Results 2,781-2,800 of 5,294 for speaker:Michael McCarthy

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Comprehensive Action Programme for the Reform of Local Government: Discussion (23 Oct 2012)

Michael McCarthy: There were a significant number of questions. The delegation might answer Deputy Flanagan's questions first, of which there were five. They related to European models of local government, how the system could enhance the role of the representative in holding management to account and salary levels for managers. Another question asked was why elected people were less trustworthy, and I...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Comprehensive Action Programme for the Reform of Local Government: Discussion (23 Oct 2012)

Michael McCarthy: Will the Senator, please, allow the delegates to reply without interruption?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Comprehensive Action Programme for the Reform of Local Government: Discussion (23 Oct 2012)

Michael McCarthy: There are two more spokespersons to whom we will go after this reply.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Comprehensive Action Programme for the Reform of Local Government: Discussion (23 Oct 2012)

Michael McCarthy: May I ask two questions in that regard? They are cosmetic or aesthetic at least. What will become of the premises that will be vacated in those areas in which town councils will depart? Second, what will become of the staff? Will they transfer to the county council or be offered voluntary redundancies? I note that in the area I represent, five buildings will be vacated as a result of the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Comprehensive Action Programme for the Reform of Local Government: Discussion (23 Oct 2012)

Michael McCarthy: Deputy Murphy should ask a couple of questions and the witnesses can then answer them.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Comprehensive Action Programme for the Reform of Local Government: Discussion (23 Oct 2012)

Michael McCarthy: I welcome Mr. O'Reilly to the meeting. I will call the five spokespersons for each of the groups in the order in which I should call them. I urge members to ask questions because if we give an opinion and then ask the witnesses if they agree with it, that is not asking a question. Given the interest the committee has in this issue, this can be a very good, productive and robust exchange....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Comprehensive Action Programme for the Reform of Local Government: Discussion (23 Oct 2012)

Michael McCarthy: I will take the questions from each of the spokespersons first and then take a group of questions from the other members.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Comprehensive Action Programme for the Reform of Local Government: Discussion (23 Oct 2012)

Michael McCarthy: We will now discuss the comprehensive action programme for the reform of local government, Putting People First, with representatives from the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. I welcome Mr. Des Dowling, assistant secretary, local government division, Mr. Denis Conlan, principal officer, local government development section, Mr. Dónal Enright, principal...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Interim Report on National Climate Change Policy: Discussion with NESC (23 Oct 2012)

Michael McCarthy: The proposal.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Interim Report on National Climate Change Policy: Discussion with NESC (23 Oct 2012)

Michael McCarthy: The Deputy can pursue that in private session. I thank the delegation for its involvement and interaction with the committee.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Interim Report on National Climate Change Policy: Discussion with NESC (23 Oct 2012)

Michael McCarthy: Okay. That is fair enough.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Interim Report on National Climate Change Policy: Discussion with NESC (23 Oct 2012)

Michael McCarthy: This matter might be more germane to the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications. The Deputy should ask about climate change.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Interim Report on National Climate Change Policy: Discussion with NESC (23 Oct 2012)

Michael McCarthy: I am not saying it is not important. I am saying it might be more germane to another forum. The Deputy should confine his questions to the issue of climate change.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Interim Report on National Climate Change Policy: Discussion with NESC (23 Oct 2012)

Michael McCarthy: I thank Dr. O'Donnell. The next speaker is Deputy McLellan followed by Deputy Coffey.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Interim Report on National Climate Change Policy: Discussion with NESC (23 Oct 2012)

Michael McCarthy: On the point made by Deputy Coffey in relation to public buildings, the committee has received correspondence from Friends of the Earth and other interested parties on that issue. A scheme has been introduced in Denmark which commits to the upgrading, by way of insulation and so on, every year of 3% of state buildings. Is Ireland taking this route in terms of energy saving schemes for State...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Interim Report on National Climate Change Policy: Discussion with NESC (23 Oct 2012)

Michael McCarthy: I thank Dr. O'Donnell for his presentation. Some countries, for example Denmark, have made significant moves towards the widespread use of electric cars. I need not tell our guests of the well-established benefits of this, but how near is Ireland to the widespread use or embracing of electric cars? Some companies are more proactive than others and the ESB has tried to encourage knowledge,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Interim Report on National Climate Change Policy: Discussion with NESC (23 Oct 2012)

Michael McCarthy: I thank Dr. O'Connell. Before I open the discussion to members, I remind everyone that another delegation is waiting outside and I urge members to ask questions and be succinct. If they make Second Stage speeches, we will be here all afternoon and we will not glean the information desired.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Interim Report on National Climate Change Policy: Discussion with NESC (23 Oct 2012)

Michael McCarthy: The Deputy has asked a number of questions.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Interim Report on National Climate Change Policy: Discussion with NESC (23 Oct 2012)

Michael McCarthy: The topic for discussion is Towards a New National Climate Change Policy: interim report of the National Economic and Social Council, NESC, with representatives of NESC. Is that agreed? Agreed. I welcome Dr. Rory O'Donnell, director, Dr. Larry O'Connell, senior economist, and Mr. Noel Cahill, economist, and thank them for their attendance at the committee this afternoon. I draw their...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Driving Licences (23 Oct 2012)

Michael McCarthy: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the situation whereby a person holding an Australian licence with approved truck and bus categories can drive legally here but there is no similar cover for Irish licence holders in Australia; if his further attention has been drawn to the inconvenience it is causing to Irish citizens in...