Results 3,061-3,080 of 3,444 for speaker:Shane Cassells

Order of Business (31 Jan 2017)

Shane Cassells: The opening line under the energy policy section of the programme for Government states, "It is clear that there is a need for much better engagement with citizens and communities about the energy policy decisions that affect them". Last Thursday at the EirGrid annual conference held in Dublin Castle, the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Kyne, when speaking about the decision by An Bord...

Order of Business (31 Jan 2017)

Shane Cassells: Pardon, Taoiseach.

Order of Business (31 Jan 2017)

Shane Cassells: I asked if the Government was clear in its support. Is the Government clear in its support for the overhead pylons?

Order of Business (31 Jan 2017)

Shane Cassells: The Deputies could not hear that answer, Taoiseach, never mind anyone else. It is indicative of the people not being listened to.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (26 Jan 2017)

Shane Cassells: Can we establish if EirGrid receives any direct subvention or funding from the taxpayer to fund its activities? The views expressed by members of Monaghan County Council have been repeated by council members in counties Meath and Cavan about the manner and the conduct of EirGrid during a very flawed process. At an oral hearing I attended, as pointed out last week at a massive rally which...

Public Accounts Committee: 2015 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 35 – Army Pensions
Vote 36 - Department of Defence
Chapter 8 – Disposal of the Government Jet (26 Jan 2017)

Shane Cassells: I welcome Mr. Quinn and his team. I will refer to the Government jet given that everyone else has spoken about it. Deputy Cullinane referred to its new owners, Journey Aviation, its destinations, including Paris, and its home base of Palm Beach. I wish the new owners well. I looked at the flight history of the Government jet, in particular, the number of times it broke down. Deputy...

Public Accounts Committee: 2015 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 35 – Army Pensions
Vote 36 - Department of Defence
Chapter 8 – Disposal of the Government Jet (26 Jan 2017)

Shane Cassells: I mentioned a particular company. As Ireland is a small country there are not many companies of this type engaged here in these particular services. Mr. Quinn referenced the White Paper on Defence. Deputy Coveney, when Minister for Defence, visited the company I mentioned, as did Deputy Bruton in his then capacity as Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. It is recognised as a...

Public Accounts Committee: 2015 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 35 – Army Pensions
Vote 36 - Department of Defence
Chapter 8 – Disposal of the Government Jet (26 Jan 2017)

Shane Cassells: It had previously worked with the Department dating back to the 1970s.

Public Accounts Committee: 2015 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 35 – Army Pensions
Vote 36 - Department of Defence
Chapter 8 – Disposal of the Government Jet (26 Jan 2017)

Shane Cassells: Which would require alterations to suspensions as well.

Public Accounts Committee: 2015 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 35 – Army Pensions
Vote 36 - Department of Defence
Chapter 8 – Disposal of the Government Jet (26 Jan 2017)

Shane Cassells: Notwithstanding an open tender process, is there a willingness in the Department to engage with Irish firms on what they can do ahead of the tendering process?

Public Accounts Committee: 2015 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 35 – Army Pensions
Vote 36 - Department of Defence
Chapter 8 – Disposal of the Government Jet (26 Jan 2017)

Shane Cassells: I thank Mr. Quinn.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (24 Jan 2017)

Shane Cassells: 504. To ask the Minister for Health if a hospital appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3190/17]

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Ticket Touting (24 Jan 2017)

Shane Cassells: 611. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to develop protections for buyers of tickets for sporting, cultural and musical events from so-called ticket touting (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3189/17]

Public Accounts Committee: Report of the Accounts of the Public Services 2015
Chapter 11 - Guardian Ad Litem Service (19 Jan 2017)

Shane Cassells: I welcome Dr. Lynch and the other witnesses. Deputy Madigan asked why this was not on people's radar and why no one was flagging this. We flagged this as far back as two years ago in February 2015 when our then spokesperson, Deputy Troy, introduced legislation into the Dáil aimed at tackling these exorbitant fees. We wanted to legislate for the manner in which the courts appointed...

Public Accounts Committee: Report of the Accounts of the Public Services 2015
Chapter 11 - Guardian Ad Litem Service (19 Jan 2017)

Shane Cassells: Dr. Lynch has said the scheme is demand-led. That feeds into another question. He also responded to questions about implementation and working in parallel with the legislation as it proceeds this year. If the Department forecasts the passing and introduction of legislation in the autumn of this year, will it be ready to move on the introduction of the systems to which the Chairman referred?

Public Accounts Committee: Report of the Accounts of the Public Services 2015
Chapter 11 - Guardian Ad Litem Service (19 Jan 2017)

Shane Cassells: Leaving aside the monetary aspect and focusing on the human side, the creation of Dr. Lynch's stand-alone Department was a very significant step and a bold statement in putting the rights of children of all ages first at the Cabinet table. Dr. Lynch says the scheme is demand-led and that he is working on previous years' figures. He said that, at best, there was stagnation in demand for the...

Public Accounts Committee: Report of the Accounts of the Public Services 2015
Chapter 11 - Guardian Ad Litem Service (19 Jan 2017)

Shane Cassells: The societal issue is the dangers being faced by children in 2017. Dr. Lynch's office works with agencies such as Barnardos, Tusla and others, but, while one needs a licence to own a dog, anybody can procreate. Being a parent is one of the most demanding jobs in the world; being a Deputy is a doddle in comparison. I speak as the father of three young children. What is the Department doing...

Public Accounts Committee: Report of the Accounts of the Public Services 2015
Chapter 11 - Guardian Ad Litem Service (19 Jan 2017)

Shane Cassells: If it is a demand-led scheme and the case that, at best, there is stagnation, while, at worst, the figures are going up, what is the Department doing to tackle the issues? What are its interactions with Barnardos to identify what needs to be done to bring the figures down in order that there will be no requirement for these services?

Public Accounts Committee: Report of the Accounts of the Public Services 2015
Chapter 11 - Guardian Ad Litem Service (19 Jan 2017)

Shane Cassells: We also have an ever-expanding early years education sector. It has come from nowhere in the past two decades but has come under huge pressure because of the demands of parents and pressure exerted by the Government. Schemes are being rolled out at a quick rate all over the country, but the required staff cannot be found for these services. As the Department is also rolling out the second...

Public Accounts Committee: Report of the Accounts of the Public Services 2015
Chapter 11 - Guardian Ad Litem Service (19 Jan 2017)

Shane Cassells: I am asking for some latitude. This comes to the root cause. We have a situation where the Department is before the committee with exorbitant costs associated with that. I see it straight away in terms of coming to the root cause and early intervention and we are putting serious amounts of money into that. I trust you will allow me latitude in this respect, Chairman.