Results 6,221-6,240 of 13,254 for speaker:Seán Sherlock

Climate Change: Statements (6 Dec 2018)

Seán Sherlock: I find this disconcerting. Minister of State after Minister of State is rolling in here, giving us a five-minute statement, going through the motions and then walking out again. This is one of the greatest crises that we have faced nationally and globally in generations. More respect should be given to the issue at hand in the first instance.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Third Report of the Citizens' Assembly: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Dec 2018)

Seán Sherlock: I welcome the Minister. He has been very open and engaging. I perceive from him a sense of energy regarding what needs to be done here. With that in mind, is the all-of-government approach modelled on a Cabinet subcommittee whereby all the line Departments will report directly to the Taoiseach via the Minister's Department?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Third Report of the Citizens' Assembly: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Dec 2018)

Seán Sherlock: My view, bearing in mind that I was involved in the action plan for jobs with the Minister, is that having clear metrics to be measured and clear targets is the only way to reach milestones. We now need to start reaching serious milestones. If it is perceived that the mechanism in question is one by which people turn up without identifiable actions, right down to the micro level, it might fail.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Third Report of the Citizens' Assembly: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Dec 2018)

Seán Sherlock: May I ask about carbon budgeting as a tool? The Minister spoke highly of the intervention of the Secretary General of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Mr. Watt. Is is envisaged that carbon budgeting will be used as a tool by line Departments to ensure a decarbonisation agenda? Representatives of the IPCC who were before the committee spoke about the successful application...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Third Report of the Citizens' Assembly: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Dec 2018)

Seán Sherlock: Do we have a timeline for those? Perhaps the Minister could report back even if he does not have one now.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Third Report of the Citizens' Assembly: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Dec 2018)

Seán Sherlock: If we are to reflect accurately the recommendations of the Citizens' Assembly in producing our own report, carbon budgeting will be one of the areas-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Third Report of the Citizens' Assembly: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Dec 2018)

Seán Sherlock: Indeed. We would welcome any move towards that. The Minister gave very specific examples, including on market failure and regulatory frameworks. I am sure he is interested in ensuring the deep retrofitting of buildings, including public buildings, private dwellings and schools. We had very positive engagement with the Tipperary Energy Agency. I believe strongly that if the Minister...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Third Report of the Citizens' Assembly: Discussion (Resumed) (5 Dec 2018)

Seán Sherlock: The SEAI is an agency of the Minister's Department. I respectfully ask him to examine the Tipperary model and kick the tyres in that regard. It is an excellent model. The other point relates to the just transition. If the Minister cannot respond now, he can come back to me. The language of the just transition has gained serious traction. It refers to fairness for workers who are...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Disability Allowance Applications (5 Dec 2018)

Seán Sherlock: 296. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will be made on a disability allowance claim by a person (details supplied). [51079/18]

Report on Procurement Process Audit of National Broadband Plan: Statements (4 Dec 2018)

Seán Sherlock: Given Deputy Bruton's vast experience as a Minister and as a Member of this House, and the fact that we all respect him, could he please be a little more forthcoming on what he assesses to be the approximate cost of delivery and the likelihood? Given that a decision is due in a matter of weeks, there must be some assessment at this stage of the cost and of the likelihood of there being a...

Report on Procurement Process Audit of National Broadband Plan: Statements (4 Dec 2018)

Seán Sherlock: There is only one bidder left.

Report on Procurement Process Audit of National Broadband Plan: Statements (4 Dec 2018)

Seán Sherlock: I have 43 seconds left. A figure of €3 billion is in the public domain as a potential cost. What credence does the Minister give to that figure? Is the Minister making provision for the potential of liability at this stage? Is he anticipating any litigation by the underbidders in this process?

Report on Procurement Process Audit of National Broadband Plan: Statements (4 Dec 2018)

Seán Sherlock: With the Acting Chairman's permission, I will engage in a direct exchange of questions and answers with the Minister. My first question is, frankly, how much is this going to cost the taxpayer.

Report on Procurement Process Audit of National Broadband Plan: Statements (4 Dec 2018)

Seán Sherlock: Approximately how much will it cost the taxpayer? What provision has the Government made for delivery of the national broadband plan?

Report on Procurement Process Audit of National Broadband Plan: Statements (4 Dec 2018)

Seán Sherlock: I quote the Minister: "It is now my priority that the procurement process is brought to a conclusion in a fair and transparent manner. I propose to revert to Government in the coming weeks with a recommendation." Is it possible that the Government will conclude that it will not proceed with the national broadband plan?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Third Report of the Citizens' Assembly: Discussion (Resumed) (4 Dec 2018)

Seán Sherlock: One hundred per cent.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Third Report of the Citizens' Assembly: Discussion (Resumed) (4 Dec 2018)

Seán Sherlock: I thank the speakers for appearing before us today. I want to extrapolate a little from the Bord na Móna scenario. For us, it was to be the exemplar for the just transition. It was to be the example to which we could all refer as the big glorious project in which the workers transitioned and were treated fairly. We are getting a very strong sense today, however, that the workers are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Third Report of the Citizens' Assembly: Discussion (Resumed) (4 Dec 2018)

Seán Sherlock: Are the goalposts being shifted on a constant basis by the management?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Third Report of the Citizens' Assembly: Discussion (Resumed) (4 Dec 2018)

Seán Sherlock: I outlined the six activities that were articulated to us. From Mr. Noone's perspective, there is no understanding that workers will transition to these areas of activity.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Third Report of the Citizens' Assembly: Discussion (Resumed) (4 Dec 2018)

Seán Sherlock: There is the language of the just transition. It is important for us to acknowledge as a committee that recommendation No. 7 speaks of making proper provision for the protection of the rights of the workers impacted. There was an overwhelming mandate. Today's interaction has been very useful and we are now beginning to develop the language of the just transition and tease it out. Does the...