Results 1,281-1,300 of 1,995 for speaker:Joe Flaherty

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (31 May 2022)

Joe Flaherty: Deputy Nash almost sounded the death knell for Meath GAA that would result from east Meath coming into the Louth constituency. Perhaps we should not push too hard for that.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (31 May 2022)

Joe Flaherty: I agree with the spirit of what Deputy O'Callaghan is trying to get at here but the public would think the last people who should have an informed decision-making role as to how we define our constituencies and areas for election are politicians. Whether we want larger or smaller parties to get more votes, the point is we need more people to vote. I echo a lot of what Deputy Ó Snodaigh...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (31 May 2022)

Joe Flaherty: Amendment No. 48 follows on from much of the intention of Deputy O'Callaghan's amendment No. 37 with the addition of a mandatory voting provision. I do not think that needs to be enshrined in legislation given we are burdening the commission with enough work. Given the way we are going, I fear no one will want to sit on the commission because there will be so much work to be done. Many...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (31 May 2022)

Joe Flaherty: Not to put the hex on my affable committee colleague, Deputy Ó Broin, we had a real example in 2004 of two candidates with the same name. Regrettably, neither was elected in that local election. I expect Deputy Ó Broin to buck that trend comprehensively when the time comes.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (31 May 2022)

Joe Flaherty: I move amendment No. 49: In page 45, between lines 26 and 27, to insert the following: "(2) The Commission may, and shall when requested by the Minister, create an advisory board to advise the electoral commission on Cyber Threats.". Notwithstanding the high level of expertise within the Department, the cyber threat is an evolving threat. At the best of times, no organisation or...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Construction Costs in Housing: Discussion (24 May 2022)

Joe Flaherty: I have a feeling of déjà vubecause I am about to raise the issue of affordable housing in rural Ireland. I thank all of the witnesses for attending. They stated the obvious when they noted that the population will grow by up to 600,000 over the next ten years. I will set out a few facts. At best, the reversible elements of inflation in housebuilding and construction amount to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Construction Costs in Housing: Discussion (24 May 2022)

Joe Flaherty: With due respect, Mr. Taaffe gave me that answer the last time. I cannot understand why he is not moving on this. He said that his organisation bases the criteria on the CSO housing price figures. We know that the housing market collapsed and people could have bought a house in Longford for between €40,000 and €60,000. If only 100 houses were sold each year in Longford over...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Construction Costs in Housing: Discussion (24 May 2022)

Joe Flaherty: I am conscious that I am over time. Where are we with that? Can Mr. Taaffe give me a bit of light to bring back to the people of Longford?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ukraine War (19 May 2022)

Joe Flaherty: 102. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on his Department's supports to assist Ukrainian people seeking access to third level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25280/22]

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Industrial Development (19 May 2022)

Joe Flaherty: 89. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide an update on the IDA commitment to deliver an Advanced Building Solution in Longford town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24959/22]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (19 May 2022)

Joe Flaherty: 119. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline progress in establishing the new national apprenticeship office and the national apprenticeship alliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25281/22]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Parental Leave (17 May 2022)

Joe Flaherty: 78. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of those availing of parent's leave and parent's benefit, by county, since the extension was announced on 1 April 2021, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24685/22]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (17 May 2022)

Joe Flaherty: 121. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress that has been made to support groups facing additional challenges accessing work such as lone parents, persons with disabilities and minority groups include Travellers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24686/22]

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: An Garda Síochána (12 May 2022)

Joe Flaherty: The Minister of State will be aware of an open letter sent from the people of Longford to the Minister for Justice and the Garda Commissioner, Mr. Drew Harris, urgently seeking additional gardaí for Longford town to tackle a spate of antisocial and violent crime. It is well known that as many as 14 different feuds, involving seven families, are smearing Longford's reputation and...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: An Garda Síochána (12 May 2022)

Joe Flaherty: I thank the Minister of State for his solidarity with the people of Longford. He set out clearly the specifics of the Garda operation under way in Longford and the fact there have been almost 7,000 incidents related to an operation launched in 2019. The reality is that businesses and retailers are facing into what will arguably be one of the most uncertain times in their trading lives with...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (12 May 2022)

Joe Flaherty: 93. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the supports that are in place for schools to administer the summer programme 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23655/22]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (12 May 2022)

Joe Flaherty: 111. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the reform of the senior cycle; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23656/22]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights and Covid-19 Vaccines: Discussion (11 May 2022)

Joe Flaherty: I thank the witnesses for coming in. In one way, a consequence of Covid-19 is that we are lucky to have a backdrop like it so we can see first-hand the benefits of our discussions today. Licensing agreements, international property rights and all these add great value to companies. We all agree on this aspect. Reference was made to it probably taking two to three years to start up a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights and Covid-19 Vaccines: Discussion (11 May 2022)

Joe Flaherty: I thank Mr. O'Connor, but I think it is fair to say there is no pharmaceutical or healthcare company that has not triumphed and profited during the Covid-19 pandemic. Any of them I speak to, it is a bit like the English 700 years ago. They used to go to war when the economy was faltering. It has been a decent period for the pharmaceutical sector. Some of the initiatives were referred...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (10 May 2022)

Joe Flaherty: 95. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of passport applications from counties Longford and Westmeath, respectively that are currently outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22923/22]