Results 4,801-4,820 of 5,104 for speaker:Mairéad Farrell

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Prevention Measures (17 Nov 2020)

Mairéad Farrell: I know the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan, is aware of the flooding in Clifden at the beginning of September and the very serious impact it has had on the people of Clifden. I am seeking a statement on the plans for a flood defence programme in Clifden.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Development Plan (17 Nov 2020)

Mairéad Farrell: 87. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the measures that will be taken by the review to renew the national development plan, which will look to incorporate an independent peer review at two key points in the life of a contact worth over €10 million in order to ensure that successful tender bids are coming in on cost. [36712/20]

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Development Plan (17 Nov 2020)

Mairéad Farrell: The Aire recently launched the Review to Renew consultation on the national development plan, NDP. I understand that this will incorporate an independent peer review at two key points in the life of a contract worth over €10 million, to ensure successful tender bids are coming in on cost. As cost overruns have been something of a problem in large public procurement contracts, can the...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Development Plan (17 Nov 2020)

Mairéad Farrell: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. That is interesting. Getting value for money is very important in the area of public procurement. We often hear talk of the supposed cost efficiencies of the market relative to the public sector, yet many of the large cost overruns come from large public procurement capital projects. The national children's hospital is a noteworthy example but 35 out of...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Development Plan (17 Nov 2020)

Mairéad Farrell: Again, that is interesting and I would like to get more information on it so perhaps the Minister can send that on to me. How will the independent peer review process itself, and the Government's interaction with it, be decided? As the Minister has stated it could involve people from different countries and so on, how will the make-up of the independent peer review be decided? Where will...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Lobbying Regulation (17 Nov 2020)

Mairéad Farrell: As I mentioned, since I have been elected - but I am not saying that the two things coincide - we have seen public confidence damaged by the events surrounding golfgate, the case of a former Minister and with the recent leaking of a confidential document. All of these instances have had a real impact on public confidence in politics. I am glad to hear that the Minister is genuinely...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Lobbying Regulation (17 Nov 2020)

Mairéad Farrell: 89. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the further measures being planned in terms of amendments to the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 in view of his recent statement that he was planning fines and criminal sanctions for Deputies and Ministers that breach the cooling off period and become lobbyists shortly after leaving political life. [36719/20]

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Lobbying Regulation (17 Nov 2020)

Mairéad Farrell: As Deputy Nash mentioned, there were reports recently that the Minister is planning on working on legislation relevant to this situation, and that he is planning on having fines and criminal sanctions for Ministers and Deputies who would breach this legislation and become lobbyists shortly after leaving political life. What other measures are being considered in respect of amendments to the...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Lobbying Regulation (17 Nov 2020)

Mairéad Farrell: The Minister will be aware that his predecessor conducted two reviews in respect of the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 and found that no changes needed to be made, despite SIPO raising 22 amendments in 2016 and 2019. SIPO clearly stated earlier this year that it was deeply disappointed by this and that it needs greater enforcement powers. I welcome that the Minister mentioned these powers....

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Sector Pay (17 Nov 2020)

Mairéad Farrell: 85. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the negotiations for a new public service stability agreement, PSSA; the date formal negotiations took place; and the expected date for their completion. [36717/20]

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Sector Pay (17 Nov 2020)

Mairéad Farrell: The PSSA, the current public sector pay deal, is due to run out at the end of this year. I have raised concerns with the Minister previously about what appears to be a lack of progress on a new deal. This must be prioritised by the Minister and the Government. Will the Minister advise what the status of these negotiations is, the date on which formal negotiations took place and the...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Sector Pay (17 Nov 2020)

Mairéad Farrell: I completely agree with the Minister. It is extremely important for both sides that we have a deal of this nature because it will provide stability in the delivery of public services in the first instance. Of equal importance is that it will provide a level of justice for workers. Public sector workers have been a significant part of the front-line workforce during this pandemic, as we...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Sector Pay (17 Nov 2020)

Mairéad Farrell: I hear the Minister referring to "an economic reality" but the State is the employer in this instance and it is important that it gives some security to these workers. I would also be concerned if a deal is reached at the eleventh hour because we know that such a deal needs to be debated and voted on by all the public sector workers across this State. This is a lengthy process in normal...

Written Answers — Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment: Data Centres (17 Nov 2020)

Mairéad Farrell: 165. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment the number of data centres by county; and the average monthly and yearly power usage in tabular form. [36680/20]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Development Plan (17 Nov 2020)

Mairéad Farrell: 248. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the review and renew of the national development plan relating to the way in which consideration will be given to a high speed rail network for Belfast, Dublin, Cork and Limerick in the national development plan will be extended to other counties such as Galway. [36713/20]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Procurement Contracts (17 Nov 2020)

Mairéad Farrell: 300. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a list of Departments, commercial and non-commercial State bodies and private entities that are subsidised by 50% or more with public funding, and which have implemented social clauses in public procurement contracts, will be provided in tabular form. [36525/20]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works (17 Nov 2020)

Mairéad Farrell: 304. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the properties which are vacant and are either owned or being rented by the Office of Public Works by county; the amount of rent paid to date on those vacant rented properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36777/20]

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2020: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Nov 2020)

Mairéad Farrell: I was looking at the timeline for today, and I was wondering at what point we were going to speak on section 21, and its amendments, but it seems that the Chair is stating that we will do that from the start.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2020: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Nov 2020)

Mairéad Farrell: Then we will move back to section 10?

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2020: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Nov 2020)

Mairéad Farrell: Thanks. I recognise the work that was undertaken by the staff of the committee yesterday in organising an excellent day. I thank them and everybody who is supporting us in the operation of the ICT. I will now deal with the amendment. The trading profits of companies in Ireland are generally taxed at the standard corporation tax rate of 12.5%. Some of the main features of the current...