners, 16% of female prisoners and 21% of children detained. The committee looks forward to hearing from our witnesses about this very important subject. We would like to hear about the experience of Travellers dealing with the justice system, including prison, and how we can make things better.
We are grateful to our witnesses for coming here today. They include representatives of the Irish Penal Reform Trust, the Traveller Justice Initiative, the Traveller Mediation Service and Barnardos.
Our witnesses are all very welcome here today.
It is very important for us as a committee to examine the justice system and, most importantly, why there are so many Travellers in prison in this country and what supports we need for Travellers. I am sure we all know the answers but it is important we document those answers and that this committee has a responsibility to work with the Traveller community.
We will begin with one quote a young man said to me in 2020. It was his first time to be in court and he was very nervous. I said to him he will be okay and that everything will be fine. He said, "No Eileen, I am already guilty." I said no, he would not be and that was up to the judge. He said, "I am guilty on the basis of being a member of the Traveller community." I want us all to be mindful of that before we start.
I will open it up to our witnesses. I ask Ms Saoirse Brady to begin.
(26 Sep 2024) James O'Connor: I cannot stress enough the importance of this. People in locations that have been referenced often feel they are ignored and forgotten. I thank Ms Attridge for taking the opportunity to listen but I need to see concrete progress being made. There are situations where there are long-term water outages. Whitegate is a good example, although the C and AG and the Chairman are probably...