Results 81-100 of 408 for speaker:William Aird

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Primary Medical Certificates (8 Jul 2025)

William Aird: 329. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will increase the tax reliefs allowable with the primary medical certificate in line with current vehicle values; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37295/25]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Accommodation (3 Jul 2025)

William Aird: 58. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to provide an update on funding for a new courthouse and services in Portlaoise, County Laois; to provide a timeframe around commencement and completion of the works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36566/25]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Regulatory Bodies (3 Jul 2025)

William Aird: 127. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the enforcement powers currently available to the Agri-Food Regulator; if he is satisfied these powers are sufficient to ensure compliance across the food supply chain; if he intends to bring forward any legislation to strengthen the regulator's role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36567/25]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food: Dog Control and Sheep-Worrying: Discussion (2 Jul 2025)

William Aird: I thank all the witnesses who have come in. I am delighted to be here. One good thing that has happened, on which I have campaigned for more than 40 years as a member of Laois County Council, is that the control of dogs be handed over to the Department of agriculture. That has happened now for the first time, although it should have always been the case. It should have been the case for...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food: Dog Control and Sheep-Worrying: Discussion (2 Jul 2025)

William Aird: We are talking about a very small cohort of people. The majority of people look after their dogs well. There are an awful lot of dogs. None of us knows what happens, but some say we come back as animals. I often say to myself if I came back, there are certain people that I would love to be minded by as a dog. There is care and attention taken, but it is a problem when it is not done. We...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (2 Jul 2025)

William Aird: I thank the officials for attending and clearing up our concerns. I very much welcome food regulation. It is something that we all sought for many years. I wish Mr. Joe Healy well and he is Chair of the board. The office of the Agri-Food Regulator is only in its infancy and getting off the ground. There is a lot more legislation to be put in place so that the people with the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (2 Jul 2025)

William Aird: Chair, you have opened up an awful can of worms, if you do not mind me saying that.

Select Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 42 - Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (Revised) (2 Jul 2025)

William Aird: First, I apologise for being late but it was not my fault. The train was 15 minutes late. I will have to talk to the Minister for Transport. I welcome both the Minister and the Minister of State, Deputies Calleary and Buttimer, here this morning. I hope the Minister does not mind me saying it, but I look upon him as the Santa Claus of Dáil Éireann because he has so much money...

Select Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 42 - Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (Revised) (2 Jul 2025)

William Aird: It is certainly not Laois. I can tell him that.

Select Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 42 - Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (Revised) (2 Jul 2025)

William Aird: What should be said, in fairness to me and everybody here because most people spent time on the council, is that councillors should be informed of which councils did not take up their full allocation.

Select Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 42 - Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (Revised) (2 Jul 2025)

William Aird: I know that. I said that. To be fair, public representatives might not be aware of that, and that is not fair.

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Rural and Community Development Matters: Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (2 Jul 2025)

William Aird: The Minister and I had the opportunity to speak earlier. I support the Senator on the LIS schemes. There is a considerable backlog in my area, too. Did the Senator say that only one road in Mayo has not been done?

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Rural and Community Development Matters: Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (2 Jul 2025)

William Aird: I would say it has a waiting list, too. We will be watching to ensure we all get our own supports. That is all I am trying to say.

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Rural and Community Development Matters: Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (2 Jul 2025)

William Aird: We are again pleading with the Minister in respect of this one area. I know he can say that extra roads have been put in as the result of the change to a requirement for one herd number. That is what would have brought up that issue. Is there anything that can be done? We had a long debate at the local authority to see if we could raise the funds ourselves to try to get the waiting lists...

Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development: Rural and Community Development Matters: Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (2 Jul 2025)

William Aird: I have one question about the ORIS. I also thank the Minister for his work on the islands. You might wonder why I am asking a question about the islands but my sister lives in Clifden and she continuously tells me about her work out on Inishbofin. They greatly appreciate what is being done. I have a question from the following point of view about the ORIS. I thank the Minister for...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Jul 2025)

William Aird: Will the Minister today commit to honouring the programme for Government promise to continue to reduce the student contribution fee during the lifetime of this Government? The policy has had a real impact, reducing the cost of education and easing pressure on families. This Government must stick to our commitment to support working families, deliver on the student contribution fee promise...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (1 Jul 2025)

William Aird: 40. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will increase the overall national allocation for the housing adaptation grant scheme for older people and people with disabilities, in view of significant demand, increasing costs, and the essential role these grants play in enabling people to live safely and independently in their homes; and if he will make a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Culture Policy (26 Jun 2025)

William Aird: Laois has a proud cultural identity, rich in music, literature, theatre, visual arts and storytelling. It has produced many artists and continues to support new generations through festivals, exhibitions and community-led initiatives. Towns such as Portlaoise, Rathdowney, Mountmellick, Portarlington, Mountrath and Stradbally all have active community groups that are crying out for adequate...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Culture Policy (26 Jun 2025)

William Aird: That is welcome news. I also welcome the Minister's recent announcement that the pilot programme regarding the basic income for arts has been extended. What artists need now is his commitment to make it permanent. The programme should be inclusive, support more artists and address barriers faced by those with disabilities. As the Minister knows, arts and culture are central to our Irish...