Results 521-540 of 11,589 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: -----easy to bring forward and they get covered-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: ------but the hard work is done when it comes to drafting legislation.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: If a Member believes legislation should be introduced to change the law, they should come forward with that legislation. We need to be careful about vilifying grocers. There are a lot of grocers in Ireland that provide a lot of employment to people. Of course, they make profits. It is our job to ensure that their profits are not excessive and that we curtail them. The best way to do that...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Deputy O'Flynn for his question. As the budget approaches, many sectors in society will be anxious to ensure their sector gets taken care of in the budget. As I am sure the Deputy will appreciate, the Government has a limited cake and that amount has to be spread out equitably across the different sectors. Regarding school funding and capitation, since 2020 schools have benefited...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It has been a game-changer for parents of schoolchildren. It has had a considerable role in reducing the pressures on them. I am conscious, as I know the Minister, Deputy McEntee is, that schools can face financial difficulties and that there are further financial burdens placed upon them. The capitation grant has increased, and we hope it will increase again. There are mechanisms through...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: That constitutional obligation on the State is being complied with.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It is being complied with-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: What about the other resources that the Deputy has not mentioned?

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Government has put €200 million into ICT in schools. The minor works programme can be availed of for the purposes of works in schools. The summer works programme, which is very popular, ensures works can be done over a short period of time while schools are out on holiday.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As I stated, the free books scheme has not been mentioned by him. There is the hot meals scheme as well in schools.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: There are huge advantages that have been introduced into the education sector in schools by this Government and its predecessor and they need to be acknowledged by the Deputy. We acknowledge that there are schools that are under financial pressures but there is a mechanism for them to engage with the Department in respect of that. If there are schools that need to engage with the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Deputy is ignoring the great work being done on securing renewable energy in this country. As of last February, 48% of Ireland's power was powered by onshore wind. They are facts the Deputy simply cannot ignore. The Deputy also talked about how we need to ensure there is no LNG plant. We have to provide people in this country with energy security.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It is absolutely essential we have a secure form of energy for them. The Deputy is aware of what is happening as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the consequence of that from a European perspective. We cannot continue to fund President Putin and Europe cannot continue to fund President Putin by purchasing his fossil oil. A huge amount is being done. Minister O'Brien...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Deputy for her question. Her statement that the Government is doing nothing is not in fact correct. The Minister of State who has responsibility for this area and who has been engaging with the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, CCPC, is Minister Dillon, and he met representatives of the CCPC in June and has asked it to conduct an analysis of the Irish grocery...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: They were part of a Government proposal that was sneered at by Sinn Féin at the time. Let us wait to see what the Ministers, Deputies Chambers and Donohoe, and the rest of the Government come up with. I assure the Deputy that the cost-of-living issue will be at the forefront of their consideration and Government consideration.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Every Government TD, and indeed every TD who is not in Sinn Féin, is aware of the pressures that people are under when it comes to the cost of living. The Deputy does not have a monopoly in terms of understanding that. We are fully aware of it. We have introduced measures in the past that the Deputy has acknowledged have ameliorated the cost-of-living pressures on people. She is...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: -----families are at the centre of the budget package that will be introduced 13 days from now. The Deputy spoke about the cost of energy. She also has to be aware of the other measures that have been introduced by the Government to alleviate costs on families. For instance, if we look at the retrofitting that is going on, over €558 million has been allocated for residential and...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: A lot has been done and the Deputy should not ignore it.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I should have pointed out when I was responding to Deputy McDonald that my understanding is that Deputy Barry Heneghan is on that flotilla as well. I extend my best wishes to him. I express my concern and the concern of the wider Government for his safety as well as that of Senator Andrews. Deputy Bacik is being unfair. It is inappropriate to compare the response of the Irish...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as an gceist. On behalf of myself and the Government parties, I would also like to wish Julie Lyons all the best in her retirement. I thank her for the excellent service she has provided to Members over 34 years. There is an expression in politics: "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen." That certainly never applied to Julie. She...