Results 4,001-4,020 of 5,363 for speaker:Michael Moynihan

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Policy (26 Feb 2015)

Michael Moynihan: 242. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if biomass will form part of future Government energy policy. [8536/15]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Energy Prices: Discussion (25 Feb 2015)

Michael Moynihan: I thank the Chairman and welcome the organisations before us. It was a very worthwhile discussion and debate. Some of the witnesses have explained the exasperation that is prevalent and the perception that prices have dropped in the last quarter of 2014 with no corresponding price drop in household or business energy bills. I understand hedging but there has been a considerable reduction...

Teaching Council (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage (18 Feb 2015)

Michael Moynihan: I thank the Acting Chairman for giving me the opportunity so late to contribute to the debate. I had to attend a number of other meetings today and was not sure whether I would get an opportunity to contribute to this debate. The legislation is both fundamental and very important, but there are a number of issues about which I want to raise genuine concerns, including the holding of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Regulation of Gas Industry: Discussion (18 Feb 2015)

Michael Moynihan: I welcome representatives of the Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors of Ireland and the CER. This is a very serious issue. I have had significant engagement with both groups. I know that the association has been pretty exasperated by the issue. More than 200 plumbers attended a meeting in a Fitzgerald hotel on a Tuesday evening in the middle of January. They are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Regulation of Gas Industry: Discussion (18 Feb 2015)

Michael Moynihan: The commissioner's point is accepted. Anybody who is having a gas boiler installed should use a properly regulated and insured contractor. This must be the one flagged message out there. However, much unregulated and uninsured work is taking place. How will we ensure such work is stopped? What is happening in the marketplace is very dangerous and there is great frustration. The plumbers...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Regulation of Gas Industry: Discussion (18 Feb 2015)

Michael Moynihan: Have all the more than 4,000 safety disconnections been followed up comprehensively?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Regulation of Gas Industry: Discussion (18 Feb 2015)

Michael Moynihan: I welcome the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, to the committee to discuss this issue. There is huge frustration with the system given the reduction in oil and gas prices. The CER is right that gas is the major component in terms of Irish energy prices. People are asking why they are not seeing a reduction in the price of electricity, when they have seen a reduction in price at the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Regulation of Gas Industry: Discussion (18 Feb 2015)

Michael Moynihan: Some 18% of the 30% is 6%. Currently, there is a 2% to 2.5% reduction. However, there should be a full 6% reduction at some stage.

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: National Standards Authority of Ireland (17 Feb 2015)

Michael Moynihan: 245. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if his attention has been drawn to the delays with the issuing of certification of type approval by the National Standards Authority of Ireland for new commercial vehicles, in view of these delays are having a serious financial impact on struggling businesses; he will intervene to ensure that this situation is resolved immediately;...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teaching Council of Ireland (17 Feb 2015)

Michael Moynihan: 457. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the concerns among teachers regarding the proposals to introduce public hearings, as part of fitness to teach inquiries; if she will provide an assurance to teachers, that any such hearings will be carried out in a fair and balanced way; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6996/15]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (17 Feb 2015)

Michael Moynihan: 458. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure that a school (details supplied) in County Cork does not have its resource hours reduced any further; if she will increase its allocation of resource hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6998/15]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Seniors Alert Scheme (12 Feb 2015)

Michael Moynihan: 243. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the serious concerns held by volunteers in local community groups regarding the proposed changes to the seniors alert scheme, in particular regarding the lack of consultation with those groups who have been administering this scheme, with such great effect up to now; his views on...

Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Feb 2015)

Michael Moynihan: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill, which relates to a huge amount of issues. When I raised certain matters regarding the institutes of technology in Cork and Tralee on Topical Issues earlier this afternoon, it was the first engagement I had across the floor of the House with the Minister, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, since she was appointed to this position. I wish her well. We...

Topical Issue Debate: Technological Universities (11 Feb 2015)

Michael Moynihan: I thank the Minister for her reply. This is an issue of concern to staff. Everyone needs to be brought on board with regard to mergers. I respectfully ask the Minister as a matter of urgency to meet the TUI who represent the staff at both institutes and to hear their concerns. Nobody wants this matter to go to industrial relations. There needs to be face-to-face meetings. I have asked...

Topical Issue Debate: Technological Universities (11 Feb 2015)

Michael Moynihan: Thank you, a Cheann Comhairle, for allowing me to raise this issue along with Deputy Jonathan O’Brien.There is a significant risk of industrial action over concerns about the proposed merger of the institutes of technology in Cork and Tralee for a technological university application. Deputy Jonathan O’Brien outlined that the TUI has lodged a complaint. Academic staff in both...

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 29 - Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Revised) (11 Feb 2015)

Michael Moynihan: I wish to raise a number of issues on communications and then return to deal with broadcasting and energy.

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 29 - Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Revised) (11 Feb 2015)

Michael Moynihan: I welcome the Minister and his officials. This is the Minister's first time taking the Estimates and I wish him the best of luck. The Department is almost all-encompassing at this stage. Broadband coverage is the main communications issue. People right across the country are very exasperated with broadband services and the almost never-never promise or commitment on the provision of...

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 29 - Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Revised) (11 Feb 2015)

Michael Moynihan: I take it the preferred choice is fibre.

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 29 - Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Revised) (11 Feb 2015)

Michael Moynihan: I refer to the timeframe involved. The application seeking state aid approval will be sent to the European Commission mid-year. I stress that this issue is beyond urgent in communities everybody present and I represent. The application will be made mid-year, but has the Minister received an indication from the European Commission as to when a decision will be made on the matter?

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 29 - Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Revised) (11 Feb 2015)

Michael Moynihan: I do not want to put a timeframe on it, but we should be exerting whatever pressure we can on the European Commission to make a decision as quickly as possible. I expect the decision to be that it will allow state aid to be given. What timeframe does the Department envisage after we receive approval from the European Commission?