Results 2,581-2,600 of 4,773 for speaker:Paudie Coffey

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 31 - Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (23 Jan 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I commend the Minister and his Department for The Gathering which proved hugely successful in generating additional tourism revenue and footfall into the country last year. Deputy Dooley asks quite rightly how we can continue that momentum. My area of concern is how we continue to grow our UK numbers. Our neighbours in the UK have traditionally been very strong visitors to this country....

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 31 - Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (23 Jan 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I welcome the fact that the sports capital programme is running for a second year. It is a valuable stimulus for local communities across the country.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes Payments (23 Jan 2014)

Paudie Coffey: 194. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a single farm payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3224/14]

Charities (Amendment) Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) [Private Members] (22 Jan 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I call Deputy Adams who I understand is sharing time with Deputies Crowe, Pearse Doherty and Ellis. Is that agreed? Agreed.

ESB (Electronic Communications Networks) Bill 2013: Second Stage (22 Jan 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I welcome and support the Bill. Before I speak to the Bill, I should put it in the context of the legacy of the telecommunications that we have been left with in this country. One of the biggest mistakes was the selling of the Eircom infrastructure which, I suppose, became a considerable barrier to the development of quality broadband in this country. For that reason, we have been playing...

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: From the Seanad (Resumed) (22 Jan 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I also welcome this amendment, which is something on which I have been working for some time. Representatives of new businesses came to my office to raise concerns about how they had moved into premises and were being held liable for the rates that had built up on them. This was becoming a barrier to new businesses regenerating themselves in towns and villages. Subsequently, as the...

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: From the Seanad (Resumed) (22 Jan 2014)

Paudie Coffey: Many of my questions have been answered. I welcome the amendment which was discussed at length on Committee Stage when concern was expressed by Members across the board about the original proposals. Some local authorities were happy to retain the 50% refund which had been in place for many years. The Minister referred to Dublin, Limerick and Cork in that regard. They might have become...

Local Government Reform Bill 2013: From the Seanad (22 Jan 2014)

Paudie Coffey: This is a matter which I raised with the Minister previously on Committee Stage. I also raised it with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. There is much concern on the ground among business people whose rateable valuations are currently being reviewed. This is happening in Waterford at present. I agree with those of my colleagues who have argued that the current system does...

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 29 - Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Revised) (21 Jan 2014)

Paudie Coffey: The Minister need not do so now, but he might update us on a pilot project for smart metering in homes that was announced a number of years ago. Where does it stand or is there a plan to expand upon it? If he does not have an answer now, I would appreciate it if he could write to me.

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 29 - Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Revised) (21 Jan 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I thank the Chairman for the opportunity to engage with the Minister. I welcome the investment in broadband provision in schools. It is important that the facility is available. There is no doubt that the challenge for the education system is to avail of this investment by using this infrastructure and maximising its potential. It cannot be said that the facility has not been provided. I...

Irish Water: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (16 Jan 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate. I believe that the debate in recent days, despite the controversy involved, has been helpful to a degree in informing the public and raising awareness about the Irish utility, Uisce Éireann, otherwise known as Irish Water. I attended the environment committee meeting at which, I believe, the executives from Irish Water put on the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Expenditure Issues: Irish Water - Uisce Éireann (14 Jan 2014)

Paudie Coffey: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Expenditure Issues: Irish Water - Uisce Éireann (14 Jan 2014)

Paudie Coffey: On the asset management system, there may have been a reasonable expectation by the public or others that the existing Bord Gáis asset management system might have been utilised, tweaked or whatever for Irish Water but it is clear from what Mr. Barry is saying that is not possible as they are two entirely different systems, entirely different networks, and a whole stand-alone system was...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Expenditure Issues: Irish Water - Uisce Éireann (14 Jan 2014)

Paudie Coffey: I thank the executives for coming before the committee. This has been a very welcome public debate on the transparency and clarity that is required for these issues. We are establishing a new national utility, which I would equate to the establishment of the ESB or even Bord Gáis. I think we all need to keep that in mind. It is important that we acknowledge the practical expertise of...

Leaders' Questions (18 Dec 2013)

Paudie Coffey: We would do nothing at all if we were to listen to the Opposition.

Leaders' Questions (18 Dec 2013)

Paudie Coffey: Peter’s exit.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (12 Dec 2013)

Paudie Coffey: 69. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the grants that are available for students attending colleges of further education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53462/13]

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rationale for Sanctioning Energy Price Increases: Discussion with Commission for Energy Regulation (11 Dec 2013)

Paudie Coffey: I thank the witnesses for coming before the committee and for their presentation. Where more competition exists with suppliers, does it follow that unit prices are lower? There is much debate about wind generation, alternative renewable energy and so on. We also hear that we are importing nuclear energy from the UK. Perhaps the witnesses can clarify if that is the case.

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rationale for Sanctioning Energy Price Increases: Discussion with Commission for Energy Regulation (11 Dec 2013)

Paudie Coffey: If there is any detail on the cost of electricity that is generated by wind energy, versus traditional oil generation and-or possible imported nuclear energy, can Mr. Nolan explain who the CER arrives at a price taking all of that into account? In arriving at the unit price, does the CER consider the wider competitiveness of the economy and the social affordability when setting prices? One...

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rationale for Sanctioning Energy Price Increases: Discussion with Commission for Energy Regulation (11 Dec 2013)

Paudie Coffey: I thank Mr. Nolan for his response. It is helpful and it is an important element of information to contribute to the wider debate on energy security and the cost of electricity. CER has a very important role to play in that.