Results 5,201-5,220 of 5,902 for speaker:James Lawless

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Affordable Childcare Scheme Eligibility (4 Oct 2017)

James Lawless: 208. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will review the workings of the affordable child care scheme to allow for full crèche entitlement (details supplied) for those attending on non-consecutive days; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42002/17]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2017 and Retransmission Fees: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Oct 2017)

James Lawless: I realise we are under pressure for time. I wish to make a number of points. Some of them may be related and some may not, but I will try to cover them as quickly as possible. The scenario today reminds me a little of a court, when the prosecution has made its case over the course of the day. The pendulum swings and there is another day for the defence. We have had that. It is in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2017 and Retransmission Fees: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Oct 2017)

James Lawless: I thank all the witnesses. It has been a very useful session and we have had a very useful dialogue. I particularly thank Mr. Wheeldon for his reply to the points which I raised. That was important. Mr. Hanway mentioned Oireachtas TV, which Virgin Media must take credit for. I commend that. We often get feedback that people watch it at all kinds of different hours of the day, but it is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2017 and Retransmission Fees: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Oct 2017)

James Lawless: It is a good service and I thank Mr. Hanway for that.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (3 Oct 2017)

James Lawless: 216. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the steps he has taken to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; the timeframe for ratification of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41295/17]

Questions on Promised Legislation (27 Sep 2017)

James Lawless: The programme for Government refers to partnership and democracy and engagement across key groups such as the public, media and other stakeholders. It sets out such lofty goals as greater accountability, reform of freedom of information legislation and more open governance. I raised previously the practice of Government agencies and Departments of corresponding in hard copy rather than in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Business of Joint Committee (27 Sep 2017)

James Lawless: As we have a quorum and the Minister present, I will call the meeting to order. I shall chair today's meeting as Vice Chairman. Apologies have been received from the Chairman, Deputy Hildegarde Naughton, and Senator Joe O'Reilly. I remind members to either turn off their mobile phones or switch them to flight mode. This is because they interfere with the sound system and can make...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 29 - Communications, Climate Action and Environment (27 Sep 2017)

James Lawless: I welcome everyone present. This is the second annual mid-year review meeting of the joint committee covering Vote 29 - Communications, Climate Action and Environment. We are conducting a mid-year review of the Estimates. The OECD report, Review of budget oversight by parliament: Ireland, for 2016 sets out a roadmap for enhanced parliamentary scrutiny of spending by Departments throughout...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 29 - Communications, Climate Action and Environment (27 Sep 2017)

James Lawless: Can we have copies?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 29 - Communications, Climate Action and Environment (27 Sep 2017)

James Lawless: Before we start discussing programme A, have members been given copies of the Minister's remarks? No. Can such a provision be organised?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 29 - Communications, Climate Action and Environment (27 Sep 2017)

James Lawless: Copies are on the way.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 29 - Communications, Climate Action and Environment (27 Sep 2017)

James Lawless: I have a copy of the presentation, which is useful. The matter is in hand. The officials have indicated that copies will be supplied. I propose that we start with programme A, which deals with communications. I invite the Minister to make a brief opening statement on programme A.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 29 - Communications, Climate Action and Environment (27 Sep 2017)

James Lawless: I thank the Minister.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 29 - Communications, Climate Action and Environment (27 Sep 2017)

James Lawless: I thank the Minister. Beginning on a very positive note, I note that he referred to the trading online voucher scheme, with which a number of members have expressed satisfaction. I have seen it in action myself. What proportion of the mid-year figure has been spent on the national broadband plan to date?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 29 - Communications, Climate Action and Environment (27 Sep 2017)

James Lawless: I am going to dig into that a little bit to understand it fully. Some €7 million has been spent on the national broadband plan procurement operation and management thereof to date. That is from an estimate of €15 million, so it is about halfway there. It seems to be on track. Is the Minister satisfied with the progress on the national broadband plan to date?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 29 - Communications, Climate Action and Environment (27 Sep 2017)

James Lawless: Deputy Dooley can speak again when the Minister concludes his statement.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 29 - Communications, Climate Action and Environment (27 Sep 2017)

James Lawless: I am conscious of the time.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 29 - Communications, Climate Action and Environment (27 Sep 2017)

James Lawless: Thank you for that clarification. I remind members and the Minister that we are under pressure for time this morning.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 29 - Communications, Climate Action and Environment (27 Sep 2017)

James Lawless: I will have to ask the Minister to pause. Deputy Dooley can make a brief clarification.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 29 - Communications, Climate Action and Environment (27 Sep 2017)

James Lawless: Thank you, Deputy. The point is clear. The Minister can make a brief reply and then I will call on the other members.