Results 1,101-1,120 of 4,787 for speaker:Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Financial Resolutions 2022 - Budget Statement 2023 (27 Sep 2022)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: Hear, hear.

Financial Resolutions 2022 - Budget Statement 2023 (27 Sep 2022)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: Hear, hear.

Screening of Third Country Transactions Bill 2022: Second Stage (21 Sep 2022)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I join others in congratulating the Minister of State on his recent appointment. We look forward to working closely with him in the coming period. This Bill is about protection of the security or public order of the State. In a globalised world with complex technologies and equally complex supply chains it is clear that our day-to-day lives are acutely vulnerable to the malign actions of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: School Transport Issues: Engagement with Minister for Education (21 Sep 2022)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I welcome the Minister and her officials. She is going to have to accept that this was grossly mishandled and an apology from her to those who have been affected would go a long way. She said apologies have been issued by Bus Éireann, but she has to take responsibility for how this has been handled. How much is the new initiative costing?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: School Transport Issues: Engagement with Minister for Education (21 Sep 2022)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: We are dealing with an extra €40 million. I imagine that, when the Minister makes an announcement in July that is going to cost €40 million, she would do a little bit of homework and make sure that it works correctly. Bus Éireann management say that the first time they heard about an entirely free scheme was after the Cabinet decision. The Minister is suggesting that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: School Transport Issues: Engagement with Minister for Education (21 Sep 2022)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: In terms of an entirely free scheme?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: School Transport Issues: Engagement with Minister for Education (21 Sep 2022)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: That is not what I am asking. My problem with the Minister's answers is that she does not answer the question I am asking her. There is a very important-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: School Transport Issues: Engagement with Minister for Education (21 Sep 2022)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: The Minister is not answering the question I am asking.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: School Transport Issues: Engagement with Minister for Education (21 Sep 2022)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I have only got a certain amount of time.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: School Transport Issues: Engagement with Minister for Education (21 Sep 2022)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: Okay. Were the discussions with Bus Éireann prior to the decision being made by Cabinet on the basis of an entirely free scheme?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: School Transport Issues: Engagement with Minister for Education (21 Sep 2022)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I find myself unconvinced by the Minister's answer. I was unconvinced by her presentation last night as well, because Bus Éireann seemed to be slightly surprised by this announcement made in July. Be that as it may-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: School Transport Issues: Engagement with Minister for Education (21 Sep 2022)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I can only go by the evidence that is front of me and by the evidence that is given by Bus Éireann.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: School Transport Issues: Engagement with Minister for Education (21 Sep 2022)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I thank the Minister for that clarification. I will ask about the roll-out of the scheme. What type of intensive conversations took place in the month of August between the Minister, her officials, her Department and Bus Éireann to ensure that this €40 million scheme would be rolled out successfully?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: School Transport Issues: Engagement with Minister for Education (21 Sep 2022)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I know and many people are not.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: School Transport Issues: Engagement with Minister for Education (21 Sep 2022)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: These are young people who have been on the bus for the previous three or four years and now because of the Minister's new €40 million scheme, which was not properly prepared, they are now on the side of the road. The Minister is not in a position to apologise to those families for what is clearly a failing by her Department.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: School Transport Issues: Engagement with Minister for Education (21 Sep 2022)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: No I would prefer-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: School Transport Issues: Engagement with Minister for Education (21 Sep 2022)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: The Minister has asked me a question.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: School Transport Issues: Engagement with Minister for Education (21 Sep 2022)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: It is in the interest of this committee-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: School Transport Issues: Engagement with Minister for Education (21 Sep 2022)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: What about those who were previously on the bus, who are now not on the bus?