Results 24,881-24,900 of 33,392 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Mar 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: My first comment is on the general matter of the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Finian McGrath, is working hard on that project to ensure it is realised. His work represents the acknowledgment we want to put in place in respect of the rights of those who need services and support. The...

Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Mar 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: I understand that the legislation to which that question relates is Private Members' legislation drafted by Deputy Gino Kenny.

Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Mar 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: I will respond with the information that I have to hand and then I will deal then with the second point. The committee hearings on the matter are due to take place in April. It will provide an opportunity for the Oireachtas to engage on this matter. I cannot give a time for the particular legislation from the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, but I will contact his Department and get the...

Leaders' Questions (29 Mar 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: What I do agree with the Deputy on is that we need more competition in Irish banking. The Government is very clear that we want to see very healthy competition between Irish and international banks within our jurisdiction to ensure that credit is offered at competitive prices to businesses, farmers and to small and large companies that need it. What I disagree strongly with the Deputy on is...

Leaders' Questions (29 Mar 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: I never said in my response to the Deputy that I was not aware of any difficulties. Of course I am aware of the difficulties and problems that our citizens and companies face. I was very clear, however, in outlining what I believe to be the best approach to it, which the Government is in the process of implementing. That involves proper competition within our banking market to ensure that...

Leaders' Questions (29 Mar 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: We have done that and it is under way. We will not be undermining the role of the Central Bank. The Central Bank is an independent organisation-----

Leaders' Questions (29 Mar 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: -----that is at the heart of being able to regulate our banking sector.

Leaders' Questions (29 Mar 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: We have all seen, to our great cost, what happens when that regulation is not in place and not implemented. The Government remains fully committed to putting in place measures to regain as much as possible of all of the investment that was put in place to support our pillar banks.

Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Mar 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: The Policing Authority and the Department of Justice and Equality should have been aware of the conclusions of the final audit that yielded the discrepancy that is now the cause of such public disquiet. It is important to acknowledge that these matters are now in the public arena. It is right that this is the case. What is even more important now is that we have the right set of actions to...

Leaders' Questions (29 Mar 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: I am not going to comment on an individual set of circumstances that the Deputy has raised. It would not be appropriate for me to do so, particularly as I am becoming aware of them for the first time. Of course, that is the very reason we have organisations like the Policing Authority and Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC, in place, namely, so they can handle and...

Leaders' Questions (29 Mar 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: The Deputy in his initial question raised a set of circumstances to me that I responded to as not being aware of them. What I am very clear on, and the Government is clear on, is that our overwhelming prerogative is the integrity and reputation of An Garda Síochána. It is part of the glue that holds any society together - the respect for and independence of a police force. That...

Leaders' Questions (29 Mar 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: I hope that, at some point in Deputy Martin's analysis, he will point to the fact that I was the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport who began the process of increasing investment in the CIE group after many years of that not being possible.

Leaders' Questions (29 Mar 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: I was the Minister who played a role in the bus fleet being renewed for Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus.

Leaders' Questions (29 Mar 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: The reason all of that happened is precisely because of the recognition that I and the then Government had in respect of the role of Bus Éireann and the CIE group.

Leaders' Questions (29 Mar 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: That was the case then and it is the case now. In all of the other issues to which Deputy Martin referred in respect of industrial relations difficulties, I, as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and my predecessor were determined to make sure we could have as efficient a public transport service as possible and a CIE group that is sustainable. That was the action the Government took...

Leaders' Questions (29 Mar 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: As I have said, the very industrial relations mechanisms that played a role in resolving those issues must be allowed to do their work now.

Leaders' Questions (29 Mar 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank the Deputy. It is important to reflect on what a profoundly significant moment today is. In this Chamber in 1972, when the Dáil and the Government made the decision to hold a referendum to enter what was then the EEC, the then Taoiseach, Jack Lynch, said the following: "I am confident that the decision we take will reflect our people's faith in their capacity to help fashion...

Leaders' Questions (29 Mar 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: It is welcome to hear Deputy Adams now talk positively about a construct and a political union which he has spent so long criticising.

Leaders' Questions (29 Mar 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: It is precisely because of the engagement of the Taoiseach, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and other Cabinet Ministers, that the unique needs in respect of Northern Ireland and the Border are being recognised by the European Union. We have been at the fore of emphasising this point to leaders within the European Union and, obviously, to the British Government. That has been...

Leaders' Questions (29 Mar 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: Deputy Martin is absolutely correct that previous cases of transport disputes such as those at Dublin Bus and Irish Rail have been resolved. They were resolved in the Workplace Relations Commission, WRC, and in the Labour Court. It was Government policy to support part of our State that had a proven track record of dealing with industrial relations issues. That approach was used in...