Results 6,861-6,880 of 8,016 for speaker:Peter Burke

Public Accounts Committee: IDA - Financial Statement 2016 (5 Oct 2017)

Peter Burke: That is good to hear. The Uber issue was touched on. I understand the company is valued at €70 billion. Let us get away from that point. Can Mr. Shanahan summarise the process in clear terms in respect of how interventions are made by IDA Ireland, including financial support, to companies that come into the country? What conditions and policy does IDA Ireland have to get grant...

Public Accounts Committee: IDA - Financial Statement 2016 (5 Oct 2017)

Peter Burke: The majority of grants are not repaid if the company complies with the conditions. Is that correct?

Public Accounts Committee: IDA - Financial Statement 2016 (5 Oct 2017)

Peter Burke: I have a question on advanced technology buildings. Obviously, it can be a bone of contention throughout the country. Let us consider the figures. The midlands region tends to lag behind other regions in terms of IDA-supported jobs. The relevant figure is approximately 4,000 odd. That figure has not grown significantly in recent years, when other areas have been getting a bounce. What...

Public Accounts Committee: IDA - Financial Statement 2016 (5 Oct 2017)

Peter Burke: I will finish up on the tax point. I note the Comptroller and Auditor General report last week. It is amazing how headlines do not tell the full picture. From pages 234 or 235 onwards, we can read the reasons there is an effective tax rate of 9%. The tax system for corporate tax is so clear; it is one of the simplest in the world. There are few or minimal reliefs involved. Does this...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works Projects (3 Oct 2017)

Peter Burke: 135. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the river C1-37-10 in County Westmeath could be lowered by the OPW; if the OPW will liaise with a person (details supplied) on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41831/17]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Electricity Grid (3 Oct 2017)

Peter Burke: 505. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the length of the waiting list for solar farms to connect to the grid; if shovel ready projects with planning permission already granted will be prioritised over those with no planning permission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41830/17]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test Regulations (3 Oct 2017)

Peter Burke: 521. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a person (details supplied) with a driving licence can avoid the obligation of taking a number of driving lessons before sitting a driving test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41392/17]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authority Functions (3 Oct 2017)

Peter Burke: 630. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the authority that polices council by-laws; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41829/17]

Public Accounts Committee: Report on Reopening of Garda Stations: Acting Garda Commissioner (28 Sep 2017)

Peter Burke: I thank the witness for his time and I wish the acting Garda Commissioner the very best in his role. I know it is a very difficult task. Obviously, as he is entering the programme of renewal within An Garda Síochána, it is very important for this committee that An Garda Síochána's actions are seen to be transparent and that it is seen to have robust practices. The...

Public Accounts Committee: Report on Reopening of Garda Stations: Acting Garda Commissioner (28 Sep 2017)

Peter Burke: It is a reserve function. That is the first point. This needs to be clear.

Public Accounts Committee: Report on Reopening of Garda Stations: Acting Garda Commissioner (28 Sep 2017)

Peter Burke: Irrespective of the budget; whatever budget to give to the Garda Commissioner of the day comes down to the Department. The decision, however, is critical and I want no ambiguity around this. The decision to open a Garda station is a reserve function.

Public Accounts Committee: Report on Reopening of Garda Stations: Acting Garda Commissioner (28 Sep 2017)

Peter Burke: Is it true that an Garda Síochána has made a definite decision to open the Garda station at Stepaside?

Public Accounts Committee: Report on Reopening of Garda Stations: Acting Garda Commissioner (28 Sep 2017)

Peter Burke: Given the basis of how that the decision was made in isolation - and we must think of the world we live in - this leaves the acting Garda Commissioner and An Garda Síochána open to accusations. In order to have the force above any accusations of transparency and public scrutiny, does Mr. Ó Cualáin believe it was a good idea to isolate the Stepaside Garda station? When...

Public Accounts Committee: Report on Reopening of Garda Stations: Acting Garda Commissioner (28 Sep 2017)

Peter Burke: But the opening was an isolated decision.

Public Accounts Committee: Report on Reopening of Garda Stations: Acting Garda Commissioner (28 Sep 2017)

Peter Burke: It was an interim report.

Public Accounts Committee: Report on Reopening of Garda Stations: Acting Garda Commissioner (28 Sep 2017)

Peter Burke: Would it have been more prudent and better practice, to give it time, to announce all the stations together? If it was going to open two, three or four stations would it not have been more prudent for An Garda Síochána to say it would open them all when it was in possession of all the information, all the facts and when the reports were finalised?

Public Accounts Committee: Report on Reopening of Garda Stations: Acting Garda Commissioner (28 Sep 2017)

Peter Burke: In terms of a force of 15,500 and whatever number of Garda stations there are, possibly over 700-----

Public Accounts Committee: Report on Reopening of Garda Stations: Acting Garda Commissioner (28 Sep 2017)

Peter Burke: In that context, the reopening of one station is a considerably staggered approach.

Public Accounts Committee: Report on Reopening of Garda Stations: Acting Garda Commissioner (28 Sep 2017)

Peter Burke: Has all such work been carried out in Stepaside?

Public Accounts Committee: Report on Reopening of Garda Stations: Acting Garda Commissioner (28 Sep 2017)

Peter Burke: The critical thing I want to be comfortable with as a member of this committee is whether the witness, as acting Garda Commissioner, is of the view that the Garda Síochána should not have done anything differently with regard to this opening. The witness cannot see the concerns that exist. He has said the Garda went through a process and made a decision based on an interim report...