Results 4,901-4,920 of 9,148 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: General Scheme of the Higher Education Authority Bill 2021: Discussion (6 Jul 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the witnesses for coming in this afternoon. I want to raise an issue, which I do not believe has been raised, which is the content of the general scheme of the Bill that deals with students. Our guests will be aware that it is dealt with in Part 4, with three specific sections dealing with students that provide for engagement with students, the student form and the student survey....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: General Scheme of the Higher Education Authority Bill 2021: Discussion (6 Jul 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: Another point essential to third level educational institutions is the promotion of research in higher education. I believe it was Dr. Ryan who stated that there is very little detail given on how the Higher Education Authority, HEA, should promote research in higher education. What is the panel's view of the function of the HEA in trying to promote research and does the Bill refer to that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: General Scheme of the Higher Education Authority Bill 2021: Discussion (6 Jul 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: I will conclude by agreeing with Councillor Hoade. Sometimes there is an assumption that people who end up on boards as a result of being elected to a local authority or being a public representative, somehow may lack competencies. Having been a member of a local authority and having served on boards, it is my experience that members of local authorities can bring much broader ranges of...

Workplace Relations (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021: Second Stage (2 Jul 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Minister of State for bringing forward this legislation. We all know the reason we are here is because of the recent Supreme Court decision in the Zalewski case. It was probably one of the most important decisions given by the Supreme Court this century and has resulted in this legislation coming before the House. I am conscious that my colleagues in the House know the facts of...

Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021: Second Stage (30 Jun 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this legislation. I commend the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, on bringing forward the Bill. Many individuals thought that by An Garda Síochána exercising its discretion, we could overcome the problems that have been outlined in this legislation. It is preferable, however, to have certainty in the issue. When a publican or a restaurant is...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic Offences (30 Jun 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: 61. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there are proposals to set up a portal for video evidence of traffic violations that would be available to gardaí; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35154/21]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Proposed Legislation (30 Jun 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: 288. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address issues relating to assisted human reproduction (details supplied). [28207/21]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: General Banking Matters: AIB (30 Jun 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the employees of AIB for attending. I have to ask Dr. Hunt about the point that was raised by Deputy Doherty in respect of the tracker redress scheme. The decision of the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman, FSPO, required AIB to write down the value of the mortgage by 12% of the balance due when the fixed rate ended, as well as to pay interest charged on the write-down since...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: General Banking Matters: AIB (30 Jun 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: I take it from that that AIB applied it on the basis of simple interest, in communication with the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman, which confirmed that simple interest was appropriate.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: General Banking Matters: AIB (30 Jun 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: I return to Dr. Hunt on the question of cash-back mortgages. He will be aware that cash-back mortgages are used by some lenders. It appears that the interest rate charged is higher on cash-back mortgages. Let us look at this in terms of the two entities over which Dr. Hunt has some responsibility. In EBS, the lowest three-year fixed rate with cash-back is 2.9%. However, in AIB it is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: General Banking Matters: AIB (30 Jun 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: Before Dr. Hunt hands over to Mr. O’Keeffe, I will ask the question more specifically for Mr. O’Keeffe. Why is it that the interest rate charged for cash-back mortgages is significantly higher than mortgages that do not offer cash-back?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: General Banking Matters: AIB (30 Jun 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: I ask Mr. O'Keeffe on that point, does the inclusion of cash-back in these products necessarily mean that the mortgage interest rate is going to be higher than it would be if there were no cash-back?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: General Banking Matters: AIB (30 Jun 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: I have a final question for Dr. Hunt. I am conscious that my other colleagues want to get in. Obviously, it is not AIB’s business to try to encourage its competitors. However, it is in the interest of the Oireachtas to try to ensure that the Irish banking sector is more competitive. That is particularly so in recent times, since we have lost Ulster Bank and other financial...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: General Banking Matters: AIB (30 Jun 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Dr. Hunt.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Traveller Education: Discussion (29 Jun 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Mr. Joyce, Ms Reilly and Ms Joyce for coming in to the committee today. I extend my congratulations to Ms Reilly on her very important achievement on securing a first class honours degree. Mr. Joyce spoke on the national Traveller education strategy. We all know we need one. What would he like to see in that strategy in order that Irish Travellers can benefit fully from the Irish...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Traveller Education: Discussion (29 Jun 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: In her opening statement, Ms Joyce said there needed to be systematic change introduced through the national Traveller education strategy. Is there anything she would add to what Mr. Joyce said that she would like to see as a priority?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Traveller Education: Discussion (29 Jun 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Ms Joyce. I printed off the recommendations from that committee. I assume I am correct in stating that the last thing she wants is just another glossy publication, which sets out goals that are not implemented.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Traveller Education: Discussion (29 Jun 2021)

Jim O'Callaghan: Ms Reilly's statement emphasised the impact that the restrictions and the closure of schools had on Traveller children. A lot of research has been done around the world on the impact that depriving children of education had on them. Can I ask Ms Reilly to once again emphasise the detrimental impact that she says the restrictions and the closure of education facilities had on Traveller children?