Results 8,801-8,820 of 15,510 for speaker:Brendan Griffin

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Current Financial Situation at Bus Éireann, the Expressway Service and the Rural Transport Programme (Resumed) (1 Feb 2017)

Brendan Griffin: The issue of free travel has been raised several times. It was raised again last week. For the record, the committee will hear from representatives from the Department of Social Protection in some weeks to discuss matters pertaining to free travel. I am pleased to hear the clarification today. It is important to put people at ease and that they are reassured that there is no plan to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Current Financial Situation at Bus Éireann, the Expressway Service and the Rural Transport Programme (Resumed) (1 Feb 2017)

Brendan Griffin: They never use it but they might have to spend €5 every Friday to get a taxi to pick up the pension.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Current Financial Situation at Bus Éireann, the Expressway Service and the Rural Transport Programme (Resumed) (1 Feb 2017)

Brendan Griffin: If that cost was paid for ten or 12 weeks of the year, it would be a help.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Current Financial Situation at Bus Éireann, the Expressway Service and the Rural Transport Programme (Resumed) (1 Feb 2017)

Brendan Griffin: It could be an optional arrangement. There is a similar option with the household benefits packages. People can tick certain boxes and so on. Again, the cost of administration would have to be weighed up. Anyway, I have long held the view that it could be an option for someone who might wish to choose it. There is concern over abuse. I have spoken to bus drivers and people working not...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Current Financial Situation at Bus Éireann, the Expressway Service and the Rural Transport Programme (Resumed) (1 Feb 2017)

Brendan Griffin: There are 30,000 constituents for each Deputy and we are overwhelmed all the time. It is simply not feasible to have 400,000 people overseen by each Revenue inspector. The scales are stacked in favour of those who abuse the system.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Current Financial Situation at Bus Éireann, the Expressway Service and the Rural Transport Programme (Resumed) (1 Feb 2017)

Brendan Griffin: After the Department of Social Protection administers the provision of the cards and the administration relating to who is eligible for free travel, it becomes a matter for the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport to ensure the relevant parties do not lose as a result of abuse. I do not believe that is happening. That is the point. The Department of Social Protection is operating the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Current Financial Situation at Bus Éireann, the Expressway Service and the Rural Transport Programme (Resumed) (1 Feb 2017)

Brendan Griffin: The point I am making on the issue of fuel is that there is perhaps leeway for savings. When the Department is such an important customer and is spending that amount on fuel every year, then maybe the ball is in the Department's court. The Department has more muscle than other buyers. I thank the Minister. Deputy O'Keeffe has a final question.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Current Financial Situation at Bus Éireann, the Expressway Service and the Rural Transport Programme (Resumed) (1 Feb 2017)

Brendan Griffin: I thank the Minister, Deputy Ross, and his officials for their time. I am conscious that the Minister has been here since just after 1.30 p.m. and that has to go to the Dáil now. The joys of being a Minister. I again thank the Minister for his time and I thank members and everyone here for their assistance.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (1 Feb 2017)

Brendan Griffin: 136. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the provision of a dedicated obstetrics theatre at UHK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4255/17]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (1 Feb 2017)

Brendan Griffin: 196. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) in County Kerry will be provided with an additional teaching post based on projected pupil numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4816/17]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rural Social Scheme (1 Feb 2017)

Brendan Griffin: 229. To ask the Minister for Social Protection his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding changes to the rural social scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4802/17]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Staff Recruitment (1 Feb 2017)

Brendan Griffin: 241. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the Public Appointments Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4794/17]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Nitrates Usage (1 Feb 2017)

Brendan Griffin: 302. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding nitrates regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4801/17]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Service Provision (1 Feb 2017)

Brendan Griffin: 313. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 161 of 19 October 2016, his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4810/17]

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Gorse Burning (31 Jan 2017)

Brendan Griffin: 63. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding extending the spring gorse burning season; her views on the prospect of spring wildfires such as those that have threatened homes and native oak forests in Killarney National Park and many other areas in recent years; her plans for 2017 to reduce this risk; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3844/17]

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Heritage Projects (31 Jan 2017)

Brendan Griffin: 79. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the timeframe for the completion and full opening of Killarney House; her plans for 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3843/17]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Pension Provisions (31 Jan 2017)

Brendan Griffin: 124. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to allow further access to private pension funds before retirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3849/17]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Provision (31 Jan 2017)

Brendan Griffin: 193. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the shortage of chefs and skilled hospitality staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4141/17]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (31 Jan 2017)

Brendan Griffin: 368. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the sluice gates in a canal (details supplied) in County Kerry will be repaired or replaced to prevent flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3766/17]

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Heritage Projects (31 Jan 2017)

Brendan Griffin: 387. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if funding is available in relation to a matter (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4056/17]