Results 61-80 of 1,030,665 for in 'Dáil debates' OR (speaker:Ciarán Cuffe OR speaker:Jennifer Whitmore OR speaker:Sorca Clarke OR speaker:Imelda Munster) in 'Committee meetings'

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Animal Welfare (13 Jun 2024)

Thomas Byrne: The footage shown last night was appalling and the actions of the individuals shown are abhorrent and completely unacceptable. Deputy Coveney raised some interesting questions. I am reluctant to go too far in light of potential prosecutions and the Department's determination to bring the full force of the law to bear. However, I have no doubt that horse butchers in European countries where...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Animal Welfare (13 Jun 2024)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: As someone who lives in Kildare and loves horses and animals in general, I feel compelled to say that we appreciate the Minister of State being here and we know he is not responsible in that Department, but I would think that the public outside looking in at this debate would want one particular question answered. Is that place - that horror hole - open today doing what we saw on TV last...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Animal Welfare (13 Jun 2024)

Thomas Byrne: As I am not in the Department of agriculture, I am not in a position to answer that but I will make sure that question gets put to the Minister for agriculture as a matter of urgency.

Protection of Accident Victims from Non-Consensual Recording of Images Bill 2022: Second Stage [Private Members] (13 Jun 2024)

Protection of Accident Victims from Non-Consensual Recording of Images Bill 2022: Second Stage [Private Members] (13 Jun 2024)

Duncan Smith: Before I begin, I wish Martin all the best in his retirement and thank him very much. I had the privilege of being in this House as both a Member and a staff member for a number of years, and the courtesy I was shown did not differ. That is the same for everyone, which is a testament to Martin and his colleagues, so I wish him all the best. I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Septic Tanks (13 Jun 2024)

Joe Flaherty: I thank the Minister of State and appreciate him standing in on behalf of the Department of housing. It is somewhat disappointing a Minister was not available to take the question but I am sure the officials will relay my dismay and frustration with this grant scheme. The reality is that in the case of County Longford only a small number of inspections, possibly three, are carried out over...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Septic Tanks (13 Jun 2024)

Thomas Byrne: I thank Deputy Flaherty for his comments and will relay them to the Minister, Deputy O'Brien. Grant support is available for households where there are identified water pollution risks. However, it should be noted that, under the Water Services Act, the owner of a system is responsible for its maintenance and for keeping it in good repair. The local authorities have a key role in the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Animal Welfare (13 Jun 2024)

Animal Welfare

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Animal Welfare (13 Jun 2024)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Deputy Coveney wishes to discuss matters relating to horse welfare and food safety at Shannonside Foods in Straffan, County Kildare. We were all horrified with what we saw on television screens last evening. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, for being here to deal with this matter.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Animal Welfare (13 Jun 2024)

Simon Coveney: Last night's "RTÉ Investigates" programme was, to say the least, uncomfortable watching. There is a lot to consider in the context of a European horsemeat trade that needs our attention in this House, but I want to focus for today on what we saw in Shannonside Foods Limited in Straffan. It was completely unacceptable and we need to deal with it very firmly. There was a horse in a...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Animal Welfare (13 Jun 2024)

Thomas Byrne: Last night's "RTÉ Investigates", which I also watched, showed really horrifying footage of welfare abuses on a farm premises adjacent to the sole horse slaughter plant in Ireland, as well as potential breaches of traceability rules in Ireland and member states across the EU. The behaviour seen last night is utterly unacceptable. It is disgusting and entirely inconsistent with the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Architectural Heritage (13 Jun 2024)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Minister of State for going to the efforts he has gone to and I again thank the Ceann Comhairle for facilitating this debate. I understand the problem but, unfortunately, some of us have been around Castletown Estate when it was in its previous ownership, in Connolly-Carew's time. We got to know all the people who worked on the estate and we listened to their queries over a...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Architectural Heritage (13 Jun 2024)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I thank the Deputy and ask the Minister of State to respond briefly. We have gone over time.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Architectural Heritage (13 Jun 2024)

Kieran O'Donnell: I again thank the Deputy. I reiterate I want to stick with process, as I agreed with the working group and the Deputy. We will continue to speak to the landowners, look at Batty Langley Lodge for temporary access for staff, examine the legal case the Deputy made about the right of access and consider the Kildare campus. I am exploring every conceivable avenue to work with everyone to find...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Septic Tanks (13 Jun 2024)

Septic Tanks

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Septic Tanks (13 Jun 2024)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Septic Tanks (13 Jun 2024)

Joe Flaherty: Like many of my rural colleagues, I was giddy with excitement at the 2023 Ard-Fheis when the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, announced changes to the septic tank grant scheme-----

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Septic Tanks (13 Jun 2024)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Is it not amazing the things that get us worked up?

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Septic Tanks (13 Jun 2024)

Joe Flaherty: Indeed. I have been living ever since with disappointment and a feeling of being unfulfilled, however, given numerous constituents have come to me and pointed out the shortcomings of the scheme. Just 19 grants have been paid out this year by the Department to householders with septic tanks and the Department is coming under increasing pressure to revise the eligibility and application...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Septic Tanks (13 Jun 2024)

Thomas Byrne: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue and providing me with the opportunity to address the matter on behalf of the Minster for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The policy of providing grant support for domestic wastewater treatment systems, or septic tank grants, arises from the need to address damage being done to water quality in sensitive areas, in particular, and in...