Results 1,121-1,140 of 2,761 for speaker:Pat Buckley

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (26 May 2022)

Pat Buckley: I echo what has been said by Senator Murphy. The industry is at breaking point. We are all aware of businesses that are trying their best to after emerging from Covid and everything. Some businesses have been swamped with customers, thanks be to God, but the industry is in a critical state when it comes to recruiting chefs and cooks. Therefore, it is worth inviting Mr. Lynn in on this and...

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (26 May 2022)

Pat Buckley: Senator Murphy is right, Chair. I was a member of that committee and it worked very well. It is a good suggestion and we should talk to the rest of the members. I, too, have no problem with the suggestion.

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (26 May 2022)

Pat Buckley: Excellent.

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Citizens Information Services (24 May 2022)

Pat Buckley: 453. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the attention of her Department has been drawn to the closure of the Citizens Information Centre in Cobh in east County Cork, despite there being a ten-year lease on the property since 2020; the reason for this closure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25719/22]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Citizens Information Services (24 May 2022)

Pat Buckley: 454. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the attention of her Department has been drawn to the decision by the Citizens Information Centre to reduce the number of volunteers in the citizens information office in County Cork from 230 to 100 for the entire country; the rationale for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25720/22]

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services (24 May 2022)

Pat Buckley: 653. To ask the Minister for Health the serious shortage of general practitioner places in east Cork which is leading many locals (details supplied) to go without GP care; and the efforts he will make to resolve same. [26288/22]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (17 May 2022)

Pat Buckley: 217. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has looked at increasing the frequency of train journeys on the Midleton to Cork line and the Cobh to Cork line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24296/22]

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on a Ban on Herbicides in Public Areas: Discussion (12 May 2022)

Pat Buckley: I thank Mr. Walsh who is both concise and well educated on this issue. I was not aware that there was legislation and rules in place governing this. The key issue here is to raise awareness of how dangerous these chemicals are and Mr. Walsh outlined that very well. His commonsense approach, which we do not hear too often in this House, sits well. There is no way glyphosates should be used...

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on a Ban on Herbicides in Public Areas: Discussion (12 May 2022)

Pat Buckley: In a lot of council areas, one sees wildflowers growing in central medians and along the verges of the roads. There is only one cut per year. I agree with Mr. Walsh that it is important to raise awareness. It is also important to change the habits of the councils. It can be done. I thank Mr. Walsh for his replies.

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (12 May 2022)

Pat Buckley: I agree with that recommendation, but the Defence Forces is not all about heading out with a gun or tank. There are possibilities. I have encountered people who are fully qualified engineers, mechanics and the like but who, because of their age, have not been allowed to join the Defence Forces. This matter should be looked into and I would like to revisit it. In cases where people have...

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (12 May 2022)

Pat Buckley: Agreed.

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (12 May 2022)

Pat Buckley: That is where we are.

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (12 May 2022)

Pat Buckley: Agreed.

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (12 May 2022)

Pat Buckley: Agreed.

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (12 May 2022)

Pat Buckley: I agree with you, Chair, and echo what you said. It is an absolute disgrace. Our case workers have enough work to do. To be waiting nearly three months for a reply is not good enough. The committee, by which I mean the secretariat, the researchers and everybody else, has a responsibility to assist those people who depend on us. To be waiting three months for a reply is ludicrous.

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (12 May 2022)

Pat Buckley: I again thank everybody, including all the members and the secretariat. Today was very interesting - again. You learn something new here every day, but I do not think people realise how busy this committee can be and what happens in the background.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Employment and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (12 May 2022)

Pat Buckley: Good morning to everyone and well done on the testimonies. We need the truth to be put on the table and the witnesses did that. Listening to the speakers, the first thing that struck me and that has been mentioned a number of times concerns mental health and disabilities. Supports seem to be practically non-existent for people, especially in the disabilities service, who need extra...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Employment and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (12 May 2022)

Pat Buckley: That is excellent. It is daunting to have something like that hanging over anybody’s head. the possibility of losing one’s payments for two years because of trying to better oneself and contribute to society is very worrying. We must look at this situation and look at it fast.

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (12 May 2022)

Pat Buckley: Agreed.

Living Wage Bill 2022: Second Stage [Private Members] (11 May 2022)

Pat Buckley: I too welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill and acknowledge the fact that the Labour Party has put it forward. This issue is not something new. A recent article titled "Sinn Féin TD says 'living wage' is needed to address cost of living crisis" stated: Speaking in the Dáil on a Sinn Féin proposal to introduce a 'living wage' of €12.90, local TD Brian Stanley...