Results 2,901-2,920 of 3,588 for speaker:Martin Heydon

Topical Issue Debate: Green Paper on Energy Submissions (6 Nov 2014)

Martin Heydon: In 2006, as the Minister is well aware, EirGrid was formed. It forecast at that time that there would be an increase in energy demand in Ireland up to 2024 of 60%. When the former Minister, Eamonn Ryan, launched EirGrid's Grid 25 project in 2008 the forecast was reduced to 45%, but still suggested a 45% rise in demand for energy prices up to 2024. This year in its submission to the Green...

Topical Issue Debate: Green Paper on Energy Submissions (6 Nov 2014)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Minister for his comprehensive reply. If we have a White Paper in early 2015 that says demand is not what was estimated and we cannot have a lag on electricity costs by building infrastructure which is not needed, the mechanisms have to be in place for EirGrid to halt its plans for Grid Link and Grid West. That seems to be the ESB's current position. In regard to wind energy,...

Finance Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2014)

Martin Heydon: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Finance Bill. To respond to Deputy Róisín Shortall's point on the fairness or otherwise of the budget, the measures provided for in the Bill further improve the progressiveness of the income tax and universal social charge systems.

Finance Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2014)

Martin Heydon: As a result of these measures, the top 1% of earners will pay 21% of income tax and the universal social charge, while the bottom 76% of earners will pay only 20% of income tax and the universal social charge. That is progressive and fair.

Finance Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2014)

Martin Heydon: I propose to focus on the agriculture measures in the budget, many of which were positive. As the chairman of the Fine Gael Party's internal agriculture committee, I commend the Minister and his officials, working with officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, on producing some highly progressive changes that will be of great assistance in the areas of land mobility...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Illness Benefit Appeals (4 Nov 2014)

Martin Heydon: 171. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a decision in respect of an appeal for illness benefit in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41175/14]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Closed Circuit Television Systems (4 Nov 2014)

Martin Heydon: 545. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the funding available for communities wishing to install CCTV systems in local towns and villages; if this funding will be applied towards mobile CCTV units; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42038/14]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Health and Safety (23 Oct 2014)

Martin Heydon: 169. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will review a proposal (details supplied) for teacher training to help raise awareness among teachers of specific illnesses children may have, which need careful monitoring and attention during school hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40891/14]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Community Development Initiatives (23 Oct 2014)

Martin Heydon: 175. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department has any grants or provision for funding for community gardens run by community, volunteer or not for profit groups which use horticulture and gardening to provide social and therapeutic benefits to the persons and communities they support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40799/14]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Appeals Status (16 Oct 2014)

Martin Heydon: 58. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal which is scheduled for an oral hearing in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if the oral hearing will be arranged as soon as possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39719/14]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Staff (16 Oct 2014)

Martin Heydon: 133. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the options open to a former prison officer regarding their discharge from service; the way they may have details of their case investigated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39729/14]

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Youth Cafés Provision (16 Oct 2014)

Martin Heydon: 146. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to have future rounds of grant funding for youth cafés; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39671/14]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Invalidity Pension Appeals (15 Oct 2014)

Martin Heydon: 14. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who has an appeal in for invalidity pension will be medically assessed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39473/14]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Mobility Allowance Eligibility (15 Oct 2014)

Martin Heydon: 86. To ask the Minister for Health if a person who is currently in receipt of mobility allowance returns to work on a temporary basis, will they qualify again for the mobility allowance once the temporary work has finished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39475/14]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Staffing (9 Oct 2014)

Martin Heydon: 197. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the changes to the way special needs assistants are allocated to schools; the way these changes will impact on the overall number of SNAs and resource teachers in schools this year; the reason the changes were deemed necessary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38673/14]

Agriculture Industry: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (8 Oct 2014)

Martin Heydon: Like Deputy Michael Creed, I note the lack of time available to Deputies to contribute to this debate. I reiterate his point regarding the need for greater co-ordination among farmers and a greater effort to work together. The public consultation process on the establishment of producer organisations is intended to increase farmer bargaining power and is key to the future of the sector....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: General Scheme of Horse Racing Ireland (Amendment) Bill 2014: (Resumed) Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (8 Oct 2014)

Martin Heydon: Does the proposal not include a change under head 5(k) from providing and maintaining mobile track equipment to providing, maintaining and operating such equipment? The Turf Club stated it is not ideal because photo finish staff as well as stall handlers are included and if an integrity issue arises it cannot question them. Is this the case? Is this a potential anomaly?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: General Scheme of Horse Racing Ireland (Amendment) Bill 2014: (Resumed) Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (8 Oct 2014)

Martin Heydon: My point is that head 6.3(c) refers to persons employed directly in the horseracing industry. In head 4 it is specifically referenced as stable staff. That might be taken on board in the final drafting because it is an important distinction.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: General Scheme of Horse Racing Ireland (Amendment) Bill 2014: (Resumed) Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (8 Oct 2014)

Martin Heydon: I thank the officials for coming before us. This is a worthwhile discussion because when they were before us, they were probably providing answers to questions we did not have at the time. We are much better briefed now that we have met the stakeholders. I wish to raise a number of questions based on the presentations we heard earlier. I ask the officials to bear with me because I hope my...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: General Scheme of Horse Racing Ireland (Amendment) Bill 2014: (Resumed) Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (8 Oct 2014)

Martin Heydon: The administration of entries to and fees for point-to-point meetings will continue to be handled locally by the hunt club. Will Mr. Gleeson clarify how much prize money will be made available for meetings? On the suggestion that the funds available to the Turf Club would be taken into account, does that include funding streams from commercial interests and areas outside of integrity...