Results 441-460 of 3,112 for speaker:James O'Connor

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Waterways Ireland (4 Jul 2024)

James O'Connor: What are these claims in respect of? Are they related to accidents? Are they related to injuries that occurred along the canals? Please give an insight into why the number of claims is such a large figure.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Waterways Ireland (4 Jul 2024)

James O'Connor: How much does that cost?

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Waterways Ireland (4 Jul 2024)

James O'Connor: Yes. That is an incredible amount.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Waterways Ireland (4 Jul 2024)

James O'Connor: Yes.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Waterways Ireland (4 Jul 2024)

James O'Connor: Yes, I understand. What has Waterways Ireland done to mitigating the risk again claims?

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Waterways Ireland (4 Jul 2024)

James O'Connor: I want to discuss houseboats and the significant increase in fees to berth around the Grand Canal Dock area. On the one hand, we are looking at an organisation that is running a deficit. On the other hand, we have residents involved and people who are passionate about what they do. Looking at what has been proposed, there has been an increase of €578 annually which increases the fee...

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Waterways Ireland (4 Jul 2024)

James O'Connor: On the point made about affordability being a key consideration, Waterways Ireland has been accused of increasing the fees by approximately 700%.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Waterways Ireland (4 Jul 2024)

James O'Connor: I know, and I appreciate Mr. McDonagh’s point on governance. Governance is important and a key part of any organisation. Those affected are looking at the €5 million jump in staffing costs over a 12-month period and a significant jump in the liabilities that have to be paid out. In fairness, accidents happen and claims are made. Unfortunately, we know there is a cultural...

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Waterways Ireland (4 Jul 2024)

James O'Connor: Waterways Ireland was not contacted in any way by officials from the Minister, Deputy O’Gorman’s Department or his office, including advisers? No one made direct contact with Waterways Ireland.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Waterways Ireland (4 Jul 2024)

James O'Connor: When did Waterways Ireland reach its decision? What was the process involved? Who did Waterways Ireland consult on the erecting of the fencing?

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Waterways Ireland (4 Jul 2024)

James O'Connor: That decision came entirely from Waterways Ireland.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Waterways Ireland (4 Jul 2024)

James O'Connor: No request was made by the Government.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Waterways Ireland (4 Jul 2024)

James O'Connor: It is extraordinary that the Minister, Deputy O’Gorman, did not make contact with Waterways Ireland.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Waterways Ireland (4 Jul 2024)

James O'Connor: About the canals.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Waterways Ireland (4 Jul 2024)

James O'Connor: Are all of the witnesses absolutely sure of that?

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Waterways Ireland (4 Jul 2024)

James O'Connor: That is astonishing, although I am not giving out to the witnesses about it. I am based in Ranelagh in Dublin, and I regularly walk along the canals. It is fair to say that it is a hideous eyesore in terms of what has happened. There is the question of balance in that if we remove them, do we have a situation where a huge encampment of tents arises again? Waterways Ireland made the...

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Waterways Ireland (4 Jul 2024)

James O'Connor: The question I asked, and this is important, was about whether Waterways Ireland had a conversation with the individuals-----

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Waterways Ireland (4 Jul 2024)

James O'Connor: -----who were handing out tents.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Waterways Ireland (4 Jul 2024)

James O'Connor: Were they asked to stop?

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Waterways Ireland (4 Jul 2024)

James O'Connor: There is an awful lot in this, and my time is coming to an end. I will come back in this matter in the second round of questioning. What does Mr. McDonagh see the medium-term plan being there? Is Waterways Ireland going to leave the fencing in place or is it intended to remove it, particularly now that we are in the midst of summer? Is it too high a risk to remove the fencing?