Results 2,881-2,900 of 2,967 for speaker:James O'Connor

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Brexit Preparations (10 Nov 2020)

James O'Connor: 70. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment his plans to support the food processing industry post-Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35056/20]

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: LEADER Programmes (5 Nov 2020)

James O'Connor: 23. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding being provided for the LEADER programme in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34168/20]

Finance Bill 2020: Second Stage (4 Nov 2020)

James O'Connor: I appreciate the opportunity to speak on the Finance Bill 2020. As we all know, it is a very difficult time for businesses across the country. The measures in the Bill are intended to go some way to reinforcing the Government's support for the economy against the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and the continuing possibility of a no-deal Brexit, which is a very serious risk for the Cork...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (4 Nov 2020)

James O'Connor: I thank the Minister for his presentation to the committee. The first issue I wish to discuss is Cork Airport. Obviously Covid-19 has had a very negative impact on the whole Cork region, with very few passengers coming in through the airport. In that context, there is an opportunity cost for the Department in not investing in capital infrastructure in Cork Airport, particularly in the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (4 Nov 2020)

James O'Connor: Yes. I apologise for interrupting but my time is limited. Everything the Minister has said is correct. It is quite clear that we have a chance to secure the future of the airport, increase its worth to the local economy and replace the jobs that have been lost. The Minister must take rapid action in that regard. My final point is that we need to see more being done at a European level...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (4 Nov 2020)

James O'Connor: My very last point-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (4 Nov 2020)

James O'Connor: I appreciate that. Antigen testing needs to be investigated at a European level. Ireland cannot conduct the research on its own. The Minister has an opportunity to raise this matter at EU level and he should do so. The issue here is the research. I believe the Minister should. The research is the issue here. It is not necessarily whether it is wise for NPHET to be arguing for or against...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (4 Nov 2020)

James O'Connor: I want to put more eloquently the point I made earlier and was caught for time. Dr. Holohan told the committee yesterday that we will be implementing restrictions and lifting them for the foreseeable future until an effective vaccination is found. That vaccination might not necessarily be implemented successfully with the vast majority of the population here until the end of 2021, which is...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Services (3 Nov 2020)

James O'Connor: 129. To ask the Minister for Health the funding being provided for the restoration of cancer services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33568/20]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Nov 2020)

James O'Connor: I thank Dr. Holohan and Dr. De Gascun for all the work they are doing. They have an incredibly difficult task. No elected representative envies the decisions they have made and what is ahead of them and yet to come. My first question is for both doctors. It is very relevant to all sectors in transport, particularly aviation, and to people's lives as well. How long do the NPHET...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Nov 2020)

James O'Connor: I understand that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Nov 2020)

James O'Connor: I accept that. I apologise for interrupting as my time is limited and I have a few more questions.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Nov 2020)

James O'Connor: We fully accept that. The vast majority of reasonable people will do so. We are now at a much more advanced stage regarding the virus. We have been living with it for almost a year and a number of vaccination trials internationally have been making great progress. From the witnesses' understanding, could they indicate when a vaccine might be available to the public? How is the testing...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Nov 2020)

James O'Connor: I thank Dr. De Gascun for that. On foot of that, he will accept that with regard to adapting to living with the virus, it is important that we continue to investigate actively the possibly of rapid-testing infrastructure and advancing technologies in that area. I accept that there are still underlying concerns about antigen testing and the lack of a comprehensive study on it. Have the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Nov 2020)

James O'Connor: In the limited time left to me I ask the Chair to indulge me with one more question. I know that our witnesses were asked about the infrastructure at airports. The whole area of working with elected representatives and Ministers on this issue is quite important. From my engagement with very senior members of the Government there is a degree of hesitation on their part until public health...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Oct 2020)

James O'Connor: I offer sincere congratulations to Mr. Seán Doyle on his appointment as head of British Airways. He is working with Aer Lingus's parent group AIG at the moment and is a very proud son of Youghal. I wish the new acting CEO the best of luck. Mr. Wilson is probably aware that I gave a significant presentation at Cork Airport when he visited us about my concerns. A reference we have...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Oct 2020)

James O'Connor: I apologise for interrupting Mr. Moriarty but is any engagement ongoing between the European Commission and representatives from the US and Canada, to his knowledge?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Oct 2020)

James O'Connor: The Chairman has put a lot of work into trying to get a representative from NPHET to come before the committee and I understand the CMO may appear before us very soon. As the two key airlines in the State, it is important I ask the representatives what message would they like this committee to convey to the CMO when he appears before us. Perhaps Mr. Wilson might like to answer that one first.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Oct 2020)

James O'Connor: I thank Mr. Wilson. In the minute that is remaining to me, will the representatives from Aer Lingus comment on the same issue?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Oct 2020)

James O'Connor: I will speak first about the Covid infrastructure we may require in our airports if we are to facilitate rapid testing. This is a significant issue which was outlined to us by Mr. Philips. What is the issue around that? Will Mr. Philips expand on the issue that means they are not able to avail of a fast-tracked planning process for Covid infrastructure at airports?