Results 361-380 of 4,645 for speaker:Seán Canney

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (19 Mar 2025)

Seán Canney: 1509. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 721 of 18 February 2025, if she will clarify Section 3 of the Guidelines on Terms and Conditions of HSE Employment regarding incremental credit, if service in the defence forces is recognised as relevant service in Ireland and abroad, and if ‘previous experience in the Civil Service, local authorities, health...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (19 Mar 2025)

Seán Canney: 1847. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1108 of 2 February 2025, if there has been a change to the criteria since 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12452/25]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Network (4 Mar 2025)

Seán Canney: As the Deputy is probably aware, this is a project I have been pursuing for a long number of years. The final report of the all-island strategic rail review was published in July last year, following extensive public consultation. The report sets out 32 recommendations to enhance and expand the rail system in Ireland and Northern Ireland up to 2050, aligning with decarbonisation commitments...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Network (4 Mar 2025)

Seán Canney: There is a timeline. I said that the all-island rail review mentioned a start date of 2030. However, with the review of the national development plan, and in view of the fact that the project does not need planning permission or a rail order, it is a project that can be implemented a lot quicker than that. I hope to talk to and continue to engage with officials. In the context of the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Network (4 Mar 2025)

Seán Canney: I understand the Deputy's frustration when she talks about this particular problem we have in Galway. I hope we will be able to find solutions. One of the frustrations is that we spend a great deal of time on strategies and plans when we need to spend a little bit more time on implementation so that we can actually see the improvements reaching people on the ground. The light rail...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Network (4 Mar 2025)

Seán Canney: The Deputy is right. I mentioned earlier that rail infrastructure in Galway is being developed with the development of Ceannt Station and the granting of planning permission for the passing loop at Oranmore. It is important that we create better connectivity into the city but also that we create a city in which you can move around in comfort. On the issue of the park-and-ride facilities...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Network (4 Mar 2025)

Seán Canney: I thank the Deputy for her kind words. As she is aware the National Transport Authority published a light rail feasibility study for Galway last October for information. The study was prepared as part of a mode-specific analysis undertaken for the development of the Galway metropolitan area transport strategy, which the NTA is developing, in conjunction with Galway City Council and Galway...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Network (4 Mar 2025)

Seán Canney: I hear the Deputy's frustration when he suggests there should be better and more frequent services. This is where the all-island rail review comes into focus. Improvements in the line to Wexford and Rosslare are part of the overall plan. Some of the infrastructural investment that has to go in will be a challenge, considering where the line is and the infrastructure that will be required....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Network (4 Mar 2025)

Seán Canney: We are on the same wavelength here. We need proper investment and to deliver infrastructure that suits people's demands. On the Dublin-Belfast issue, the popularity of the train service has created additional demand. That is a good thing. It means it is working. We have to keep it working right across the country and put investment into it. We also have to provide a good passenger...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bus Services (4 Mar 2025)

Seán Canney: I thank the Deputy. As she may be aware, the NTA published the final new bus network design for Galway in December 2023. The redesign of the bus network is one of the key elements of BusConnects Galway, which aims to transform the city’s bus system, making public transport more useful to more people. This new Galway network redesign involves extensive analysis and public...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bus Services (4 Mar 2025)

Seán Canney: I, too, question why we have to wait two years to get it implemented. It is something I will be going back on because it is important that we deliver infrastructure faster. The Government's approach is to implement things rather than strategise them. We have enough of the paperwork done. We need to get it going. We have a huge problem with traffic in Galway city. We need to push on...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bus Services (4 Mar 2025)

Seán Canney: The Deputy is not the first public representative to talk to me about Mervue, so I am well aware of it.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bus Services (4 Mar 2025)

Seán Canney: On the detail the Deputy is looking for as regards the running of the bus service and the contracts that will be in place, that is information I do not have now. I will come back to the Deputy because it is something I need to know about myself. As I said, I am just into the job so I will be finding out.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rail Network (4 Mar 2025)

Seán Canney: As the Deputy may be aware, a number of significant improvements are planned across Ireland's rail network over the coming years, including on the Dublin to Rosslare line. Last year, some changes to timetables on the line were introduced, including a new late evening service between Wexford and Gorey. I look forward to similar such timetable improvements bring introduced in the coming...

Seanad: Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Accidents) Bill 2024: Second Stage (4 Mar 2025)

Seán Canney: I thank the Senators for their contributions, all of which I listened to intently. I will try to answer some of the questions raised. In regard to pre-legislative scrutiny, this was carried out by the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications. Its report was published on 2 May 2023. Where appropriate, the recommendations of the committee were incorporated in the Bill - for example,...

Seanad: Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Accidents) Bill 2024: Second Stage (4 Mar 2025)

Seán Canney: Section 52 sets out consequential amendments required to other merchant shipping Acts on foot of the new requirements for offshore service vessels. These include a new definition for the SOLAS Convention in the Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention) Act 1952 to take account of the amendments made to the convention in respect of the new Chapter XV on the carriage of industrial personnel. ...

Seanad: Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Accidents) Bill 2024: Second Stage (4 Mar 2025)

Seán Canney: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach. I am pleased to introduce the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Accidents) Bill 2024 for the consideration of the House. The Bill establishes a marine accident investigation unit, MAIU, within the Department of Transport and provides for a transition from the current Marine Casualty Investigation Board, MCIB. The MAIU, led by a chief...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Fuel Poverty (25 Feb 2025)

Seán Canney: 600. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a low-income household, where some members are in low-income employment and not in receipt of social protection, can access fuel allowance; if all members of a household need to be in receipt of social protection payments before fuel allowance will be granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7721/25]

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Tourism Policy (20 Feb 2025)

Seán Canney: I thank Deputy Geoghegan for raising a very important issue we need to get to grips with. I am responding on behalf of the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media pending the formal transfer of functions, following Government formation. There are currently no plans to introduce a tourist tax or visitor accommodation levy but the Minister’s understanding and...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Tourism Policy (20 Feb 2025)

Seán Canney: Tourism is the largest indigenous industry in Ireland and a major driver of regional growth and employment. Visitor accommodation capacity is a key infrastructure element underpinning the tourism offering, located, as it is, in every region and county. The visitor accommodation business provides significant employment, supporting livelihoods, families and sustainable local economies. The...