Results 24,861-24,880 of 33,392 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Mar 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: The Deputy is asking me for many guarantees I cannot actually give. The reason is that the Bill is now moving into the Seanad. Obviously, the enactment to which the Deputy is referring is dependent on the Bill passing successfully through the Seanad. The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor, is very much aware of the importance of that Bill. I am...

Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Mar 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: I assure the Deputy that the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and his Department have already been on to my Department. They are already engaging with my Department on what they believe to be the future capital needs of our public and land transport network. I imagine the review to which the Deputy is referring will be affected by the industrial relations dispute that is currently...

Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Mar 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: I am not in a position to update the Deputy on the status of an individual post. I can say, however, that the Government, including the Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris, is very committed to trying to recruit more speech and language therapists. I do not want the development of our youngest children to be affected by an inability to gain access to speech and language therapy, in...

Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Mar 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: I am very much aware of the importance of lottery funding and the role it has played in supporting small projects and initiatives across our State. I will engage in the matter myself and seek to understand further the issue to which the Deputy is referring. I will revert to him on the matter.

Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Mar 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: The Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Seán Kyne, shall respond to this. He is leading the Government in this area.

Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Mar 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: The Government and Irish farmers are absolutely committed to high standards in food production, ensuring that consumers have confidence in food, as well as ensuring that people who seek to buy that food will have confidence in it, particularly if they are abroad. No trade agreements to which the Government is a party or which it might enter into will be allowed to undermine that confidence.

Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Mar 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: The rationale for the amalgamation is that the Government believes that there is expertise residing in both organisations that could be more effectively used to deal with issues, particularly with regard to consumer confidence, if both organisations are brought together. Regarding the timing, I understand that the Bill will be before the House during this session.

Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Mar 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: First, no proposal has been brought by the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Naughten, to Cabinet on changes to the television licence and how that revenue could be collected. We acknowledge how important the television licence is for the funding of our public service broadcaster. Clearly, were any changes to be made to the licence in the future, we would...

Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Mar 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: The matter raised by the Deputy does not refer to legislation or commitment within the programme for Government. That said, I will make a brief comment on it. Historically, many rural dwellers have used group water schemes or private schemes to access water. That is why I am of the view that it is critical in any future discussion on water charges that we recognise those who have been...

Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Mar 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: We all know how important the issue of rates is, particularly for the owners of small and medium-sized companies who need predictability regarding the bills they will be facing in the future. In recognition of that, I understand that the heads of that Bill will be presented in April.

Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Mar 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: My understanding is there will be statements on that matter this evening at 6 p.m. The Minister for Finance will be dealing with the matter. The Government has been very clear that issues of public concern relating to Project Eagle had to be dealt with and believed that the Committee of Public Accounts was the appropriate forum for that. It is not my role to speak for others in the House...

Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Mar 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: I am very much aware of the huge changes in technology that are bringing hope to many families. Clearly, alongside all of that there is a huge need for that area to be better regulated than it is at present. In direct answer to the Deputy, I understand that the heads of that Bill will be available to the Oireachtas in June.

Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Mar 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: The matter will be discussed tonight via a Private Member's motion tabled by Deputy Mattie McGrath and others. In answer to the Deputy's question, I understand that the heads of that Bill will be available at the end of April.

Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Mar 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: It is nice to hear the Deputy express the view that I am not responsible for the last Government; it is a view not often articulated by his party colleagues. In response to his question, I understand that the heads of that Bill will be drafted in quarter three of this year, after which the Bill will be available. I was in the Digital Hub at the end of last week and saw at first hand how...

Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Mar 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: Deputy Adams has called for a debate. I understand that the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, is before the Joint Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport today and will, I am sure, answer questions from all Deputies on the matter. Reference was made to investment in Bus Éireann. I stated earlier that it is because of the Government's recognition of the...

Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Mar 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: It is precisely in recognition of the independent nature of our courts and because of the fact that they are free from political influence in making their decisions that I am not going to comment on the individual case that has been raised.

Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Mar 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: Deputy Coppinger raised a question on proposed legislation. I understand the Bill in question is being drafted. It is a priority for drafting within the Office of the Attorney General and I understand the it will be presented during this session.

Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Mar 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: I have had no such discussions on the matter with the Minister.

Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Mar 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: The Government has no plans to withdraw that legislation. However, it does touch on an important issue raised by Deputy Healy-Rae. It is great to see the Deputy's brother back in action today after the nasty incident he experienced recently.

Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Mar 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: I am. I am keen to address the particular issue the Deputy has raised. It is important to be clear that the issue relating to the use of the breathalyser arises in respect of the number of the incidents recorded. However, the evidence produced by the use of those breathalysers in tests was still used to deal with dangerous driving on our roads to make our roads safer. I will answer the...