Results 12,461-12,480 of 26,534 for speaker:John McGuinness

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Legal Costs (1 Dec 2015)

John McGuinness: 617. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 628 of 17 November 2015, the amount spent by the National Sports Campus Development Authority, now Sport Ireland, in respect of legal advice relating to freedom of information requests since 2012; and if he is satisfied that this was an appropriate use of taxpayers' money. [42536/15]

Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings) Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Nov 2015)

John McGuinness: I will do so, but I wish to say that beyond this day we need to engage with the police and communities? We need to support them by funding text alert and community alert systems. Without that we are going to fail.

Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings) Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Nov 2015)

John McGuinness: Like others, I welcome this Bill, but I wonder about its impact in terms of the custodial sentences that might be granted. Have we the places to accommodate all the extra individuals who might be sent to prison? I also question the extent to which the Garda can investigate every burglary. It will require extra resources, which must include not only cars but also manpower and the ability to...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee. (26 Nov 2015)

John McGuinness: Are the minutes of our meeting of 19 November 2015 agreed? Agreed. Are there any matters arising from the minutes?

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee. (26 Nov 2015)

John McGuinness: We had this discussion last week with regard to the Fennelly commission and IBRC. To allay any fears, Deputy McDonald, it has nothing to do with the issue being investigated, getting to the bottom of it and dealing with it in an effective way. However, the history of tribunals and other investigations is that once they are established by the House, they appear to get out the gap and costs...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee. (26 Nov 2015)

John McGuinness: We are not at odds here.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee. (26 Nov 2015)

John McGuinness: Therefore, we will write to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and give notice to the Department of Finance, representatives of which are due to appear before us next week that this matter may be raised again. We will ask the Department of Expenditure and Reform to give us the figures we have requested before the end of business today, given that those figures are apparently...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee. (26 Nov 2015)

John McGuinness: Yes. We want as much complete information as we can get. That is what we were promised last week but we should have it today. We will send a pigeon across to Mr. Watt's office and see if we can get that information from him.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee. (26 Nov 2015)

John McGuinness: I think the pigeon was shot.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee. (26 Nov 2015)

John McGuinness: Perhaps we should speak to the pigeon keeper and ask him to make sure that a robust pigeon is sent out. On the question of sanity raised by Deputy McDonald and the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council, IFAC, it might be no harm if someone was tasked with the job of costing more serious policy matters that will be put before the electorate over the coming months. It would make perfect sense for...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee. (26 Nov 2015)

John McGuinness: Deputy McDonald mentioned sanity.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee. (26 Nov 2015)

John McGuinness: There should be some analysis, regardless of politics. Somebody should be charged with providing a broad analysis of particular projects that may be put before the people in the context of a general election. That happens in other jurisdictions. We need at least an indicative guideline on the costs that might be involved and it would be no harm to make that available to every political...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee. (26 Nov 2015)

John McGuinness: Officials from the Department of Finance will be here next week so we can take it up with them then. The Department plays a small role but I am talking about a bigger role for some agency to take on.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee. (26 Nov 2015)

John McGuinness: It might not be the Department of Finance in this case but we can raise it with the officials next week when they are here. I raise this because it is a serious issue, regardless of who is in power. It is also vital to develop the whole concept of public accountability through the Comptroller and Auditor General and this committee. The issue will have to be pursued. The situation will...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee. (26 Nov 2015)

John McGuinness: We will seek clarification, then. No. 3B(1) is correspondence dated 10 November 2015 from Mr. Patrick Coughlan of Mullingar, County Westmeath, re Castlemartyr resort, to be noted and published. We have had previous correspondence from Mr. Coughlan on NAMA actions in Castlemartyr. It now appears that information on local property tax payment by Mr. Coughlan was also available to third...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee. (26 Nov 2015)

John McGuinness: We can agree to have an informal meeting with them if that is the wish of members.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee. (26 Nov 2015)

John McGuinness: Deputy McDonald?

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee. (26 Nov 2015)

John McGuinness: An EU review is being undertaken, I understand, which is to report in January. Arising from this correspondence, the clerk and I and Deputy Ross, if he wants to come, could meet the group and see what it is about. We could then report back to the meeting.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee. (26 Nov 2015)

John McGuinness: Yes.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee. (26 Nov 2015)

John McGuinness: No. 3B(3) is correspondence dated 17 November 2015 from Mr. Joseph Haire re the interchangeability of brand medicines. We could note and publish this and forward it to the HSE for further response to questions that Mr. Haire has asked. There is a significant amount of money involved. The Comptroller and Auditor General may also want to examine the costs arising from the interchangeability...