Results 1,361-1,380 of 9,160 for speaker:Thomas Pringle

Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (9 Feb 2023)

Thomas Pringle: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to speak to this very important, although apparently only half-written, legislation. I will get to that later. As I understand it, this is the first of three Bills due to be introduced this year that will address reform in An Garda Síochána. There are many issues within An Garda Síochána and there is no doubt that reform is...

Nursing Home Charges and Disability Allowance Payments: Statements (9 Feb 2023)

Thomas Pringle: Unlike my colleague, I do not think this will be the start of the debate. I would say the Government is hoping it will be the end of it. According to a 2011 Department of Health report, up to 250,000 nursing home residents with medical cards were incorrectly charged for public nursing home care since 1976, yet the Attorney General’s report into the nursing home fees finds that the...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Feb 2023)

Thomas Pringle: I want to take this opportunity to thank Laura, who has been doing work experience of my office, for today’s question. She, like many other transition year, TY, students in my constituency in Donegal, and indeed across the country, are very concerned about leaving certificate reform. On 29 March 2022, the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, announced a plan for major reform of the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Oireachtas Members' Expenses (9 Feb 2023)

Thomas Pringle: 126. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the fund for extra security measures for politicians will be paid out every year or once per Oireachtas term for Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas; the annual cost of the grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6320/23]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Oireachtas Members' Expenses (9 Feb 2023)

Thomas Pringle: 127. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the new funding scheme that will be provided to Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas for safety measures at their homes will be extended to the elected members of local authorities across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6321/23]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (9 Feb 2023)

Thomas Pringle: 139. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government for a list of the number of social houses that have been built on islands around the Irish coast in the past 20 years, in tabular form; the islands on which they have been built; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6325/23]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Gaeltacht Policy (9 Feb 2023)

Thomas Pringle: 140. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his long-term plan to protect the islands and their Gaeltacht communities by building social houses; if he will instruct the local authorities to give extra points to native Irish speakers and people from the island community who have applied for homes on the islands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6326/23]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Gaeltacht Policy (9 Feb 2023)

Thomas Pringle: 141. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his long-term plan to protect the Gaeltacht communities; if he will instruct the local authorities to give extra points to native Irish speakers who have applied for homes in Gaeltacht areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6327/23]

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (8 Feb 2023)

Thomas Pringle: The Taoiseach did well for the first half of his reply. I was agreeing with much of what he was saying, but then he went and pulled out these tropes again that have been fired out everywhere, even by his backbenchers, regarding illegal immigrants coming to Ireland. The reality is, and the Taoiseach should check that with the Department of Justice, which is not the most friendly towards...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (8 Feb 2023)

Thomas Pringle: The Taoiseach should say and acknowledge that because it is vital. The right is using this trope throughout the country to attack certain people and put an image out there that those people are illegal immigrants who are coming here in hordes and taking over our country.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (8 Feb 2023)

Thomas Pringle: The Taoiseach should say it straight that that is what it is. Those people are legally here to claim asylum. They work and live here under our system. We are responsible for their safety when they are here. If the Taoiseach could acknowledge that, it would do an awful lot in terms of putting it right. He should say it constantly because it needs to be said. His backbenchers need to say...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (8 Feb 2023)

Thomas Pringle: And asylum seekers.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (8 Feb 2023)

Thomas Pringle: Why did the Taoiseach lie earlier on, then?

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (8 Feb 2023)

Thomas Pringle: I will withdraw it. Why did the Taoiseach say the exact opposite earlier on?

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (8 Feb 2023)

Thomas Pringle: I want to start by saying that our thoughts are with the people of Türkiye and Syria at this difficult time. I wish to speak, in the same vein as the previous speaker, about the rise in racism in this country. I am sure the Taoiseach agrees the racist sentiment which is growing and has become a lot more mainstream in Ireland in recent months is incredibly concerning and needs to be...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (8 Feb 2023)

Thomas Pringle: 168. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when the caravan purchase loan scheme will be operational; what the maximum funding will be; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6165/23]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Aquaculture Industry (8 Feb 2023)

Thomas Pringle: 485. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the process that has been undertaken since 2020 to December 2022 by the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board to obtain technical advice in relation to oyster licences (details supplied), which are subject of appeals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5736/23]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Aquaculture Industry (8 Feb 2023)

Thomas Pringle: 486. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of appeals of licences to cultivate Pacific oysters currently before the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board for decision, disaggregated by the year that the appeal was lodged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5737/23]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Aquaculture Industry (8 Feb 2023)

Thomas Pringle: 487. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of appeals of licences to cultivate Pacific oysters that the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board has determined in each year from 2010 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5738/23]

Address by H.E. Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament (2 Feb 2023)

Thomas Pringle: It is interesting that another president of Europe is present today, although President Metsola represents the European Parliament. The most recent president we were blessed with was the President of the Commission where, arguably, all the power lies, the members of which are all unelected bureaucrats. Not to be undone, and to give the impression that the EU is a democratic organisation, a...