Results 301-320 of 732 for speaker:Cathal Berry

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (24 Nov 2022)

Cathal Berry: 19. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if members of the emergency aeromedical service in Athlone and those who assisted with mandatory hotel quarantine will receive the €1,000 pandemic recognition payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58473/22]

Post-European Council: Statements (16 Nov 2022)

Cathal Berry: I bid good afternoon to the Minister of State, and I thank the Taoiseach for his opening statement. I will start on the pack of cards and the Russian announcement in the past couple of hours of the sanctioning of and declaring as personae non gratae 52 Irish politicians. I am not sure if the Minister of State made the cut. If he did, congratulations; if not, commiserations. I am not sure...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (16 Nov 2022)

Cathal Berry: I welcome the Taoiseach and the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy Simon Harris. I very much welcome the €1,000 reduction in the student contribution fee that was announced in the budget. It is relevant for this academic year. On balance it is a good thing and is making a very positive difference downstream. Unfortunately, it is only...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Nov 2022)

Cathal Berry: The RHAs, in particular, are vital. It is very unusual to have six hospital groups and nine CHOs and for them not even geographically to align so I hope that will streamline the process. It is also reassuring to hear about the consultants' contract. If that can be done by Christmas it would make a massive improvement downstream because you are not just hiring managers or people with...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Nov 2022)

Cathal Berry: I wish the Taoiseach a good afternoon. It is appropriate that we focus on healthcare reform for the day that is in it. There can be no better way of honouring the memory of Vicky Phelan than to focus on and accomplish what she was advocating for, namely, healthcare reform. We want to fix our broken health service to minimise errors and maximise excellence in all its forms. As the...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (Revised) (10 Nov 2022)

Cathal Berry: Conscious of the clock, I have just a few comments and questions, maybe four. I thank the Minister for attending with his team to make his opening statement. There was a commitment for direct communication or liaison with the veterans’ associations on pensions. That would be very much welcome and useful. We had the veterans’ associations here this year. Maybe this is...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (Revised) (10 Nov 2022)

Cathal Berry: I thank the Minister for the clarification. My next question is on the 13,065 military pensioners, which number reflects the extent of the retention crisis. I take the Minister’s point that he is aware of this issue. The big takeaway I am getting is that it is not only operationally preferable to keep people in service but also financially preferable. Many of the pensioners would...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (Revised) (10 Nov 2022)

Cathal Berry: Doubling down on what Deputy Brady said, I also welcome the interim arrangement for sergeants who are over 50 years of age and the extension up to the age of 52 in 2024. Privates and corporals are allowed to serve up to the age of 55. Obviously, the follow on question is, while welcoming the extension up as far as 52 years of age, where are we with extending it further up to 55? How long...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (Revised) (10 Nov 2022)

Cathal Berry: I have a final point. My understanding is that there are two people who served in the same platoons and who joined the Defence Forces on the same day. One is still a private and one is a sergeant. The sergeant makes the point that they went out of their way and went overseas loads of times and did the promotion competition, so why should they have to retire three years in advance of...

Long Covid Health Services: Motion [Private Members] (9 Nov 2022)

Cathal Berry: I welcome the Ministers of State. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this important debate on long Covid. I would like to commend my good colleague, Deputy Naughten, and Cáit Nic Amhlaoibh, our group administrator who, in fairness, did all the heavy work in preparing the motion. I acknowledge and welcome the presence of patient advocates and long Covid patients in the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Humanitarian Situation in Ukraine: Members of the Ukrainian Parliament (8 Nov 2022)

Cathal Berry: I thank Mr. Merezhko for his detailed opening statement. I am very sorry for what his country and people are going through. He can be assured of the absolute support of the Independent parliamentary group, of which I am a member, in his country's struggle with Russia. I will focus on diplomacy in my questions. Mr. Merezhko brought up a number of points. I take his point on the...

Development (Emergency Electricity Generation) Bill 2022: Second Stage (26 Oct 2022)

Cathal Berry: I am sharing time with Deputy Shanahan. I thank the Minister of State for his opening statement. I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on the Bill. I share the concerns that have been articulated and echo them. This is not the way to do business and I think both the Minister of State and the Minister will appreciate that. There is little time for debate or scrutiny when a...

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (Resumed) (19 Oct 2022)

Cathal Berry: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate in advance of the European Council meeting tomorrow and Friday in Brussels. I begin by welcoming the creation of the European Political Community. It is a good idea and a good initiative. It is appropriate that EU and non-EU countries across Europe can sit around the same table and discuss the pressing matters of the day. It was good...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (19 Oct 2022)

Cathal Berry: We all appreciate the importance of local government. My constituency, Kildare South, spans three local authority areas, which are Kildare, Laois and Offaly, with a total of 78 councillors. I hear on the ground that some councillors find it increasingly difficult to get release from their full-time jobs to attend crucial council meetings. Interestingly, it is not private sector employers...

Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (13 Oct 2022)

Cathal Berry: I wish the Minister "Good afternoon" and thank her for her detailed opening statement. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this debate on the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022 and I very much welcome it. It is long overdue. I am happy to support its passage through the Dáil and I do so for the following reasons. First of all, it brings Irish...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Citizens Information Services (13 Oct 2022)

Cathal Berry: I thank the Minister for her response. I agree entirely that it is an excellent service. It is independent, valued and, crucially, it is accessible. I use it myself. I refer many constituents to the service and I presume every Deputy in the House does the same. I have the Newbridge office on speed dial if I want to run something by it on a complex case. I take the point on the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Citizens Information Services (13 Oct 2022)

Cathal Berry: That is good to hear. I appreciate the update. My view, which is shared by most Deputies, is that the citizens information service is excellent not in spite of the volunteers but because of them. Many of them have a wealth of knowledge from their careers, be that in tax or social welfare. They also have a crucial accessibility function. I welcome the review and I look forward to reading...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Citizens Information Services (13 Oct 2022)

Cathal Berry: 2. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will provide an update on the implementation of the Citizens Information Board's strategic plan in respect of the use of volunteer staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50989/22]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Citizens Information Services (13 Oct 2022)

Cathal Berry: My question has to do with the citizens information service and, in particular, what the plan is to deal with volunteer staff. There have been rumours and concerns floating around over the past couple of months. The Minister might use this opportunity this morning to clarify the Government's position in that regard.