Results 1,121-1,140 of 5,767 for speaker:Thomas Gould

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (26 Mar 2024)

Thomas Gould: I will not go over what my colleagues have said. Last week I expressed my concerns about local democracy and taking away powers from councillors. There have been huge changes in local authorities from when I became a councillor in 2009 to now. I am concerned about any reduction in the power or ability of councillors to have a say. In his response, the Minister might explain the reason for...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (26 Mar 2024)

Thomas Gould: I will follow on from what Deputy O'Callaghan has said and the Minister's response. The Minister said the section will only be used in national emergencies and extreme cases but the worry is the wording. He also said that this would not be used on an ongoing basis but the problem is that the section has been included, which gives additional powers to Ministers and the Government. That...

Accommodation for International Protection Applicants: Motion [Private Members] (21 Mar 2024)

Thomas Gould: I was out canvassing during the week, and I knocked on a door and met a gentleman I have known, along with his family, for years. He said the Minister and his Government are making him a racist. This man was never a racist. He was a hardworking man who raised a good family. He never had an issue with refugees or asylum seekers. He has an adult child who has a disability and he has had to...

Accommodation for International Protection Applicants: Motion [Private Members] (21 Mar 2024)

Thomas Gould: We are not going to the right at all. We have to deal with people on the ground. I will not have that said.

Accommodation for International Protection Applicants: Motion [Private Members] (21 Mar 2024)

Thomas Gould: I will not have that said. I am on the front line.

Accommodation for International Protection Applicants: Motion [Private Members] (21 Mar 2024)

Thomas Gould: I have been attacked, in my home and my office, and I will not listen to that from him.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Active Travel (21 Mar 2024)

Thomas Gould: Does the Minister not accept that receiving half the same funding for four years on the trot is not fair on the constituents I represent? I have spoken directly with the NTA where I have raised this issue repeatedly. I have also raised it with Cork City Council, and I understand it is the council’s job to bring these projects forward, but the people I represent do not see any...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Active Travel (21 Mar 2024)

Thomas Gould: -----to walk on roads that trucks drive on. That is not good enough.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bus Services (21 Mar 2024)

Thomas Gould: There are huge issues with all of the bus services in Cork. Last week, Sinn Féin in Cork brought out a policy outlining that a minimum of 30 extra drivers need to be hired by Bus Éireann to fill the gaps that are now showing. Due to traffic congestion, we are seeing more people using the buses, which is what we all want, but the problem is that buses are being delayed and are not...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Active Travel (21 Mar 2024)

Thomas Gould: 70. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport whether he is aware of an uneven allocation in funding for active travel in 2024 in Cork city. [13240/24]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Active Travel (21 Mar 2024)

Thomas Gould: Will the Minister update the House as to whether he is aware of the uneven allocation of funding for active travel in 2024 in Cork city? For the fourth year on the trot, active travel funding is skewed between the northside and the southside and, once again, the northside of Cork city loses out.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Active Travel (21 Mar 2024)

Thomas Gould: This is the fourth year that I have raised with the Minister the uneven allocation of funding between the northside and southside. People may think it is still funding being spent in Cork but if people come from the constituency that I represent, they can see the disparity in the funding. This is a serious issue that goes to the heart of the neglect of the northside by this Government....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (21 Mar 2024)

Thomas Gould: 14. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence whether he has engaged on the reported €10 million payouts on Defence Forces claims in the past three years. [13242/24]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (21 Mar 2024)

Thomas Gould: Will the Tánaiste update the House on whether he has engaged on the report and the reported €10 million payout on Defence Forces claims in the past three years?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (21 Mar 2024)

Thomas Gould: I stand corrected on the figure, which was just €7.5 million over the last three years. However, this is concrete proof that there are serious issues in the Defence Forces. It vindicates the Women of Honour in many ways and proves there is a need for an inquiry to deal with significant issues that cause serious harm to those in the Defence Forces. According to the Irish Examiner...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (21 Mar 2024)

Thomas Gould: Has the Tánaiste met the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces to discuss the current issues? What interim measures will be put in place pending the inquiry to improve existing complaints procedures? It was really disappointing, and that is probably not a strong enough word, that the Women of Honour did not see the terms of reference before they were published. The Tánaiste met...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Naval Service (21 Mar 2024)

Thomas Gould: 13. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of sailings the Naval Service cancelled in the past 12 months due to staffing shortages. [13241/24]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Naval Service (21 Mar 2024)

Thomas Gould: Will the Tánaiste update the House on the number of sailings the Naval Service had to cancel the last 12 months due to staffing shortages?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Naval Service (21 Mar 2024)

Thomas Gould: Last month, the Irish Examiner reported that only one ship is currently available to patrol our 1 million sq. km exclusive economic zone. The newspaper also stated that a lack of expertise delayed the use of two smaller vessels, which arrived from New Zealand last May. These are unlikely to become operational until the winter, at the earliest. These two vessels cost €26 million. A...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Naval Service (21 Mar 2024)

Thomas Gould: We have seen the Naval Service do some excellent work, considering the resources available to it. The service needs to be commended on the work it does. I was told recently by a person on the ground that a ship left port without the required manning levels and health and safety measures in place. I do not want to say who told me this but they firmly believed the ship should not have left...