Results 1,181-1,200 of 4,399 for speaker:Martin Browne

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (29 Jun 2023)

Martin Browne: That concludes our consideration of public petitions. I would like to invite members of the public to submit petitions via our online portal which is available at: petitions.oireachtas.ie. A petition may be addressed to the Houses of the Oireachtas on a matter of general public concern or interest or an issue of public policy. Is there any other business? Do members wish to make any final...

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (29 Jun 2023)

Martin Browne: As always, I will support that. We know the amount of work that goes into making our work on the committee easy. We thank Caoímhe for stepping in today as Karen is on a break. We had Pádraig in yesterday. I thank Barbara and Alex, as we do every two weeks, for the work they do on our behalf.

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (29 Jun 2023)

Martin Browne: It might be worth asking the transport operators what limitations apply. The area of concern is the issue of space, safety and insurance. We all know what insurance can cost in this country. The petitioner quoted in her petition that many countries in Europe allow dogs. Is the recommendation of the committee agreed?

Culling the National Herd: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (28 Jun 2023)

Martin Browne: I also thank the Rural Independent Group for putting this motion before the House. I welcome the opportunity to discuss this today. Many aspects reflect on the inconsistent way this Government has treated our farmers and the contradictory message it has been sending rural Ireland in what is almost a traditional approach by the Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Green Party Government. ...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Consolidation in Horticultural Grower Numbers: Discussion (28 Jun 2023)

Martin Browne: I also welcome the guests and agree with the Chair; it is like Groundhog Day. We are back discussing the same things over and over again. It is crazy to think that we have a sector that is worth €529 million and that we are depending on fruit and so on being imported when we have, as was already said, a climate that is suitable for what we are talking about. We have gone to a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Consolidation in Horticultural Grower Numbers: Discussion (28 Jun 2023)

Martin Browne: We are faced with a shortage now.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Consolidation in Horticultural Grower Numbers: Discussion (28 Jun 2023)

Martin Browne: Below-cost selling and inflation in the cost of growing vegetables have resulted in the decimation of farmers’ margins. The IFA is calling for the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Bill 2022 to be amended in the Seanad. Amendments were tabled to the Bill to give the regulator more powers, especially to investigate anti-competitive practices and below-cost selling. For some reason,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Consolidation in Horticultural Grower Numbers: Discussion (28 Jun 2023)

Martin Browne: The IFA is asking the Bill to be amended in the Seanad. Would it be in favour of giving the regulator extra powers?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Consolidation in Horticultural Grower Numbers: Discussion (28 Jun 2023)

Martin Browne: Most of my other questions have been asked, so I will ask about peat availability. It is stupid and crazy that we are importing peat from eastern Europe when we have bogs all over this country. Is there any indication of what progress is being made? We hear about alternative peat products. We have all spoken to horticulturists, garden growers and so forth. They are all trying their own...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Consolidation in Horticultural Grower Numbers: Discussion (28 Jun 2023)

Martin Browne: Has the IFA confidence that the alternative, when it comes on board, will be as good as the natural peat we have stopped harvesting? Will it be as good as or better than what is being imported?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Consolidation in Horticultural Grower Numbers: Discussion (28 Jun 2023)

Martin Browne: We discuss greenhouse gases and carbon footprints. I would love to know what the ships and trucks loading it over there to bring it here and take it all around our country are emitting.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Consolidation in Horticultural Grower Numbers: Discussion (28 Jun 2023)

Martin Browne: It is probably solar powered. I have no other questions. Everything else has been answered. I thank the witnesses for their answers.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Pharmacy Services (28 Jun 2023)

Martin Browne: 134. To ask the Minister for Health if he has conducted or will conduct a review of pharmacy dispensing fees and the extent of service provision by community pharmacists; if he has engaged or will engage with an organisation (details supplied) on the matter; if so, the dates on which he has engaged or will engage it; if he will establish a review which encompasses the scope of services...

Nursing Home Care: Motion [Private Members] (27 Jun 2023)

Martin Browne: Read it all.

Nursing Home Care: Motion [Private Members] (27 Jun 2023)

Martin Browne: I hope the Minister replays his multiple mom and pop statements later. Has he listened to any of the people in the Public Gallery who are telling him that they are losing beds and their sector is in trouble? I welcome the chance to speak on this issue because it has been clear for some time that, as the population has aged, the cost of doing business has increased and the funding model...

Apprenticeship and Further Education and Training: Statements (22 Jun 2023)

Martin Browne: Only last week, I referred to how apprentices were excluded from the national minimum wage. I make no apologies for repeating that. In speaking about apprenticeships, we are speaking about workers, including the workers of the future. We are also speaking about what it means to work and the conditions one should expect in the workplace. Furthermore, we are speaking about the value that...

Working Group of Committee Chairmen: Engagement with An Taoiseach (22 Jun 2023)

Martin Browne: I welcome the Taoiseach. Before I start, I congratulate Senator Flynn on becoming Chair of her committee. The issue of more committees has been raised. I agree that there is a need for some, but it will put more pressure on Members and the committee secretariat. I can see this in the Joint Committee on Public Petitions and the Ombudsmen. It is not possible for the secretariat to take...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (21 Jun 2023)

Martin Browne: I want to raise the untenable situation of community pharmacists as they remain subject to the cuts imposed due to the financial crisis. They are the only sector in healthcare who remain in this position. Given the acknowledgement of the great service provided by them during the pandemic and generally in light of lengthy GP waiting lists I have asked the Minister to fully and openly engage...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse Sport Industry Strategy: Engagement with Horse Sport Ireland (21 Jun 2023)

Martin Browne: I also welcome our guests. I hope these issues can be resolved. What we are discussing today is dominated by the equestrian events, including showjumping. Shane and Trevor Breen are from my own town of Cashel. I hope these matters are all fixed before the Olympic Games. We could do with medals back in Cashel after it all. In his opening statement, Mr. Duggan said that there would be...