Results 2,721-2,740 of 3,337 for speaker:Patrick Costello

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Regulation and Funding Issues Facing Workers in the Early Years Sector: Discussion (5 Oct 2021)

Patrick Costello: I thank SIPTU for coming in today. I will be honest; the presentation has been quite comprehensive. SIPTU has been engaging with all of us on this issue for quite some time. I do not really have any questions. As Deputy Murnane O'Connor said, the fact that SIPTU has been engaging with us for quite some time and nothing has changed is reflective of the need for change. I will share my...

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Regulation and Funding Issues Facing Workers in the Early Years Sector: Discussion (5 Oct 2021)

Patrick Costello: I thank the witnesses for their attendance. It is very important that two different parts of the country are represented at this meeting and both are reporting very similar issues. No doubt, if we were to look wider, we would find many more young children throughout the country who are affected. The figure that was mentioned was 5,000, but behind that are all the families who will be...

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Adoptee Voices Report: Aitheantas (5 Oct 2021)

Patrick Costello: The witnesses may respond if they wish.

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Adoptee Voices Report: Aitheantas (5 Oct 2021)

Patrick Costello: Does Mr. O'Brien wish to comment briefly? I am conscious that I need to move on to some of the other members.

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Adoptee Voices Report: Aitheantas (5 Oct 2021)

Patrick Costello: I apologise for interrupting, but we are under time pressure and I must move on to some of the other Senators because they are due to speak in the Seanad. I call Senator McGreehan.

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Adoptee Voices Report: Aitheantas (5 Oct 2021)

Patrick Costello: Mr. O'Brien might respond very briefly. It would be good to get an answer but I am conscious that others are waiting to speak. I am too soft.

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Adoptee Voices Report: Aitheantas (5 Oct 2021)

Patrick Costello: I will move on to Senator Ruane. I apologise for rushing Mr. O'Brien. There is a queue of other people waiting to ask questions.

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Adoptee Voices Report: Aitheantas (5 Oct 2021)

Patrick Costello: I thank Mr. O’Brien and move on to Deputy Cairns.

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Adoptee Voices Report: Aitheantas (5 Oct 2021)

Patrick Costello: Did Mr. O'Brien want to reply to any of these questions?

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Adoptee Voices Report: Aitheantas (5 Oct 2021)

Patrick Costello: As Vice Chairman, I am in the unenviable position that most of the questions I was going to ask have already been asked. One question I would like to ask is in regard to engagement with the Minister, whether he has been supportive and what more we as a committee can do to support that. I will put that question out there. I will then come round to other members. If they have further...

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Adoptee Voices Report: Aitheantas (5 Oct 2021)

Patrick Costello: I thank Ms Ryan-O'Brien. I will draw the session to a close. I propose that we publish all opening statements to the Oireachtas website. Is that agreed? Agreed. I thank the witnesses for appearing before the committee today. We look forward to ongoing engagement on all of the issues raised in the survey and by the witnesses today. There is much work to be done in this area and we look...

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth: Adoptee Voices Report: Aitheantas (5 Oct 2021)

Patrick Costello: Thank you. I will move on to Deputy Murnane O'Connor.

Climate Action: Statements (30 Sep 2021)

Patrick Costello: It is good to discuss in the Chamber the climate action plan. We are also discussing other matters, those being the recent UN meeting and the national development plan, NDP. The national climate plan and the NDP are inextricably linked and our climate action depends on them working in harmony. Our ability to face down climate change depends on all of our plans and organs of government...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (30 Sep 2021)

Patrick Costello: 35. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on adding a human rights observation mandate to MINURSO when it is renewed in October 2021. [42383/21]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (30 Sep 2021)

Patrick Costello: 47. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the implementation of the Independent Commission on Information Retrieval contained in the Stormont House Agreement which requires legislation to be passed through Dáil Éireann in the context of the current discussions in relation to legacy issues regarding the Troubles prompted by British proposals of a general...

Afghanistan Crisis: Statements (29 Sep 2021)

Patrick Costello: The reply I received stated that the decision was taken in light of the resources needed for the several missions being run in the area. The House recently passed legislation relating to being able to clarify the chain of command in the context of multinational operations. That is very useful legislation but it is only needed now, rather than also in times gone by, because we are not able...

Afghanistan Crisis: Statements (29 Sep 2021)

Patrick Costello: I am sharing time with Deputy Haughey. Like many colleagues, I want to express my concern around the situation in Afghanistan. In some ways, it is hard to find the words to express that concern. It is a very serious, multifaceted and multilayered issue and there is an immediate urgency to it, but it also speaks to wider problems we face here and as part of a global community. On the...

Housing for All: Statements (Resumed) (29 Sep 2021)

Patrick Costello: I believe I am sharing some of that time. I certainly have not prepared to contribute for 20 minutes, and I hear incredulity from behind me at my having 20 minutes, so I assume I am sharing time with Deputies Jim O'Callaghan and Durkan.

Housing for All: Statements (Resumed) (29 Sep 2021)

Patrick Costello: I did not think I would be sharing that much. I had better get moving. I will be as quick as I am forced to be. I welcome the Housing for All plan. I think one of the key issues regarding the housing crisis facing renters and people looking to buy is affordability and people being unable to find suitable homes. We are talking about a home, not just a house or a place to stay. To build...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (28 Sep 2021)

Patrick Costello: 243. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will re-examine licensing laws surrounding mopeds recognising the excessive qualification criteria for use in Ireland which are out of step with the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46055/21]