Results 281-300 of 5,360 for speaker:Mairéad Farrell

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Freedom of Information (3 Apr 2025)

Mairéad Farrell: One of the Minister's predecessors, who is now a European Commissioner, undertook a significant review of the FOI system. There are still issues with certain public bodies refusing requests or redacting large volumes of information. Sometimes, it comes out through appeals that this was done incorrectly. There is a view that this is done based on trying to deter people in the hope they will...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Freedom of Information (3 Apr 2025)

Mairéad Farrell: I worked very constructively with former Minister, Michael McGrath, on this matter and other issues. I hope the Minister and I can do the same. Regarding this issue, we also need to consider solutions. Sometimes when people are refused an FOI request, they do not think they have the grounds to appeal the decision. I also encourage people who believe they are entitled to some information...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Freedom of Information (3 Apr 2025)

Mairéad Farrell: Yes.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Freedom of Information (3 Apr 2025)

Mairéad Farrell: 96. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans for the reform of the FOI system; the recommendations from the last review that have been implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15896/25]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Freedom of Information (3 Apr 2025)

Mairéad Farrell: What plans does the Minister have for reform of the FOI system, which of the recommendations from the last review have been implemented and will he make a statement on the matter?

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Office of Government Procurement (3 Apr 2025)

Mairéad Farrell: 91. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans for the public procurement system, and to better align it with strategic goals and ethical considerations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15893/25]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Office of Government Procurement (3 Apr 2025)

Mairéad Farrell: I am a big believer in looking at how we use our public procurement system. When I was on Galway City Council, we ensured that there were ways to employ, through social clauses and so forth, people across Galway. There are so many real positives we can use through our public procurement system. Given everything that is going on in the world at the moment, I am of the view that they can be...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Office of Government Procurement (3 Apr 2025)

Mairéad Farrell: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. I welcome the fact that the Government is having that consultation. It is welcome that we are all thinking more about this issue, whether in the context of SMEs, social enterprises, as the Minister of State outlined, councils and so on. The EU has long been calling on member states to use the public procurement system in a more strategic...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Office of Government Procurement (3 Apr 2025)

Mairéad Farrell: That is okay.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Office of Government Procurement (3 Apr 2025)

Mairéad Farrell: That is really good. I am delighted to hear the Minister of State talking about data collection. I did a survey a few years ago asking different public bodies about their use of social clauses. One body responded by saying that it paid the minimum wage. Obviously, that is not a social clause; it is the law. You have to do that. I wish to flag another thing, which comes on the back of...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Development Plan (3 Apr 2025)

Mairéad Farrell: I will be seeking a briefing on the review of the NDP and where it stands. The Minister mentioned housing, which is one of the basic infrastructures needed across Galway, Connemara and the State. I have to ask the Minister, because this was a hugely important issue during the general election campaign, about this number of 40,000 homes. The Deputy was Minister for Finance at the time. I...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Development Plan (3 Apr 2025)

Mairéad Farrell: This was information that the Minister had. It was information that the Central Bank was pointing to housing outputs for 2024 similar to or slightly below the previous year. Does the Minister genuinely believe that people can have faith in the delivery of the NDP or of what the Government is saying about housing now when, during the general election campaign, two days after the information...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Development Plan (3 Apr 2025)

Mairéad Farrell: I am asking you.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Development Plan (3 Apr 2025)

Mairéad Farrell: Disappointed is not good enough for people.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Development Plan (3 Apr 2025)

Mairéad Farrell: Does the Minister think people can believe that?

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Development Plan (3 Apr 2025)

Mairéad Farrell: But they are not.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Development Plan (3 Apr 2025)

Mairéad Farrell: Are they going to sleep on buses?

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Development Plan (3 Apr 2025)

Mairéad Farrell: Does the Minister think people can have faith in that?

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Development Plan (3 Apr 2025)

Mairéad Farrell: 89. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to the national development plan, his plans for additional investment in infrastructure in the west of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15892/25]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Development Plan (3 Apr 2025)

Mairéad Farrell: The Minister knows Galway, the west and Connemara. He has seen the impact Storm Éowyn continues to have in certain parts of Connemara and across Mayo. It is very clear from the impact of this storm and Storm Darragh that we seriously need investment in basic infrastructure throughout the west of Ireland. The need in this regard is particularly acute in certain parts of Connemara and...