Results 9,841-9,860 of 26,021 for speaker:Kieran O'Donnell

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rural Development Plan (21 Apr 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: 312. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the commitment to develop a subsidised local area hackney service as listed in the Rural Development Policy 2021-2025 - Our Rural Future plan; if he will provide clarity on the timeline envisaged to develop such a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18400/21]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Reviews (21 Apr 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: 1037. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a funding application review will be carried on the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19622/21]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Maternity Services (21 Apr 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: 1587. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to ensure priority is applied for the return of full maternity services in all hospitals (details supplied) in the coming period as restrictions are eased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18350/21]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with Chairpersons Designate of Bus Éireann, Bus Átha Cliath and Iarnród Éireann (20 Apr 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: I ask those who are appearing remotely to put their microphones on mute when others are speaking as it interferes with the sound. The purpose of today's meeting is to engage with the chairperson designate of CIÉ, Ms Fiona Ross; the chairperson designate of Bus Éireann, Mr. Aidan Murphy; the chairperson designate of Bus Átha Cliath, Mr. Ultan Courtney; and the chairperson...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with Chairpersons Designate of Bus Éireann, Bus Átha Cliath and Iarnród Éireann (20 Apr 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank Ms Ross. I call Mr. Ultan Courtney who has five minutes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with Chairpersons Designate of Bus Éireann, Bus Átha Cliath and Iarnród Éireann (20 Apr 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank Mr. Courtney. I call Mr. Murphy, chair designate of Bus Éireann, who has five minutes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with Chairpersons Designate of Bus Éireann, Bus Átha Cliath and Iarnród Éireann (20 Apr 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank Mr. Murphy. We will now move to a Fianna Fáil slot.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with Chairpersons Designate of Bus Éireann, Bus Átha Cliath and Iarnród Éireann (20 Apr 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: I invite Mr. Courtney next. I am conscious of time.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with Chairpersons Designate of Bus Éireann, Bus Átha Cliath and Iarnród Éireann (20 Apr 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: Ms Ross's statement makes specific reference to the pension scheme, which was spoken about earlier. She said the CIE group pension deficit is a key component of the weakness in the group financial position and that the accrued liabilities of the scheme had increased and exceeded the scheme's assets by €975 million at the end of 2020. I had a quick look back at the accounts for 2019....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with Chairpersons Designate of Bus Éireann, Bus Átha Cliath and Iarnród Éireann (20 Apr 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: There have been no communications on that as yet. Is that the case?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with Chairpersons Designate of Bus Éireann, Bus Átha Cliath and Iarnród Éireann (20 Apr 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: Are their informal communications on the matter?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with Chairpersons Designate of Bus Éireann, Bus Átha Cliath and Iarnród Éireann (20 Apr 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: From what I can see, they are speaking about a 1994 agreement that consolidated many older schemes into a superannuation scheme. What view does the board take in the round? Where do matters stand in the context of the CIE Group's consolidated balance sheet? When does CIE envisage certainty for all employees with regard to future certainties around their pension entitlements?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with Chairpersons Designate of Bus Éireann, Bus Átha Cliath and Iarnród Éireann (20 Apr 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: Is there any specific reason for the deficit increasing from €547 million in 2018 to €777 million in 2019 and €975 million at the end of 2020? That is a significant increase over a two-year period. It was 78% or €428 million, which is a virtual doubling of the deficit. Why has it been so dramatic? Is that down solely to the markets?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with Chairpersons Designate of Bus Éireann, Bus Átha Cliath and Iarnród Éireann (20 Apr 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: Does Ms Ross have anything to say to the trustees regarding their talks about pursuing a ruling at the High Court on the 1951 superannuation scheme? Does she have anything in particular to say to them with regard to the situation?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with Chairpersons Designate of Bus Éireann, Bus Átha Cliath and Iarnród Éireann (20 Apr 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: That is what gets one elected.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with Chairpersons Designate of Bus Éireann, Bus Átha Cliath and Iarnród Éireann (20 Apr 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: I do not know about that. Never apologise for representing your constituency.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with Chairpersons Designate of Bus Éireann, Bus Átha Cliath and Iarnród Éireann (20 Apr 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: Who would the Deputy like to answer first?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with Chairpersons Designate of Bus Éireann, Bus Átha Cliath and Iarnród Éireann (20 Apr 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: We will write to the NTA in that regard. I call Deputy Cathal Crowe.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with Chairpersons Designate of Bus Éireann, Bus Átha Cliath and Iarnród Éireann (20 Apr 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: Does the Senator wish a specific witness to reply?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with Chairpersons Designate of Bus Éireann, Bus Átha Cliath and Iarnród Éireann (20 Apr 2021)

Kieran O'Donnell: We might start with Mr. Murphy from Bus Éireann in that case. The Senator referred to the whole-----