Results 3,661-3,680 of 4,399 for speaker:Martin Browne

Committee on Public Petitions: Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman Reports 2018 and 2019: Discussion (25 May 2021)

Martin Browne: The Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman, FSPO, was set up in 2018. The powers of this ombudsman are among the strongest in the world for any specialist ombudsman. We will consider the annual reports of 2018 and 2019, together with other interesting issues that have arisen in more recent times, including: the effectiveness of the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman; the turnover...

Committee on Public Petitions: Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman Reports 2018 and 2019: Discussion (25 May 2021)

Martin Browne: I thank Mr. Deering for that comprehensive opening statement. I am quite sure there are plenty of questions to keep him busy for the next hour and a half. I will start with a few questions, which I will give to Mr. Deering in blocks of three if he does not mind. In the 2018 annual report, the FSPO stated that it wanted to "Improve the quality and speed of the management of existing and...

Committee on Public Petitions: Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman Reports 2018 and 2019: Discussion (25 May 2021)

Martin Browne: That is correct.

Committee on Public Petitions: Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman Reports 2018 and 2019: Discussion (25 May 2021)

Martin Browne: I have several more questions, after which I will bring in other members. Will Mr. Deering explain the difference between the role of the Central Bank and the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, CCPC, and that of the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman? Will he comment on resources and staff availability? He pointed out that despite the impacts of the pandemic, his office...

Committee on Public Petitions: Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman Reports 2018 and 2019: Discussion (25 May 2021)

Martin Browne: I thank Mr. Deering. There are two members wishing to speak, after which I will come back with more questions. I call Deputy Devlin.

Committee on Public Petitions: Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman Reports 2018 and 2019: Discussion (25 May 2021)

Martin Browne: Deputy Devlin was looking to come back in there.

Committee on Public Petitions: Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman Reports 2018 and 2019: Discussion (25 May 2021)

Martin Browne: I have some questions myself. Insurance is an issue that the FSPO has dealt with in recent years. It is something that has been under considerable scrutiny in the House too. I appreciate it is early days but has there been any noticeable decrease in the number of complaints on increases in premium rates since the new insurance regulations on personal injury pay-outs were introduced in...

Committee on Public Petitions: Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman Reports 2018 and 2019: Discussion (25 May 2021)

Martin Browne: I would appreciate that. I have a couple more questions about the attitude of the banks and the insurance companies, before Deputy Buckley comes in. From dealing with the banks on the tracker mortgage issue and insurance companies on the interruption clause and premiums, can the witnesses tell us whether there has there been any reform in the attitudes of the banks and insurance companies...

Committee on Public Petitions: Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman Reports 2018 and 2019: Discussion (25 May 2021)

Martin Browne: I am conscious of the time as we are coming near the two-hour mark. I do not see any other members wishing to get back in. Do you wish to make any closing remarks Mr. Deering?

Committee on Public Petitions: Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman Reports 2018 and 2019: Discussion (25 May 2021)

Martin Browne: On behalf of the committee, I thank Mr. Deering and Ms McGovern for their attendance and for giving us an insight into what they do. I hope that at some time down the line, they can come before the committee in person. The amount of work that they take undertake across society is clear. I would like to have them before the committee next time rather than virtually. I hope we can meet...

Committee on Public Petitions: Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman Reports 2018 and 2019: Discussion (25 May 2021)

Martin Browne: Next on the agenda was to be election of Vice Chairman. At the private meeting earlier, people informed us that they would not be around. It was agreed that it would be put off until the public meeting next month. We will put it back on the agenda for then. Is that agreed? Agreed. Does anyone wish to make a final comment before the meeting closes?

Committee on Public Petitions: Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman Reports 2018 and 2019: Discussion (25 May 2021)

Martin Browne: At our next public meeting we hope to have the Ombudsman for Children before the committee to discuss direct provision. Stay safe.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Horticulture Sector (20 May 2021)

Martin Browne: 8. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the engagement he has had with the mushroom and horticultural sectors on the changes to the harvesting of horticultural peat; and the provisions he is preparing to support the sector. [27066/21]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Horticulture Sector (20 May 2021)

Martin Browne: I want the Minister to outline the engagements he has had with the members of the horticulture and mushroom sectors since the ban on horticultural peat harvesting and to address the level of dismay within the sector, given the impact of this ban and how they feel abandoned by the Minister and the Department.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Horticulture Sector (20 May 2021)

Martin Browne: Like other Members, the Minister of State will have heard the valid concerns about livelihoods in the sector because it is being targeted. The workers themselves are saying that the Ministers of State, Deputy Hackett and Deputy Noonan, have a fixed position on the issue of bogs and will do nothing more for the workers affected, and they say the just transition does not reach them. They are...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Horticulture Sector (20 May 2021)

Martin Browne: There is a nursery in Dundrum in my constituency where the owner cares for 1 million CO2 absorbing plants a year, and I am sure the working group will hear similar stories. He told me yesterday he was glad he has only ten more years in the business when the people who should be looking after it have no interest in it. He has had to source horticultural peat from Scotland and Estonia, and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Forestry Sector (20 May 2021)

Martin Browne: Deputy Carthy has covered much of the issue. If, prior to March 2021, Coillte was able to provide generic, non-site-specific harvest plans with its felling applications and that has been accepted practice between Coillte and the Department, how many applications have been submitted and processed in this manner and will the Minister of State make a statement on it?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Forestry Sector (20 May 2021)

Martin Browne: If I could come back in.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Coillte Teoranta (20 May 2021)

Martin Browne: 22. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if prior to March 2021 Coillte has been able to provide generic non-site specific harvest plans with their felling applications; if this has been accepted practice between Coillte and his Department; the number of applications submitted and processed in this manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27065/21]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Heritage Sites (20 May 2021)

Martin Browne: 238. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the current efforts to obtain UNESCO world heritage status for the Rock of Cashel; the supports his Department plans to provide in relation to the bid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27185/21]