Results 5,301-5,320 of 10,791 for speaker:Matt Carthy

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (30 Jun 2022)

Matt Carthy: That is an allocation for this year to allow it proceed to the next phase.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (30 Jun 2022)

Matt Carthy: In the overall context of the TII budget, it was fairly small. It was required to go through the next planning phase for the road to progress.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (30 Jun 2022)

Matt Carthy: I propose that we ask TII if its original proposal for the 2022 allocation included this road.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (30 Jun 2022)

Matt Carthy: I agree with that from an environmental-----

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (30 Jun 2022)

Matt Carthy: From an environmental point of view, it is nonsensical in that it involves not only HGVs but every user of the road. I know it is also a particular issue for buses. Having to stop unnecessarily in both directions in the middle of an open motorway never mind the Dublin Port Tunnel adds considerable costs, which, of course, are passed on to the consumer so I fully support Deputy Verona Murphy.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (30 Jun 2022)

Matt Carthy: It would be better if we got rid of tolls altogether.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (30 Jun 2022)

Matt Carthy: A number of committees need to look at this issue. From the perspective of the Committee of Public Accounts, there is a value-for-money issue here. The international evidence is clear: without grant support, electric vehicles will not be purchased to a great degree. When Denmark started to withdraw grants, the sales immediately dropped. It is a given. We need to see increased use of EVs...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (30 Jun 2022)

Matt Carthy: I support Deputy Catherine Murphy's proposal in respect of the Secretary General of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. I get the Deputy Murphy eile's point about the review that is ongoing. Notwithstanding that, I recently took the opportunity to read back over the transcript of our last hearing with An Bord Pleanála and I recall, even as far back as my time as a...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (30 Jun 2022)

Matt Carthy: I know we have much in our work programme, but something we mentioned today has been useful. In respect of health matters, we should be more specific than the previous practice of just bringing in representatives of the HSE and the Department of Health for a general discussion. It would be useful to have the type of engagement we had in respect of mental health or accident and emergency...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (30 Jun 2022)

Matt Carthy: Absolutely.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (30 Jun 2022)

Matt Carthy: I am sure the ambulance service could be tied into the emergency departments and their management.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (30 Jun 2022)

Matt Carthy: They are connected.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (30 Jun 2022)

Matt Carthy: We should ask the Secretary General, as the Accounting Officer, to come in.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (30 Jun 2022)

Matt Carthy: It is part of the role to account to the Committee of Public Accounts.

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 27 - International Co-operation
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (30 Jun 2022)

Matt Carthy: I welcome our guests. We send our best wishes to the Secretary General and hope he makes a full recovery. Will Mr. Conlon give an update as to when the Department expects to make a recommendation to Government for a new special envoy to the UN for freedom of opinion and expression?

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 27 - International Co-operation
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (30 Jun 2022)

Matt Carthy: I heard Mr. Conlon outlining the new process earlier. This time last year the Department told us this was an incredibly important position for Ireland and our international reputation. Is Mr. Conlon saying there are no current plans to make a recommendation?

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 27 - International Co-operation
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (30 Jun 2022)

Matt Carthy: Thanks for that. I will talk about services, particularly passport services, but I believe the consular services offered by the Department of Foreign Affairs are among the best that any Department provides. I have had to engage with them on various occasions, always in a panic on behalf of somebody and have never had a complaint about them.

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 27 - International Co-operation
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (30 Jun 2022)

Matt Carthy: On passports, I agree with what others have said. When the online passport works, it works incredibly well. I renewed my passport online when I realised it was almost two years out of date. Probably because I am aware of it from dealing with so many people, it was done within a couple of days. When it does not work, it can cause huge difficulties. Ms Byrne mentioned the public offices...

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 27 - International Co-operation
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (30 Jun 2022)

Matt Carthy: What is Mr Conlon's definition of "imminent travel"?

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 27 - International Co-operation
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (30 Jun 2022)

Matt Carthy: Before Ms Byrne comes in, the difficulty is you are on the website, have put in the details for an appointment and the next appointment you can get for a four-day turnaround service is 14 July. I would like clarification if weekends are included in that four-day turnaround. If they are, you would receive the passport on 18 July. That is not imminent. If you want to make an appointment for...