Results 1,421-1,440 of 3,119 for speaker:James O'Connor

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2021: University of Limerick (18 May 2023)

James O'Connor: No.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2021: University of Limerick (18 May 2023)

James O'Connor: Who makes the decision?

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2021: University of Limerick (18 May 2023)

James O'Connor: She does. You could not make it up. If it was not so serious it would be laughable. That is the point. I genuinely cannot accept that, and nobody here should.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2021: University of Limerick (18 May 2023)

James O'Connor: It reminds me of that scene from "The Simpsons" and the mystery box. That is the problem.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2021: University of Limerick (18 May 2023)

James O'Connor: I am seeing this from a PR point of view, and for the reputation of the university. UL is a fine university and a fantastic centre of education. However, from a governance perspective, the harm and damage the university is doing by following this course of action is doing incredible reputational damage to UL, and to the good people in there too.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2021: University of Limerick (18 May 2023)

James O'Connor: Maybe that will be the outcome. It will have to go to court. The Chair cannot interrupt me here because my point is lost. It is a very important point.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2021: University of Limerick (18 May 2023)

James O'Connor: I understand sub judice. Is that the general direction of travel on this issue? I do not know. I have not seen it, and nor has anyone here. The point I am making is that if that is where it is going to go, that is where it is going to go. Sitting on it, which is the point we are all making, means that it will roll on and on. Now, my time is up unfortunately. Somebody else might take...

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Sports Events (18 May 2023)

James O'Connor: 31. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will outline when the Public Consultation on Designation of Major Sporting Events will be completed; does she anticipate much additional sporting events to be added to the list; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23659/23]

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Tourism Policy (18 May 2023)

James O'Connor: 71. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her Department would engage with a local committee (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23658/23]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (18 May 2023)

James O'Connor: 133. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government how he is promoting innovation in social home delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23656/23]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (18 May 2023)

James O'Connor: 107. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government how many buyers have now been approved under the first home scheme; how many of these approved applications are from Cork county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23657/23]

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Irish Language (18 May 2023)

James O'Connor: 258. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will outline the funding programmes in relation to the Shared Island Unit that are under consideration to support the teaching of the Irish language in Northern Ireland. [13206/23]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Sectoral Emissions Ceiling: Minister for Transport (17 May 2023)

James O'Connor: It is good to have the Minister with us for this discussion. I want to make a number of points. We have been in government since July 2020. Since the Minister has held his portfolio, and this is not a reflection on him but on the system we all have to deal with, not a single kilometre of new rail line has been laid in the country. This is a reflection of the chaotic planning system we...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Sectoral Emissions Ceiling: Minister for Transport (17 May 2023)

James O'Connor: With the indulgence of the Cathaoirleach, I just want to make a suggestion concerning planning. I do not like throwing stones without giving solutions. There is a big habit here in the Oireachtas of doing this. Regarding An Bord Pleanála, and Ms Oonagh Buckley said she was open to this as well, when the board is being reformed, we must separate out the system where there is a key...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Sectoral Emissions Ceiling: Minister for Transport (17 May 2023)

James O'Connor: As I said, we have been in government for as long as we have been now and we must go back to the electorate to tell them we have delivered. At the moment, though, it is hard to see where the progress is. Congestion is getting worse. We are not delivering at the pace we need to rail and other public infrastructure. This was my two cent on the issue.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Sectoral Emissions Ceiling: Minister for Transport (17 May 2023)

James O'Connor: That is simply not true because there is a project in Mallow, the relief road, which is ready to go tomorrow and the Department will not allocate the funding. I ask the Minister to please refrain from making claims that he cannot stand over. As in Mallow, the same situation applies in Castlemartyr and the road I was promised there. I have been waiting for about four months for someone in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Sectoral Emissions Ceiling: Minister for Transport (17 May 2023)

James O'Connor: With all due respect, it is piecemeal. When we, as backbenchers, go to the Minister or his Department to ask where our road project is, we are told there is no money. How in God's name can the Minister stand over that when we are running a €17 billion surplus?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Sectoral Emissions Ceiling: Minister for Transport (17 May 2023)

James O'Connor: That is not enough.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Sectoral Emissions Ceiling: Minister for Transport (17 May 2023)

James O'Connor: It is just not enough. The Dunkettle project alone will cost over €200 million. Can I say something else about road projects? People do not like to talk about successes in Irish public policy but road construction has been one of the real leaders when it comes to delivering projects on time and under budget. It happened on the Baile Bhairne to Macroom project and on the Dunkettle...