Results 13,741-13,760 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Oct 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I accept the concerns the Deputy has set out, but I wish to provide some detail. Additional funding of €10 million has been provided in budget 2022, on top of the existing level of service provision of €56 million. This additional allocation should enable progress to be made in addressing issues around service provision for medical card patients in 2022, which are the sort of...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Oct 2021)

Eamon Ryan: The biggest shortfall in the past year has been due to the Covid pandemic. We made a decision, in respect of retrofitting in people's homes, that it would not be possible in the first half of the year.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Oct 2021)

Eamon Ryan: There is a significant further increase in funding for next year. There is €109 million for the warmer home schemes. I understand the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has allocated €85 million for local authority housing. From memory, I understand approximately €120 million has also been allocated. A significant budget is available. That will not...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Oct 2021)

Eamon Ryan: In regard to Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, my understanding is that the HSE is clear on the transition of Navan to what it calls a model 2 hospital. The policy approach is based on very good medical and scientific advice. It involves major expansion. I understand from the figures I am provided that capital works are under way this year to bring a second theatre into operation as part of the...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Oct 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I can imagine the real concern not being able to get a GP out of hours is causing for the people of the Beara Peninsula. From my understanding, we are having difficulty in even getting a GP in many areas, let alone an out-of-hours service. That is a real concern. What is the problem within our health system? Many doctors are qualifying in our universities, at real expense to the State in...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Oct 2021)

Eamon Ryan: In answering an earlier question, I mentioned that we have a problem with energy security. Some of our gas-fired power stations have been down. It is likely that Moneypoint will continue to operate up to 2025 to provide back-up power when the wind is not blowing or other gas-fired generators are not available for any one of a variety of reasons. I do not envisage it operating beyond 2025....

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Oct 2021)

Eamon Ryan: -----and we should be, and are, thinking about how to export it.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Oct 2021)

Eamon Ryan: The Government has always listened to the Garda Commissioner. My understanding is that the legislation the Deputy is concerned about is at the pre-legislative scrutiny stage. That is probably the best place for all of us to discuss this. Members of the Government parties are on the committee as well as members of the Opposition. Part of the role of the committee's pre-legislative scrutiny...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Oct 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I agree with the Deputy about that route and others. For Shannon in particular, the connection to Heathrow is a vital part of connectivity for business and other interests in the region. I listened with interest to the radio this morning as various industry and university representatives spoke about how the region is still strong. The industrial estate in Shannon is still a really strong...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Oct 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I will ask the Minister of State, Deputy Feighan, to answer that question.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Oct 2021)

Eamon Ryan: The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, has introduced five Bills in this House on the rental sector. While much of this legislation may have related to Covid emergency measures, there is no shortage of ambition to address the rental crisis. I understand the Minister now intends to progress, with the greatest urgency, a specific new renters Bill to...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Oct 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I agree with the Deputy. I swam in Dublin Bay the weekend before last, and I now have an ear infection. I am now wondering if the two are connected.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Oct 2021)

Eamon Ryan: This is a public health issue.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Oct 2021)

Eamon Ryan: Thousands of people are swimming throughout the year. Last weekend, the water temperature was still high for this time of year, perhaps as a consequence of climate change. No matter how cold the water gets, swimmers will bathe throughout the winter. I agree with the Deputy that we need to give greater flexibility to local authorities in defining the bathing season. It does not end in...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Oct 2021)

Eamon Ryan: Yes.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Oct 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I agree with the Deputy that this is an issue of great concern. There has been a significant increase in the number of cases in recent years and coming out of Covid. This is one indicator of the effects Covid has had on the broader public's mental health. It is an acute issue. The Deputy's argument, which I am inclined to agree with, is that this is a funding issue rather than a...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Oct 2021)

Eamon Ryan: It is difficult to comment on a specific case. If the Deputy sends me the details, I will look into it. I agree with the general point about supporting the role of and acknowledging the need for and benefit of trade unions in our country. The strength of our country is that we have a partnership approach in which trade unions have a critical role to play. When the rights of people are...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Oct 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I agree with the Deputy that there is huge potential for a further income stream for farms and householders, particularly when fossil fuel energy prices are so high. The more solar panels we put on roofs of farm buildings, houses and businesses, the better. This has been a source of real frustrations for me. We hoped to have this over the line by the summer. It has been delayed by...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (21 Oct 2021)

Eamon Ryan: I thank the Deputy for his questions. They cover two different matters so I will start with his first point. I also visited the farm he mentioned in Louth last month. Sorry, it was in Meath. There is a big difference. I was very impressed. The mapping of soils and what goes on is very impressive. Similar to what I have seen and heard about the UCD Lyons Farm, there is use of mixed sward...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (21 Oct 2021)

Eamon Ryan: Stopping the lights going out is our critical concern. The Deputy knows there has been much public commentary about this because we had two large gas plants down and auctions that had not delivered new back-up power, meaning we are very tight for the next number of years. I do not believe the details are finalised but in speaking with the ESB and others, it seems the ESB is looking at those...