Results 3,081-3,100 of 6,044 for speaker:John O'Mahony

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Business of Joint Committee (23 Oct 2013)

John O'Mahony: With regard to the presentation on nuclear energy and the BENE presentation, is it agreed that we will send a transcript of the debate to the Minister and ask him to consider it in the context of an overall energy strategy? Agreed. Is it agreed that we will issue a reasoned opinion on COM (2013) 627, a proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Business of Joint Committee (23 Oct 2013)

John O'Mahony: That was agreed and will be referred to in the minutes of the meeting.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Nuclear Energy: Discussion (23 Oct 2013)

John O'Mahony: The level of interest in the debate has increased as our deliberations have proceeded. However, we must bring matters to a conclusion for today. I sincerely thank Mr. Turvey, Mr. O'Flaherty, Mr. Duff and Professor Walton for putting the argument in favour of nuclear energy and dealing with members' question head on. They have brought home to us the possibilities to be considered in the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Nuclear Energy: Discussion (23 Oct 2013)

John O'Mahony: The danger in one is pollution and the danger in the other is safety. That is the perception of the public. For nuclear plants, it is the danger of-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Nuclear Energy: Discussion (23 Oct 2013)

John O'Mahony: That is one country. Then there is Germany, which is going in the opposite direction and discontinuing production by 2022.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Nuclear Energy: Discussion (23 Oct 2013)

John O'Mahony: Is it the trend that developing countries are going with nuclear energy whereas developed countries are taking the opposite view?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Nuclear Energy: Discussion (23 Oct 2013)

John O'Mahony: I thank Mr. Duff for his presentation. Before I hand over to members I would like to ask a question. As he mentioned, there is a huge anti-nuclear sentiment in Ireland. That is the elephant in the room and there is no point avoiding the matter. This week the UK proposed that it would build a power plant at Hinkley Point. An Taisce is seeking a judicial review of the project even though...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Nuclear Energy: Discussion (23 Oct 2013)

John O'Mahony: Have they suggested that the option be discussed?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Nuclear Energy: Discussion (23 Oct 2013)

John O'Mahony: There is a difference between discussing and supporting an initiative.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Nuclear Energy: Discussion (23 Oct 2013)

John O'Mahony: It is important that the matter is discussed and that is why BENE is before us this morning. I call Deputy Moynihan to comment.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Nuclear Energy: Discussion (23 Oct 2013)

John O'Mahony: The next item is engagement with Better Environment with Nuclear Energy, BENE, in considering nuclear energy as an option for Ireland. I welcome its representatives Mr. Frank Turvey, Dr. Tom O'Flaherty, Mr. Denis Duff and Professor Philip Walton. By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (23 Oct 2013)

John O'Mahony: I sincerely thank the departmental officials, as well as Mr. O'Brien and Mr. Hannon from ComReg, for attending and engaging with us on the proposal. It has been very helpful for the committee and will assist us in our deliberations. I propose we go into private session to consider what we should do next with the proposal.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (23 Oct 2013)

John O'Mahony: This committee could produce a reasoned opinion on this issue which could go before the Seanad and the Dáil.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (23 Oct 2013)

John O'Mahony: Before I go to Deputy Coffey, the witnesses referred to the need for much more discussion on this, but I understand that April has been set as the deadline for concluding it. Can that deadline be pushed back?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (23 Oct 2013)

John O'Mahony: Who can decide that the deadline can be pushed back?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (23 Oct 2013)

John O'Mahony: In the opening presentation, it was stated: "ComReg and BEREC are mindful of the views of the European Parliament, as contained in the report of Catherine Trautmann, which will be voted on in plenary session tomorrow". What is Ms Trautmann's view?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (23 Oct 2013)

John O'Mahony: She wants to delay it too; is that correct?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (23 Oct 2013)

John O'Mahony: I thank Mr. O'Brien. Obviously, both delegates have given a very detailed presentation. The words "caution", "doubt" and "concerns" are ringing in my ears as a result. We will proceed immediately to questions.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (23 Oct 2013)

John O'Mahony: With the agreement of members we will hear from ComReg straight away and then take questions afterwards. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (23 Oct 2013)

John O'Mahony: I welcome Ms Katherine Licken, Mr. Dave Hanley, Mr. Eugene Dillon and Mr. Aidan Ryan from the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and Mr. Kevin O'Brien and Mr. Bobby Hannon from the Commission of Communications Regulation, ComReg. They will enlighten us on the implications for Ireland of the adoption of COM (2013) 627 concerning the European single market for...