Results 2,501-2,520 of 4,399 for speaker:Martin Browne

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on a Ban on Herbicides in Public Areas: Discussion (Resumed) (26 May 2022)

Martin Browne: Yes.

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on a Ban on Herbicides in Public Areas: Discussion (Resumed) (26 May 2022)

Martin Browne: Do the witnesses envision the Department directing local authorities to move away from using pesticides and towards more environmentally-friendly solutions? We all know the amount of work that Tidy Towns groups around the country do. Is the Department encouraging local authorities to get in touch with them regularly? They may not be using pesticides, but they are doing some work for councils.

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on a Ban on Herbicides in Public Areas: Discussion (Resumed) (26 May 2022)

Martin Browne: Local authorities will decide whether they use-----

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on a Ban on Herbicides in Public Areas: Discussion (Resumed) (26 May 2022)

Martin Browne: I am aware.

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on a Ban on Herbicides in Public Areas: Discussion (Resumed) (26 May 2022)

Martin Browne: Does Senator Buttimer have further questions?

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on a Ban on Herbicides in Public Areas: Discussion (Resumed) (26 May 2022)

Martin Browne: When the local authorities lay down that pesticides would be used in public areas, they record a risk assessment and these assessments and records are retained for inspection by the Department. Will Mr. Callanan tell us what proportion of local authorities’ records are checked and how much time typically goes by between spraying and when the records are inspected? Does the Department...

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on a Ban on Herbicides in Public Areas: Discussion (Resumed) (26 May 2022)

Martin Browne: Yes. Is the Department not concerned about the wide use of spraying of pesticides? It is taking place widely and some local authorities have told the committee they do it because of the lack of alternatives. Is it not something on which the Department should be taking a lead and recommending they move away from pesticides? If someone does not take a lead on this, nothing is going to...

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on a Ban on Herbicides in Public Areas: Discussion (Resumed) (26 May 2022)

Martin Browne: I was referring to Foamstream and different alternatives. There was a man at the committee two weeks ago who gave a couple of different alternatives to what the councils are using. Is it something on which the Department should be taking a lead?

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on a Ban on Herbicides in Public Areas: Discussion (Resumed) (26 May 2022)

Martin Browne: Mr. Callanan is telling us about crops, mainly. Our main worries, and the worries that have been raised with the committee, are that local authorities are spraying footpaths to get rid of weeds, as Deputy Buckley said when he spoke about parks and playgrounds, and that people are using those areas and bringing those agents back into their houses, which is dangerous. Local authorities should...

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on a Ban on Herbicides in Public Areas: Discussion (Resumed) (26 May 2022)

Martin Browne: Will the witnesses explain a little more the proposals coming down the line from Europe in respect of the new sustainable use regulation to replace the sustainable use directive? What changes do the witnesses anticipate from that?

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on a Ban on Herbicides in Public Areas: Discussion (Resumed) (26 May 2022)

Martin Browne: Finally, are the witnesses happy with the Department's Straight A's for Amenity booklet on the responsible use of pesticides in public amenity areas or do they feel it needs to be updated? Is it in line with legislation and the recommendations from Europe?

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on a Ban on Herbicides in Public Areas: Discussion (Resumed) (26 May 2022)

Martin Browne: I do not see any other members indicating. Do the witnesses have any final statements they want to make?

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on a Ban on Herbicides in Public Areas: Discussion (Resumed) (26 May 2022)

Martin Browne: I again thank the witnesses. We had a very good meeting two weeks ago when this topic was raised. We appreciate the witnesses coming in to fill us in a bit more. I imagine we will be in contact again down the road. I know from speaking to members that these meetings have been beneficial to them. I thank Mr. Callanan, Ms Dillon and Mr. Moody for coming in today. We will release them early.

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on a Ban on Herbicides in Public Areas: Discussion (Resumed) (26 May 2022)

Martin Browne: No homework.

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on a Ban on Herbicides in Public Areas: Discussion (Resumed) (26 May 2022)

Martin Browne: We will pause for a few minutes while the witnesses leave the room.

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (26 May 2022)

Martin Browne: We have three petitions for consideration today. The first, No. 4/22, relates to revising employment conditions for stamp 3 residence permit holders and is in the name of Ms Tracey Milledge. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment responded to the petition in February. This response was forwarded to the petitioner, who in turn replied. Her reply was forwarded to the Department,...

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (26 May 2022)

Martin Browne: That is agreed. The second petition, No. 14/22, proposes to raise the Defence Forces’ upper age limit and is under the name of Mr. Stephen Martin. The petitioner considers that current upper age limits for joining the Defence Forces are very restrictive and, as a result, there is a risk the Defence Forces are missing out on suitable candidates who are keen to join but are currently...

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (26 May 2022)

Martin Browne: I echo Deputy Buckley's point. None of us is in any doubt that there are people in that age group who could take up a position in the Defence Forces, although maybe not on the front line. There are positions whereby we could increase the staffing level of the Defence Forces. Do other members wish to comment? No. The next petition is No. 25/22, from Mr. Patrick Lynn, who calls for chefs to...

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (26 May 2022)

Martin Browne: I am sure that the Senator will get widespread agreement on inviting in Mr. Lynn to present his petition to the committee. I do not believe anyone will object. We all appreciate that, countrywide, the industry is starting to creak and cannot be left to continue without some intervention.

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (26 May 2022)

Martin Browne: Is that agreed? Agreed. I echo the comments about the secretariat. The secretariat do an unbelievable amount of work on our behalf and it is work the public does not get to see. As Chairman, I thank the secretariat for all the work they do on our behalf to get petitions in front of the committee.