Results 121-140 of 3,828 for speaker:Barry Cowen in 'Dáil debates'

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Broadband Infrastructure (17 Dec 2020)

Barry Cowen: I thank the Minister for her response and the details contained therein and acknowledge the progress made to date, the commitment for quarter 1 and, in the case of my own constituency, to the five outstanding BCPs due for connection in quarter 1, mainly in south Offaly. I welcome that. I note what has been said on blended working and the connectivity required in relation to hubs. I note...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Broadband Infrastructure (17 Dec 2020)

Barry Cowen: 5. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the establishment of a network of broadband connection points in counties Offaly and Laois; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43602/20]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Broadband Infrastructure (17 Dec 2020)

Barry Cowen: The question speaks for itself. I would like the Minister to respond to the question about the roll-out of broadband in my constituency and other rural constituencies like it. It is incumbent on me and other public representatives in my constituency to work tirelessly in an effort to ensure that the transition away from peat power generation meets with the approval of those we represent....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Northern Ireland (15 Dec 2020)

Barry Cowen: I thank the Minister of State for his response. Deputy Smith made reference to a report that he sought acknowledgement of, as well as a commitment on the part of the Government to further explore and to raise with the British Government in the context of our aspiration for the truth to emanate from such hard work on the part of many, not least the O'Reilly and Stanley families. The...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Northern Ireland (15 Dec 2020)

Barry Cowen: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to speak to this matter. I was born in 1967 and as a child of the Troubles, although indirectly, I am very much aware of their impact on our country. I remember various and major atrocities as they occurred during my lifetime, whether they were at Dublin, Monaghan, Warrenpoint, Birmingham, Enniskillen or Omagh. These atrocities had an impact...

Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2020: Motion (1 Dec 2020)

Barry Cowen: I note from the report of last week's meeting of the Joint Committee on Agriculture and the Marine that all bar one supported and approved the funding, having raised various queries and sought some assurances conducive to accountability measures and assurances from the Minister relating to horse and greyhound racing. The one objection, of course, was around the greyhound element of the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (26 Nov 2020)

Barry Cowen: I thank the Minister for his response on the state of play nationally, as well as in my constituency. I ask him to consider to consider a situation that has arisen in recent weeks. I received a representation from a hotel in my constituency. Unfortunately, many hotels, restaurants and pubs cannot meet the payment demands of suppliers. Yes, they are gladly availing of the schemes the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (26 Nov 2020)

Barry Cowen: Many of my constituents involved in businesses that have been severely impacted by the restrictions greatly appreciate and acknowledge the commitment the Government has made in its response to the pandemic by virtue of the massive amount of funding being pumped into business to give businesses an opportunity to be in a position to take advantage of the uplift if and when the restrictions are...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (26 Nov 2020)

Barry Cowen: 66. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of businesses in counties Offaly and Laois that have qualified for support under the Covid restrictions support scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39197/20]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (26 Nov 2020)

Barry Cowen: My question relates to the scheme to support businesses and self-employed people who trade from a premises impacted by level 3 plus restrictions. The scheme is very welcome and is another example of the expensive but necessary financial interventions that have been made by Government. I would appreciate if the Minister could relate the details of the uptake of the scheme, including...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Issues (26 Nov 2020)

Barry Cowen: No. I thank the Minister; he has been more than forthcoming.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Issues (26 Nov 2020)

Barry Cowen: 7. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether the actions taken by Hungary and Poland are undermining the effective functioning of the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38445/20]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Issues (26 Nov 2020)

Barry Cowen: I acknowledge that the Minister answered a similar question earlier and went into great detail. I just want to seek his response to and comments on reports regarding the Hungarian justice minister's comments on reported plans to set up a rule of law institute, hitting back at criticisms regarding the decline in democratic norms in the Poland and Hungary. She also stated that it was "hoped...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Issues (26 Nov 2020)

Barry Cowen: I thank the Minister for his reply. I reiterate, from my perspective and that of many others, our acknowledgement of the ongoing politicking taking place within the EU in an effort to address this issue, notwithstanding the ongoing efforts to which the Minister referred and the hearings that have been taking place for the past two years. Our ability to respond effectively to Covid-19 and...

Covid-19: Statements (24 Nov 2020)

Barry Cowen: On balance, our nation has responded well to the pandemic. We owe our relative success to our front-line workers and the Irish people. I recognise the leadership and decision making - initially of the caretaker Government and then the new Government - that sought to protect the vulnerable primarily and assist the economy by means of many expensive but worthwhile interventions in a wide and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces Strength (17 Nov 2020)

Barry Cowen: 71. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence when he expects the numbers in the Defence Forces to reach the approved threshold of 9,500; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36621/20]

River Shannon Management Agency Bill 2020: Second Stage [Private Members] (3 Nov 2020)

Barry Cowen: I thank the proposers of tonight's Bill, which I welcome. I agree with many of those who have proposed it that it complements what we had sought in opposition. It also complements remarks I made six weeks ago, as a previous speaker noted, when I sought an intervention similar to that proposed to deal with the issues around the Shannon flood risk management agency. The response from the...

Level 5 Response to Covid-19: Statements (23 Oct 2020)

Barry Cowen: Not everybody will agree with the Government's decision on Monday to move the country to level 5 restrictions. However, not everybody was privy to the reasoning, methodology and science the CMO and NPHET used to support their call for a six-week period of level 5 restrictions. Both the Government and society are better conditioned and prepared to meet the severe demands of level 5 than they...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Just Transition Commissioner (22 Sep 2020)

Barry Cowen: Obviously applications for such funding cannot be forthcoming because there is no potential for a legal interest in the applicant while the present situation continues. While I accept the bona fides of the Minister's response, I would have thought it would be impossible for the ESB to make an application for permission to retain the structures which would supersede the previous permission...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Just Transition Commissioner (22 Sep 2020)

Barry Cowen: 74. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the actions he has taken to date to implement the recommendations of the report by the just transition commissioner. [25132/20]