Results 3,981-4,000 of 10,569 for speaker:Patrick O'Donovan

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes (21 Jul 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Enniscorthy (River Slaney) flood defence scheme is being progressed by Wexford County Council on behalf of the Commissioners of Public Works as a scheme under the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 and 1995. This is a significant scheme within the Office of Public Works €1 billion flood relief investment programme, and on completion will protect 236 properties in the town. The Scheme...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Traffic Management (21 Jul 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Office of Public Works did not undertake or commission a study on the effects of the closure of the peripheral gates of the Phoenix Park on traffic volumes in the surrounding areas. Dublin City Council has administrative responsibility for these areas. OPW is committed to engaging in a consultation process on the Phoenix Park Traffic and Mobility Strategy, involving all stakeholders, to...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Traffic Management (21 Jul 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: The decision to re-open the gates on Friday 10th July was based on an increase in the volume of traffic in the neighbouring areas surrounding the Park to which the gate closures have in part contributed and because a further increase in traffic volume in the coming weeks and months with the escalation of the returning workforce within the City and the re-opening of schools might be...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Traffic Management (16 Jul 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Phoenix Park is a wonderful resource for all recreational users, both local and national. The issue of traffic through the Park, and in particular by which gates traffic should be admitted , is a complex one with arguments on both sides as to whether the peripheral gates, which had been closed due to the pandemic in consultation with An Garda Síochána, ought to remain closed to...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (16 Jul 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Raheny (Santry River) Flood Protection Project was initiated and carried out by Dublin City Council following major fluvial flooding in 1986, 2008, 2009 and 2011. The first phase was constructed in 2013 and comprised of works to attenuate flood flows upstream of Harmonstown Road Bridge. Progression of a further Santry Flood Relief Scheme to augment the existing Scheme was identified as...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Traffic Management (16 Jul 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Office of Public Works is currently conducting traffic counts at a number of locations throughout the Phoenix Park and this data collection has been expanded to included all entrances from Monday 20th of July. OPW is now seeking to undertake a comprehensive analysis of transport and mobility in the Park which will include a detailed consultation with a range of stakeholders to inform...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Cycling Facilities (16 Jul 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: In response to the public health advices surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, The Office of Public Works introduced 7 kms of new cycle lanes adjacent to the main spine of the Park on Chesterfield Avenue in order to ensure sufficient space was created for social distancing on the inner pathways and to ensure the safety of both cyclists and pedestrians. OPW is now collecting usage data for...

Financial Provisions (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Jul 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: The SBCI and the pillar banks operate, as the Deputy will be aware, on the basis of the commercial memorandum that is in place. It is a commercial decision. It is operated on in people's best interests and to make sure people are protected. It is not intended to be published as part of this and is part of the regular relationship that exists between the SBCI and the pillar banks.

Financial Provisions (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Jul 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: Unfortunately, I cannot accept Deputy Doherty's first amendment. We had a discussion during the interruption. Article 11 of the SURE regulation states that member states' guarantees must be irrevocable, unconditional and on demand. The proposed amendment would in effect make the SURE guarantee agreement signed by Ireland a conditional rather than an unconditional one, as is required. It...

Financial Provisions (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Jul 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: I apologise to Deputy Doherty. I should have made this point to him earlier. The mechanism between the SBCI and the pillar banks is not included in the legislation because it is factored in through memoranda of understanding between them. As to when it is envisaged the Government may wish to access the scheme, there is no date, but what I can say is that access to the SURE facility will...

Financial Provisions (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Jul 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: I thank the Deputies. I will start with the pubs. I have a vested interest as I have family members who are publicans. There are mixed views on this and it is probably not something to get involved in this evening. With regard to the tourism element, and I was formerly a Minister of State with responsibility for tourism, it plays a major role in the economy of the country. It is in every...

Financial Provisions (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Jul 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: I know, but I want to respond out of courtesy to the Deputies because, in fairness, they have waited. With regard to the capital investment that both Deputies referred to, I can highlight a positive example that was completed in the last 12 months in Athea in my constituency. While there are many waiting, some have been delivered.

Financial Provisions (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Jul 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: They can be taken together.

Financial Provisions (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Jul 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: I understand that it will be worked out together between the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, and the Minister, Deputy Humphreys.

Financial Provisions (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Jul 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: Yes.

Financial Provisions (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Jul 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: I appreciate and accept the frustration that the Deputy has expressed. It is not a position that I am overly enamoured with either but the Business Committee set out to try to put in place the legislative agenda between now and the recess. This Bill was identified as priority legislation. Although I could be wrong, it is my understanding that it was so identified in the absence of a...

Financial Provisions (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Jul 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: In response to Deputy Doherty and to reinforce what I said earlier, this scheme is designed to be available to European Union countries. He is absolutely right that the United Kingdom has made the decision to withdraw but that does not negate its need to look after the people within its own jurisdiction. Deputy Doherty, being from an Ulster constituency, is very cognisant of the people who,...

Financial Provisions (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Jul 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: Deputy Healy-Rae is correct; we can access funding in the same way. Many of the infrastructural projects that are under way are funded by European Investment Bank funding. He will know from the national development plan that we have €116 billion worth of a plan over a period. Some of the funding will come from the Exchequer, some of it will be borrowed, some of it will come from the...

Financial Provisions (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Jul 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: Unfortunately, the Deputy probably knows the answer before I give it. The legislation applies to those companies that are domiciled, registered and fulfil every other legal requirement in this jurisdiction. I do not disagree with anything he has said about people being taken out of the European Union against their will but, unfortunately, this is a European Union instrument. The instrument...

Financial Provisions (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Jul 2020)

Patrick O'Donovan: On the Deputy's initial point about this Bill being patriarchal, I do not disagree with the sentiments she has expressed. In fact, criticism of the lethargy with which the European Union's institutions responded to Covid is very justifiable. Member states and Members of this House have made such criticisms. The Deputy is quite right. It has taken a long time. Perhaps it took the...