Results 4,381-4,400 of 7,126 for speaker:Alan Farrell

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Tackling Childhood Obesity: Discussion (Resumed) (27 Jun 2018)

Alan Farrell: I agree with what Dr. May said about bikes. It is bizarre that bikes were banned from public parks in Fingal until recently. In one case, it was only when we exerted some pressure that we managed to get the local authority to accept that the park could be used as a cycle route by kids going to school. I refer to a park that is used by kids going from one side of Malahide to a secondary...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Tackling Childhood Obesity: Discussion (Resumed) (27 Jun 2018)

Alan Farrell: Could Dr. Foley-Nolan provide that research to the committee?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Tackling Childhood Obesity: Discussion (Resumed) (27 Jun 2018)

Alan Farrell: That would be very helpful. I thank Dr. Foley-Nolan. I would like to ask Mr. Conlon and Ms Harrington about their professional experience of breakfast clubs. I know there is a difference between facilitating schools and funding schools. When we are delivering certain programmes to individuals and to entire schools to address disadvantage, we do not necessarily look at schools that might...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Tackling Childhood Obesity: Discussion (Resumed) (27 Jun 2018)

Alan Farrell: It is probably a matter for the Department of Education and Skills rather than the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Tackling Childhood Obesity: Discussion (Resumed) (27 Jun 2018)

Alan Farrell: The programme opens the door for the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, but the widening of that programme is a matter for the Department of Education and Skills.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Tackling Childhood Obesity: Discussion (Resumed) (27 Jun 2018)

Alan Farrell: I have a final question and an observation. During recent meetings of this committee, we have been very fortunate to hear from some pretty dedicated people about what they are trying to do within their fields of expertise. As far as I can see, the Super Troopers programme has had an impact. The numbers certainly look quite extraordinary. Are all the witnesses aware of that programme?...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Tackling Childhood Obesity: Discussion (Resumed) (27 Jun 2018)

Alan Farrell: Okay.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Tackling Childhood Obesity: Discussion (Resumed) (27 Jun 2018)

Alan Farrell: Yes. It is based on charts.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Tackling Childhood Obesity: Discussion (Resumed) (27 Jun 2018)

Alan Farrell: Okay.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Tackling Childhood Obesity: Discussion (Resumed) (27 Jun 2018)

Alan Farrell: That is fine. I thought that following on from our meeting with those involved, I would try to elicit another view. I have not seen it yet as a parent. I expect I will see it soon.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Tackling Childhood Obesity: Discussion (Resumed) (27 Jun 2018)

Alan Farrell: I am a policymaker, but it only came across my desk a few weeks ago. My final question is for Mr. Treacy of Sport Ireland. We have been talking around the issue of participation in sport, primarily field sports or team sports. I refer to the age at which one participates after which that competitive element is introduced as the norm. As a competitive sportsman and as somebody with a huge...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Tackling Childhood Obesity: Discussion (Resumed) (27 Jun 2018)

Alan Farrell: To be on the team.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Tackling Childhood Obesity: Discussion (Resumed) (27 Jun 2018)

Alan Farrell: I thank the witnesses for their attendance and for answering members questions so comprehensively.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (26 Jun 2018)

Alan Farrell: 85. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the waiting times for passport applications; the action he is taking to reduce waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27651/18]

Written Answers — Department of Health: HIV-AIDS Programmes (26 Jun 2018)

Alan Farrell: 362. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the HSE review of the medication PrEP; when he expects this review to be concluded; the action he plans to take to introduce a PrEP programme under the HSE; the action he plans to take to work to reduce HIV rates here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27652/18]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sport Ireland Remit (26 Jun 2018)

Alan Farrell: 485. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the action he has taken or plans to take with regard to engagement with youth and voluntary sports groups to encourage such bodies to reduce focus on the competitive aspects of sport at young ages and instead promote the participation of all young persons that who wish to become involved in sporting activities and have the opportunity...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Home Loan Scheme (26 Jun 2018)

Alan Farrell: 591. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the action he plans to take in circumstances in which individuals have been refused a loan under the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme due to the fact that they were marginally over the threshold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27648/18]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Home Loan Scheme (26 Jun 2018)

Alan Farrell: 592. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the timeframe for the publication of the review of the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27649/18]

Public Accounts Committee: 2016 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Chapter 14 - Control of Ireland's Bilateral Assistance Programme
Vote 27 - International Co-operation
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (21 Jun 2018)

Alan Farrell: I welcome the witnesses. I acknowledge the extraordinary work done by personnel in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, with many of whom I have had the privilege of dealing in the past few months on passport applications. I have no complaints about the manner in which they carry out their duties. I also recognise with some appreciation Mr. Burgess's reference to the launch of the...

Public Accounts Committee: 2016 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Chapter 14 - Control of Ireland's Bilateral Assistance Programme
Vote 27 - International Co-operation
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (21 Jun 2018)

Alan Farrell: I agree that the percentage is a drop in the ocean. The programme first came to my attention as a new Member of the House in 2011. Shortly thereafter there was the incident in Uganda, which clearly was of concern. Broadly, it is a tiny amount in the context of a figure of €724 million.