Results 261-280 of 3,040 for speaker:Colm Brophy

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Road Projects (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: Again, I reassure the Senator that the appropriate standards and timeframes for opening up are in place. I fully take on board the Senator’s comments and will also pass on to the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, her remarks on the experience so many people have when they are looking at what they believe to be incomplete reinstatements after roadworks.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Rail Network (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I thank the Senator. I am replying to him on behalf of the Minister of State with responsibility for international road transport, logistics, rail and ports, Deputy Canney. The Senator has done a lot of work on this issue, which he has raised on a number of occasions. As I have no doubt he is aware, the final report of the all-island strategic rail review, which was undertaken by the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Rail Network (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I have no doubt the Senator will do that as he has made the case very well today. I will report that back to the Minister. We have made good progress on several projects across the rail network in recent years, including in the west. These include upgrades at Ceannt Station in Galway city, which are under way and scheduled to be completed next year. In addition, a new platform and...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Control of Firearms (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: The Minister would like to thank the Senator for raising this important matter. As she mentioned in her contribution, the responsibility for firearms policy and legislation rests with the Department of Justice. As issues arise or changes in EU legislation occur, the Minister and departmental officials engage with individual firearms representative organisations and other stakeholders as...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Control of Firearms (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: While the licensing of firearms holders is not carried out by the Department of Justice, the Minister recognises and acknowledges the dedication and responsibility of firearm owners and also their contribution to conservation in rural communities.The Minister and the Department are committed to engaging with relevant stakeholders on any potential policy or legislative changes in these areas....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Insurance Industry (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I convey the apologies of my colleague, the Minister, Jim O'Callaghan, who regrets that he cannot be here because he unfortunately has another commitment at this time. He has asked me to reply to Senator Nelson Murray and to thank her for raising this important issue, which I know is very important to her.The Senator has been one of the strongest advocates on this matter. I appreciate her...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Insurance Industry (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I will convey, as I know she will directly convey, the Senator's views and what she has said to the Minister. I listened closely to the points she raised. I am aware of the view expressed by some stakeholders that the proposed increase will have the effect of increasing premiums. I fully take on board the issues and considerations the Senator has raised. They are very important. However,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: EU Budgets (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I thank the Senator and again apologise that the Minister is not available to reply to him directly. I will reply on his behalf. The European Union budget, the MFF, as the Senator knows, currently runs until 2027. The current MFF was agreed in 2020 at the height of the Covid pandemic, which left a very clear mark on that framework.Most notably, alongside the MFF, the Next Generation EU...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: EU Budgets (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I will, of course, convey the Senator’s views to the Minister. I will take a moment to acknowledge the European Movement Ireland survey. It is a very interesting survey. As a Chair of the Committee on European Union Affairs for two and a half years, I found European Movement Ireland to be an organisation that does incredibly good work in terms of promoting engagement and civic...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Childcare Services (3 Apr 2025)

Colm Brophy: Early learning and childcare is an area that has seen rapid and significant developments and has had a substantial increase in investment in recent years. In particular, we have made good progress in affordability for parents, pay for staff and the inclusion of children with disabilities. However, we need to go further in the coming years. We need to support parents and educators and make...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Provision (3 Apr 2025)

Colm Brophy: The Government approved new housing targets up to 2030. Some 303,000 homes are expected to be delivered from 2025 to 2030. This equates to an average of approximately 50,500 homes, building up to 60,000 homes in 2030. To meet these very ambitious targets, it is necessary to use many different ways of delivery. Modern methods of construction are a key pillar in this housing delivery...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Childcare Services (3 Apr 2025)

Colm Brophy: I thank Deputy Gannon for raising this important issue and offering me the opportunity to respond on behalf of the Minister. Improving access to quality and affordable early learning and care and school-age childcare is a key priority for the Government. Early learning and childcare capacity is increasing. An annual sector profile demonstrates an 8% increase in enrolments between the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Early Childhood Care and Education (3 Apr 2025)

Colm Brophy: I thank the Deputy again for raising the question. I will of course convey back to the Minister the additional points he raised here. I thank him for giving me the opportunity to reassure the House that the Department of Education and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that all children have access to education suitable to their needs. The Department of Education continues to engage...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Provision (3 Apr 2025)

Colm Brophy: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and providing the opportunity to update the House on this important matter. Modern methods of construction are a key measure to support the delivery of housing under Housing for All and the programme for Government and have the potential to boost productivity, increase efficiency and improve sustainability in the construction sector. Modern...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Public Transport (3 Apr 2025)

Colm Brophy: I will of course convey the Deputy's views to the Minister. In summary, transport connectivity is obviously highly important for people who live and work, as we know, throughout Ireland. It is key to our villages, towns, and to Dublin and our other cities to encourage urban centres and have strong local economies. I believe, as does the Minister, in expanding the public transport network...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Early Childhood Care and Education (3 Apr 2025)

Colm Brophy: I thank the Deputy for asking the question. I stress that enabling students with special educational needs to receive an appropriate education is an absolute priority for the Government. It is the Government's priority to ensure that all children have an appropriate school placement and that necessary supports are provided to our schools to allow children with special educational needs to...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Local Community Safety Partnerships (3 Apr 2025)

Colm Brophy: I agree with the Deputy that it is really important to get them up and running quickly, to get community buy-in and to get that feeling that we are moving forward in this area. I think we are. The implementation of the Act will have a tremendous effect. The resourcing of it is there and I have no doubt, from my own community where I have dealt with a host of issues in this area, that there...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Public Transport (3 Apr 2025)

Colm Brophy: I would not be quite as nice to Meath people at a Leinster final or on an All-Ireland Sunday, as the Deputy was there. I thank her for raising this issue, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Transport. Improving public transport services and infrastructure is central to improving citizens' quality of life and achieving our decarbonisation goals. Achieving these goals has been...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Educational Disadvantage (3 Apr 2025)

Colm Brophy: I fully hear what the Deputy is saying. He is making an important point on that funding issue. I am more than happy to take that back to the Minister. The Deputy mentioned our constituency, which has a similar situation with regard to school funding. It is important. Obviously, the FSSU plays an important role. It is an issue I will highlight to the Minister and I have no doubt the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Local Community Safety Partnerships (3 Apr 2025)

Colm Brophy: I am well aware of the incredible work the Deputy does with local communities on this issue and how she has championed it. On behalf of the Minister, Deputy O’Callaghan, I thank the Deputy for raising this matter today. The Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and community safety as a whole-of-government responsibility. Community safety is about much...