Results 5,461-5,480 of 7,789 for speaker:Michael Fitzmaurice

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development: Western Development Commission: Chairperson-Designate (27 Jun 2018)

Michael Fitzmaurice: No. There are towns in west that need gas. Is the commission making an input on that issue?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development: Western Development Commission: Chairperson-Designate (27 Jun 2018)

Michael Fitzmaurice: It is critical, but it is not in the plan. How can we do something?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development: Western Development Commission: Chairperson-Designate (27 Jun 2018)

Michael Fitzmaurice: Does that mean the Department was not listening?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development: Western Development Commission: Chairperson-Designate (27 Jun 2018)

Michael Fitzmaurice: The WDC made a submission, as did probably every Member present. Does that mean the Department was not listening to us? We can make all the submissions in the world, but are we not being listened to?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development: Western Development Commission: Chairperson-Designate (27 Jun 2018)

Michael Fitzmaurice: I thank Mr. Brannigan.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Young Farmers Scheme Eligibility (26 Jun 2018)

Michael Fitzmaurice: 98. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to change the age at which a person is deemed to qualify under the Revenue Commissioners terms as a young farmer; if the upper age of a young farmer for same will be brought in line with the upper age for grants, that is, 40 years of age; if so, when the change will come into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27387/18]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (26 Jun 2018)

Michael Fitzmaurice: 228. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when a decision will be made regarding an application for naturalisation by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27372/18]

Childcare Support Bill 2017: From the Seanad (20 Jun 2018)

Michael Fitzmaurice: A quorum should be called.

Summer Economic Statement 2018: Statements (20 Jun 2018)

Michael Fitzmaurice: I welcome the opportunity to speak. When one looks at the summer statements, one would think that everything was rosy in the garden, with the figures that are involved, especially for the next budget. One would imagine it would solve many problems. When one drills down into it and looks at the Ireland of today, we still have a major problem in our health system. I am not just saying that...

Topical Issue Debate: Community Development Initiatives (20 Jun 2018)

Michael Fitzmaurice: With all due respect, whoever wrote that reply did not even look at what we were talking about. We are talking about small villages and towns. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív provided the Minister of State with statistics for the numbers of positions which remain unfilled nationally. We are not worried about all of the things that civil servant, or whoever it was, wrote that long...

Topical Issue Debate: Community Development Initiatives (20 Jun 2018)

Michael Fitzmaurice: In recent years the Tidy Towns has put in Trojan work in making villages and, indeed, Ireland look a better place, especially for tourists. I know more people are back at work throughout the country, which is welcome. We have to bear in mind, however, that those communities voluntarily put in a massive effort, week in, week out, to keep their village or town in pristine condition. The aid...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development: Rural Transport Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Jun 2018)

Michael Fitzmaurice: The witnesses may write down some of the things I will be asking because I would like direct answers. Why does Bus Éireann not outline on its tender documents, for any size bus on any route, that each year it will be subject to the number of people who will be travelling on it? Why has Bus Éireann not got a system that in May or June, the numbers of people who are eligible or...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development: Rural Transport Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Jun 2018)

Michael Fitzmaurice: If one looks at services, obviously that means services for people to commute from A, B and C. I want to nail this because Irish Rail was very straightforward in its answer to my question at the last meeting. I refer to the line that is closed, to which the rail review does not refer. As part of the next ten year programme, does the NTA envisage any plans for that line to be reopened as...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development: Rural Transport Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Jun 2018)

Michael Fitzmaurice: What is the NTA's view?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development: Rural Transport Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Jun 2018)

Michael Fitzmaurice: The NTA has not been asked to do so.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development: Rural Transport Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Jun 2018)

Michael Fitzmaurice: Am I correct that the cost of this light rail is envisaged at €3.5 billion to €4 billion and that it is ten or 15 years away?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development: Rural Transport Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Jun 2018)

Michael Fitzmaurice: The NTA will have it built by 2027.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development: Rural Transport Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Jun 2018)

Michael Fitzmaurice: Ms Graham missed the question on Local Link.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development: Rural Transport Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Jun 2018)

Michael Fitzmaurice: We are talking about equality. We are talking about the number of people living in rural parts of Ireland receiving the same treatment in the budget. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív has the figures and pointed out that it is a pittance. Would it be fair to say it is 25%?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development: Rural Transport Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Jun 2018)

Michael Fitzmaurice: Anyone who has been involved in business knows that things might be on the floor when one starts. A service could start badly, but the better it will become the more it is used. We are talking a great game about reducing the number of cars on the road and saying we will have everything hunky-dory and a beautiful country, but, at the same time, we are not giving people an opportunity. We...