Results 101-120 of 1,058 for speaker:James Lawless in 'Dáil debates'

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bus Services (22 Sep 2022)

James Lawless: My question relates to the reliability of bus services in County Kildare. However, before I get onto the issue of buses, I should just share with Members present that ironically, I almost missed my question because my train service was delayed on the way in this morning. The 8.20 a.m. from Sallins is repeatedly late. Not only does it delay that train, but that connects to the Hazelhatch...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bus Services (22 Sep 2022)

James Lawless: The difficulty here is that there were issues with services, and the 120 in particular, pre-Covid and pre-Go-Ahead. In fact, it was considered by the regular commuters on the bus that the service would improve and there was a bit of excitement about it. I replied to some representations at the time saying that there was light at the end of the tunnel because a new operator was coming on...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bus Services (22 Sep 2022)

James Lawless: That is a very good idea. It makes perfect sense to do that, rather than having some casual labour being brought in for a route here or there and being let go again. Having an apprenticeship model as a career path is the way to go. Perhaps the Minister can point the NTA towards that because the driver shortage is across the board. I will share a few examples with the Minister. I have had...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bus Services (22 Sep 2022)

James Lawless: Does the Minister not have a response?

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla (Atógáil) - Topical Issue Debate (Resumed): Oideachas trí Ghaeilge (14 Jul 2022)

James Lawless: I thank the Minister of State for the update. As has been said, the refurbishment works are overdue and need to progress. While they will be welcome when they do take place, these works are really a sticking plaster. Some clarity on the long-term plan is needed. It is not a bad idea for the school to occupy the site of the old post-primary school but, as I have said, it is not suitable in...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla (Atógáil) - Topical Issue Debate (Resumed): Oideachas trí Ghaeilge (14 Jul 2022)

James Lawless: I am sharing time with my colleague, Deputy Cronin, and we send our best wishes to Deputy Durkan. Deputy Catherine Murphy supports the motion as well. We in Kildare tend to work together on these issues, which is a good and collaborative way to finish out the term. It is very much a team effort. The points have already been outlined. Gaelscoil Chill Dara, which took a long time to get...

Communications (Retention of Data) (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Jul 2022)

James Lawless: Under the 1996 Act, it was common practice to have codes of practice for different sectors. That is a good idea. The stakeholders in this Bill, in the telecommunications and other sectors, said it would be very helpful. It was always done in the past under previous legislation. It would be helpful if the Minister would consider accepting that amendment. That would help the legislation to...

Communications (Retention of Data) (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Jul 2022)

James Lawless: I am afraid that I do not quite follow the argument that things and personnel can change. We accept the Minister's good faith in terms of her intent to bring forward legislation in six or 12 months. If that was the case, we would all be relieved. It is not second-guessing the Minister. It is second-guessing events because we do not know what the future holds, what Minister may be in...

Communications (Retention of Data) (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Jul 2022)

James Lawless: I will speak to the amendment very briefly because the Minister has to take all the amendments in her response.

Communications (Retention of Data) (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Jul 2022)

James Lawless: I will speak to amendment No. 6, which has similarities with Deputy Howlin’s amendment and other amendments. It is worth recapping briefly how we got here, both procedurally and in terms of the bigger picture. The Joint Committee on Justice stands willing and able to do its duty and scrutinise legislation. It welcomes the opportunity to do its job in that regard, as it does with all...

Communications (Retention of Data) (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Jul 2022)

James Lawless: Perhaps I will have that opportunity in time. It would provide some reassurance and comfort to all those involved in the scrutiny if this were to be re-examined. It could pass muster for now to get it over the line, as it were, given all the circumstances if we were given comfort was the legislation will be revisited. As we have been told, there will be a more comprehensive Bill, on which...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ukraine War (28 Jun 2022)

James Lawless: 108. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will be authorising any further defence supports for Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34151/22]

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (28 Jun 2022)

James Lawless: 15. To ask the Taoiseach if he has spoken to the French President since his re-election. [30121/22]

Garda Síochána (Amendment) Bill 2022: Second Stage (14 Jun 2022)

James Lawless: I thank the Minister for introducing the Bill and speaking about its provisions. As stated by colleagues on the justice committee and others, the committee considered this matter at its meeting this afternoon, obviously after the fact in the sense that we granted the waiver last week in corporeal fashion. We were happy to do so as the volume of cases going through the courts was such that...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Water Quality (26 May 2022)

James Lawless: I thank the Minister for the reply and welcome the progress. I have been in touch with the Minister's office on this throughout and I welcome that those representations are beginning to bear fruit. I note the commitment that the Department will receive an initial assessment on the feasibility of an alternative groundwater source arising from tonight's debate and the representations in the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Water Quality (26 May 2022)

James Lawless: I thank the Minister of State for taking this Topical Issue debate, which relates to the quality and contents of the water supply in Kilteel, County Kildare. In the constituency of Kildare North, Kilteel borders counties Wicklow and Dublin. It is in an important corner of the constituency where there are decent people and strong communities. Sixty houses connect to the group water...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Judicial Appointments (24 May 2022)

James Lawless: 9. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if there are any plans to increase the number of judges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26123/22]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Judicial Appointments (24 May 2022)

James Lawless: I acknowledge a very productive session with the Minister today at the Joint Committee on Justice on the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022, which will reform and transform the way we appoint judges going forward. However, there remains a significant gap between the numbers we have on the Bench and those of our European neighbours and international comparators. It is imperative that...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Judicial Appointments (24 May 2022)

James Lawless: I acknowledge the good work the Minister of State is doing on the gambling regulation Bill, the report on which we published recently in the committee, along with the Minister and others. Judicial numbers is a concern that I may not have expected at the outset of this Dáil term. When we began hearings at the Joint Committee on Justice, almost without exception, the witnesses on a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Judicial Appointments (24 May 2022)

James Lawless: The cost of one salary per year pales into insignificance when compared with the cost of court sitting day after day for a full year. It is an unfortunate comparison and I hope it is not reflective of Government's attitude.