Results 21-40 of 2,214 for speaker:Joe Flaherty

Seanad: National Parks: Statements (5 Nov 2025)

Joe Flaherty: I thank Senator Boyle. I give my apologies again and ask the Minister of State at the second time of asking to respond. He has had more time to think about it now.

Seanad: National Parks: Statements (5 Nov 2025)

Joe Flaherty: Yes. If the Minister of State gives us national parks, we will give him all the time he wants.

Seanad: National Parks: Statements (5 Nov 2025)

Joe Flaherty: I thank the Minister of State for a very informative and passionate discussion. Sula mbogfaidh muid ar aghaidh, is mian liom fáilte a chur roimh na cuairteoirí san Áiléar Poiblí. I welcome our visitors to the Gallery. These are guests of the Ceann Comhairle and they are members of the Antiques Ireland group. If they are looking to buy a bit of stuff, they have...

Seanad: National Parks: Statements (5 Nov 2025)

Joe Flaherty: They are about 200 years too late, but if things ever go bad, we might be able to. I hope they enjoy their day. It is a wonderful, historic building with a lot of history. I am sure they, more than anyone else, will appreciate the history of the building.

Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2025)

Joe Flaherty: Before I call Senator Craughwell, I take the opportunity to note that several groups visited the House during the deliberations on this matter. We had groups hosted by Senators Sarah O’Reilly, Imelda Goldsboro and Sharon Keogan. Senator Keogan's guests were Councillor Grainne Maguire, Shane Cleary and Samantha Boden.

Seanad: Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2025)

Joe Flaherty: If no one else wishes to comment, I will put the question.

Seanad: Housing Finance Agency (Amendment) Bill 2025: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Oct 2025)

Joe Flaherty: I did speak to the Bill last night, but I thank Senator Conway for working in the spirit of the Bill, and particularly at a time when we face such a crisis in housing. A number of speakers last night drew attention to the issue of regional and technical colleges and their inability to access funding. There were positive soundings last night that there would be a move in relation to that....

Seanad: Housing Finance Agency (Amendment) Bill 2025: Second Stage (21 Oct 2025)

Joe Flaherty: I commend the Minister of State on a very detailed overview of what we have this evening. The significance of the Bill speaks to the enormity of the challenge we have in housing at present. It remains the foremost challenge for us as a country and as a society. It also speaks volumes in terms of the Government's commitment to addressing the issue. I commend the Minister, Ministers of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Vacancy and Dereliction: Discussion (21 Oct 2025)

Joe Flaherty: I wish to ask Mr. Flynn about one specific vacant development that I first mentioned in 2023, that is, the 103 completed apartments at No. 11, Old Naas Road, Bluebell, Dublin. I asked for mediation, which took place. Chief Justice Frank Clarke was appointed to that mediation process. I was extremely disappointed to see there was no resolution. I understand Dublin City Council walked away...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Vacancy and Dereliction: Discussion (21 Oct 2025)

Joe Flaherty: That is fine. I am happy with that response.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Vacancy and Dereliction: Discussion (21 Oct 2025)

Joe Flaherty: Mr. Hogan will have seen the detailed submission from Longford County Council about its issue with voids. He will not need me to remind him that Longford is the most challenged county in the country socioeconomically. We have the highest number of social housing per capita. That outlay can be seen, with just over €11 million spent from 2020 to 2024, at an average cost of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Vacancy and Dereliction: Discussion (21 Oct 2025)

Joe Flaherty: Did Ms Behan not see the submission in advance of the meeting?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Vacancy and Dereliction: Discussion (21 Oct 2025)

Joe Flaherty: I would have assumed that the submission would have been circulated to the Department, given the significance of it and the fact we are discussing voids.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Vacancy and Dereliction: Discussion (21 Oct 2025)

Joe Flaherty: I thank Ms Behan for endeavouring to answer the question about voids. It is disappointing, for a discussion on voids, that we do not have somebody from the Department able to address the issues specifically. I know affordable housing is her area. I am concerned that the €8 million overrun is causing huge problems financially for Longford. We would have seen the quarter 2 social...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Vacancy and Dereliction: Discussion (21 Oct 2025)

Joe Flaherty: I am conscious that I have limited time. Will we have any new builds in Longford this year?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Vacancy and Dereliction: Discussion (21 Oct 2025)

Joe Flaherty: We will have no new builds in Longford this year.

Seanad: Statement by the Taoiseach (16 Oct 2025)

Joe Flaherty: I also thought it was in order that the Cathaoirleach give €50 to anyone whose birthday it is.

Seanad: Statement by the Taoiseach (16 Oct 2025)

Joe Flaherty: It is deeply disappointing that the previous speaker sought to demean the Taoiseach’s unblemished record on leadership. It is taken as read by every European leader that Ireland has led the way in terms of voicing concerns and fears in the context of what has been happening in Gaza.As a small nation in Europe, Ireland forced Europe to stand up. Ireland was the first voice to raise...