Results 4,101-4,120 of 10,569 for speaker:Patrick O'Donovan

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Post Office Closures (26 Jun 2019)

Patrick O'Donovan: I thank the Deputies from Kerry, Donegal, and Meath for raising these issues. I apologise that I am not a Minister in the line Department. The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Bruton, is at European Council meeting in Luxembourg. As Deputies will know, Ministers of State routinely cover their colleagues. I wish to cover as many of the points raised as...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (26 Jun 2019)

Patrick O'Donovan: The valid points the Deputy made will be relayed to the Minister for Education and Skills. I will reflect on them also. I am not in the Department but I am a teacher and I understand the importance of the July provision and its delivery. There are different methodologies in respect of it. Some of it is school based and some is not school based. The Minister will take his policy direction...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (26 Jun 2019)

Patrick O'Donovan: I apologise on behalf of the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy McHugh, and the Minister of State who has been unavoidably detained because of the changing schedule of the Dáil. I recognise the matter raised by the Deputy and know that it is common in other constituencies also. I thank him for raising it as it provides me with an opportunity to outline the current position on...

Summer Economic Statement 2019: Statements (25 Jun 2019)

Patrick O'Donovan: I begin by thanking Deputies for their contributions to the discussion on the summer economic statement. The statement published by the Government sets out our commitment to the fundamental principle of steady and sustainable improvements in living standards, underpinned by steady and sustainable revenue streams. It details the economic context and broad budgetary strategy that will...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Procurement Contracts (20 Jun 2019)

Patrick O'Donovan: We are making great strides on public lighting across the country. Deputies will have seen this in the replacement of public street lighting which is now using LEDs which is far more efficient. These are cropping up all over the country. I cannot comment on the specific matters raised by the Deputy earlier. I cannot comment on the hedges because I do not have the details. From her...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Procurement Contracts (20 Jun 2019)

Patrick O'Donovan: I apologise for being a little delayed. I was opening a conference. The Government supports the move towards more green public procurement and recognises that the public service must demonstrate its commitment to sustainable development and use its influence to persuade others of the changes required to reduce our collective impact on the environment. Work to promote the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Procurement Contracts (20 Jun 2019)

Patrick O'Donovan: I can, actually. The concept of social considerations, of which environmental considerations are part, was part of an initiative by our Department some time ago before the recent discussion on the climate change agenda was ramped up with the publication of the action plan on climate change. On foot of a visit to my office by a former Member of the Oireachtas, Ms Kathleen O'Meara, who is...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna (Atógáil) - Commencement Matters (Resumed): Homelessness Strategy (13 Jun 2019)

Patrick O'Donovan: I apologise for the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, on whose behalf I am taking the question. The Minister and his Department consider all the issues raised in the Seanad. Statutory responsibility for the provision of accommodation and related services for homeless households rests with individual housing authorities. The responsibility of housing...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna (Atógáil) - Commencement Matters (Resumed): Homelessness Strategy (13 Jun 2019)

Patrick O'Donovan: I did not reject anything. I did not-----

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna (Atógáil) - Commencement Matters (Resumed): Homelessness Strategy (13 Jun 2019)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Senator should let me finish. I am not a Minister in the Department-----

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna (Atógáil) - Commencement Matters (Resumed): Homelessness Strategy (13 Jun 2019)

Patrick O'Donovan: There is no point in the Senator raising a point if he is not going to listen to the response.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna (Atógáil) - Commencement Matters (Resumed): Homelessness Strategy (13 Jun 2019)

Patrick O'Donovan: Senator Boyhan said Dr. Muldoon will be meeting the Minister. It is appropriate that the Minister consider proposals put forward at an Oireachtas committee. I am not a Minister in the Department so it is not appropriate for me to announce something the Minister probably has not had sight of, in the context of the committee proceedings yesterday. Considering what Senator Boyhan already said...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff Recruitment (21 May 2019)

Patrick O'Donovan: 383. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address matters regarding the appointment of staff (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21568/19]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Railway Stations Upgrade (8 May 2019)

Patrick O'Donovan: 1329. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there are plans by Irish Rail to carry out works on a railway station (details supplied) in County Limerick. [19960/19]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Equipment (16 Apr 2019)

Patrick O'Donovan: 330. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to upgrade the equipment at the radiology department at University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17450/19]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Dental Services (16 Apr 2019)

Patrick O'Donovan: 331. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to extend dental cover to children under six years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17452/19]

Finance (Office of Tax Simplification) Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (11 Apr 2019)

Patrick O'Donovan: It would be useful to consider the proposed Bill in the context of the principles and general concepts that underpin tax policy and legislation. The OECD, in its Fundamental Principles of Taxation, notes that there are a number of broad tax policy considerations that have traditionally guided the development of taxation systems, and these include certainty and simplicity. The OECD explain...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Property Tax (11 Apr 2019)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Minister for Finance initiated a review of the local property tax, LPT, in 2018. The Minister believed it was important the Government was able to make its position clear on LPT in order that households would be aware of plans for the tax well in advance of the November 2019 revaluation date, as well as the associated 2020 and beyond LPT liabilities. The Minister further considered it...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Property Tax (11 Apr 2019)

Patrick O'Donovan: In discussing this we need to be honest. The LPT yields €500 million. Any changes to it will have a knock-on effect. While there could be a suggestion that people might not be aware of the possibility of a deferral, there are many who understand their tax liability and that when a tax is levied it must be paid. Five scenarios were put forward by the review group and their impacts...

An Bille um an Ochtú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Neodracht) 2018 : An Dara Céim [Comhaltaí Príobháideacha] - Thirty-Eighth Amendment of the Constitution (Neutrality) Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (9 Apr 2019)

Patrick O'Donovan: On behalf of the Government, I wish to make the Government’s final contribution to tonight's proceedings. I thank the Members for their contributions to the debate. This is a final opportunity to echo the comments of my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, in categorically emphasising the Government's commitment to Ireland's long-standing and...