Results 5,001-5,020 of 5,932 for speaker:Eugene Murphy

Confidence in Government: Motion (15 Feb 2017)

Eugene Murphy: I can be of some help to the Ceann Comhairle.

Confidence in Government: Motion (15 Feb 2017)

Eugene Murphy: I will cut the length of my speech a little such that a few minutes will suffice.

Confidence in Government: Motion (15 Feb 2017)

Eugene Murphy: As a new Deputy, I never thought I would see such a crisis just one year into my time in the House. Like many other Deputies, I have been shocked by the goings-on and the allegations and revelations in recent times.

Confidence in Government: Motion (15 Feb 2017)

Eugene Murphy: The integrity of State agencies-----

Confidence in Government: Motion (15 Feb 2017)

Eugene Murphy: By the way, every Minister has been rolled out this evening to tell us about the importance of keeping the Government together-----

Confidence in Government: Motion (15 Feb 2017)

Eugene Murphy: -----in terms of broadband provision, job creation and finance, but I want to say one thing to them.

Confidence in Government: Motion (15 Feb 2017)

Eugene Murphy: That is fine, but if the people lose faith in the agencies of the State-----

Confidence in Government: Motion (15 Feb 2017)

Eugene Murphy: -----that is a serious crisis for every one of us. When Deputies interrupt, I ask them to remember that this is a very serious issue. That is what members of the public have been saying tonight and in recent times. The people are losing belief in State agencies. There is the issue with Tusla. I note that throughout the crisis the Minister, Deputy Katherine Zappone, has not been in the...

Confidence in Government: Motion (15 Feb 2017)

Eugene Murphy: There are serious questions to be asked and everyone has to acknowledge that there are serious questions to be answered.

Confidence in Government: Motion (15 Feb 2017)

Eugene Murphy: Let us be honest. Serious questions about Tusla have to be answered. We all welcomed and acknowledged the importance of Tusla when it was set up. We know the important job it does, but now there are serious matters that have to be referred to and dealt with. Do I think the Taoiseach is dishonest? No, I do not. Do I think the Tánaiste is dishonest? No, I do not. By the way, I...

Confidence in Government: Motion (15 Feb 2017)

Eugene Murphy: This party has made a major contribution to the pensions Bill, the flood Bill and other legislation and ensured the Fine Gael-Independents Government has taken on board our policies. We must ensure stability. That is what the electorate of Roscommon-Galway and throughout the country is saying to me. People want stability, but they also want to be able to believe in the agencies of the State.

Confidence in Government: Motion (15 Feb 2017)

Eugene Murphy: She has been missing-----

Confidence in Government: Motion (15 Feb 2017)

Eugene Murphy: They are.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 13 - Office of Public Works (Revised) (15 Feb 2017)

Eugene Murphy: Some people might agree to that.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 13 - Office of Public Works (Revised) (15 Feb 2017)

Eugene Murphy: I am substituting for Deputy Michael McGrath. I will not call myself a super-sub but I hope I can engage in a positive manner. I welcome the Minister of State and his officials, particularly Mr. Buckley who is a constituent of mine. In the past he has been a champion of creating jobs and a great advocate for creating employment in some of the forgotten counties such as Roscommon. I wish...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 13 - Office of Public Works (Revised) (15 Feb 2017)

Eugene Murphy: It was a carryover.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 13 - Office of Public Works (Revised) (15 Feb 2017)

Eugene Murphy: That is fine. There also appears to be a substantial reduction in the level of funding provided to local authorities for minor works. Again, I will refer to a three year framework, namely, 2014, 2015 and 2016. If we look at 2014, the allocation was €9 million. In 2015, it was €16 million. However, according to the figures I have, in 2016 it was down to €3 million....

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 13 - Office of Public Works (Revised) (15 Feb 2017)

Eugene Murphy: Would the Minister and his officials consider the possibility of broadening the minor works scheme? I think it is accepted that local authorities could solve many of those problems in the short term rather than having to go through the OPW with every project. Would it not be a good thing to consider the possibility of broadening the minor works scheme?

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 13 - Office of Public Works (Revised) (15 Feb 2017)

Eugene Murphy: Absolutely.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 13 - Office of Public Works (Revised) (15 Feb 2017)

Eugene Murphy: That is good news, which I welcome. Coming from Galway and having visited the Roscommon area, the Minister of State knows how badly we were hit and that we are still suffering the consequences of the last storm. Has the Minister of State specific road budgets within his Department or is it all with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport?