Results 81-100 of 589 for in 'Dáil debates' speaker:Matt Shanahan

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (31 Jan 2024)

Matt Shanahan: On a point of order, it is my understanding the Minister does have a business case. I would like him to clarify that.

Misuse of Drugs (Cannabis Regulation) Bill 2022: Second Stage [Private Members] (31 Jan 2024)

Matt Shanahan: My apologies, I have just come from a committee so I am not going to take eight minutes but I will lay out some points. First, I pay tribute to Deputy Kenny. He has been the foremost voice in the Chamber since his arrival here in looking for a revised drug strategy from the Government. I would not question in anyway his bona fides, which stand large and tall, regarding his concern for...

Services for those Seeking Protection in Ireland: Statements (30 Jan 2024)

Matt Shanahan: I am someone who speaks frequently in this House on the issues of equity and fairness and the fair distribution of Exchequer funding to support all citizens and residents of our country. Regarding the issue of migration, I might refer people to the health sector, which I know well and frequently reference. I would challenge anyone who is blind to the participation and invaluable...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Jan 2024)

Matt Shanahan: Can the Taoiseach update the House on the proposed Waterford orbital bridge? It is to be located downstream of the city in the vicinity of May Park, Ardkeen and University Hospital Waterford, UHW. As he will doubtless not have forgotten, the region has been waiting for more than a decade to advance this last vital piece of the outer ring road of the city. A number of regional priorities...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (23 Jan 2024)

Matt Shanahan: The Taoiseach did not actually correct the record in respect of what I highlighted to him. I am glad that he seeks support for University Hospital Waterford, as do I. Since the two cath labs opened - they are operating 60 hours a week - the hospital is emulating the same service activity as the Cork centre, which has five cath labs and 168 hours scheduled. This is despite the fact the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (23 Jan 2024)

Matt Shanahan: People in Waterford and the south east know that the Taoiseach and the Government have forgotten them. In the election of 2011, 2016 and 2020, voters from across the south east who had been left to stew in their anger turned away from the traditional parties of government. Parliamentary responses I copied to the Taoiseach's office in recent weeks show that University Hospital Waterford, the...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (18 Jan 2024)

Matt Shanahan: I gather a new national student accommodation strategy is being developed as we speak. The 2016 policy targeted no new student accommodation in Waterford, despite the issue of a university in Waterford appearing in the 2011, 2016 and 2020 programmes for Government. To reiterate: none, nada, nothing. I cannot resist the cheap shot that this is one of the few targets in housing the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Children in Care (14 Dec 2023)

Matt Shanahan: Deputy Canney and I, along with other members of the Regional Group, met representatives of foster families some weeks ago. There are very distinct challenges in the sector, not least access to pension entitlements. The Minister has had some engagement on this. It seems extraordinary that women who left the private sector workforce and took on foster care were not advised that they should...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Children in Care (14 Dec 2023)

Matt Shanahan: Yes, residential care.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Children in Care (14 Dec 2023)

Matt Shanahan: It is important to recognise the challenges faced by foster families. Despite the increases, which are very welcome, the Minister is well aware that when some foster families take on children with additional needs, they have to source services privately. Like any parent, when they look at a child, having been told it will take two, three or four years to get an National Educational...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Children in Care (14 Dec 2023)

Matt Shanahan: 70. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline any new strategy development in his Department that deals with foster children and the challenges facing foster parents, particularly in relation to social security entitlements with respect to pension contributions (details supplied). [55037/23]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Children in Care (14 Dec 2023)

Matt Shanahan: My question relates to any strategy development in the Department that deals with foster children and the challenges facing foster parents, especially with respect to social security entitlements and pension contributions.

Digital Services Bill 2023: Second Stage (13 Dec 2023)

Matt Shanahan: The Digital Services Bill supports Ireland's responsibilities to comply with EU Digital Services Act. That has a very high and lofty principle, which is that what is illegal offline will be illegal online also. It seems to be a complex enough Bill and there are a number of significant statutes within it, namely, the appointment of An Coimisiún na Meán as the digital service...

Increased Fossil Fuel Divestment: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (13 Dec 2023)

Matt Shanahan: I, too, welcome the motion, and I congratulate Deputies Pringle, Collins and Connolly on the work they have done to bring this before the House. It is timely that the Government would review fossil fuel investment, especially in light of COP activity. I note the concerns the Minister of State has raised regarding some strategic financial investments, and obviously that is going to require...

Appropriation Bill 2023: Second Stage (12 Dec 2023)

Matt Shanahan: I previously raised my concerns to the effect that the 2024 budget is not good for Ireland. I might add that it was also not a good budget for my constituency of Waterford. As I outlined on budget day, this budget breaks the fiscal rules that have been adopted by the Government to control State spending. It breaks ranks with the advice from IFAC, a body we designed purposely to keep...

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (6 Dec 2023)

Matt Shanahan: I welcome the release of 100 Israeli hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, many of whom were women and teenagers detained without trial. I also support the Government's position in calling for an end to the Israeli practice of administrative detention. This is only adding further to the resentment of moderate Palestinians, and is further adding to a justification narrative of...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (6 Dec 2023)

Matt Shanahan: Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCeann Comhairle.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (6 Dec 2023)

Matt Shanahan: I want to return to a question I asked the Taoiseach back in March. The Government has built up expectations that South East Technological University, SETU, will meet the south-east region's need for a university by adding capacity and new programmes to halt the region's long-standing brain drain. The last three programmes for Government in 2011, 2016 and 2020 specifically prioritised the...

Confidence in the Minister for Justice: Motion (5 Dec 2023)

Matt Shanahan: I vote on a case-by-case basis, which is evidenced by the many times my vote has found fault with Government actions versus objectives. To the matter at hand, I have little confidence that Dublin is entirely safe. I have little confidence that the important reforms and modernisation of policing in this country are progressing at the pace required. I have little confidence that...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 Dec 2023)

Matt Shanahan: Ireland, as a small and open economy, needs friends. We saw the value of friendship during the financial crisis. In that context, we need Irish people in key positions in international institutions. Will Government reconsider its position and allow the Minister for public expenditure and reform to formally engage and put his hat in the ring, should an opportunity arise to lead an...