Results 1,521-1,540 of 6,044 for speaker:John O'Mahony

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Proposed Sale of Aer Lingus: (Resumed) Virgin Atlantic Airlines (2 Apr 2015)

John O'Mahony: I understand and accept that. I was wondering if Mr. Thompson could give us a range of options that are open, not the final position.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Proposed Sale of Aer Lingus: (Resumed) Virgin Atlantic Airlines (2 Apr 2015)

John O'Mahony: I respect that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Proposed Sale of Aer Lingus: (Resumed) Virgin Atlantic Airlines (2 Apr 2015)

John O'Mahony: I thank Mr. Thompson and Mr. Hodges on behalf of the committee for attending today to give the views of Virgin Atlantic. It was a useful discussion. As has been demonstrated by the questions asked, the members want to examine this matter thoroughly and to get the best deal for the Irish people and Irish passengers. The witnesses have fed into that debate which has been helpful. There may...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Minerals Development Bill 2014: Discussion (1 Apr 2015)

John O'Mahony: I thank Mr. Breslin. I will now turn to the members and ask them to note that the Bill is at an advanced stage and it is my understanding that this committee is not to consider it as pre-legislative scrutiny, but to engage and look at the complexities and the scale of the draft Bill.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: RTE: Governance Issues (25 Mar 2015)

John O'Mahony: We are dealing with No. 8, engagement with RTE on governance issues. The purpose of this morning's meeting is to engage with RTE in order to discuss governance at the station and the policies and procedures in place in order to ensure political balance in programming and report. On behalf of the joint committee, I welcome back Ms Moya Doherty, chairman of the RTE Authority, Mr. Kevin...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: RTE: Governance Issues (25 Mar 2015)

John O'Mahony: I thank Ms Doherty and Mr. Bakhurst. I will make a general observation before handing over to members. Towards the end of his presentation, Mr. Bakhurst referred to light entertainment shows. He articulated the sense of balance that RTE gives to current affairs programming. I will not mention particular examples, but high profile presenters-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: RTE: Governance Issues (25 Mar 2015)

John O'Mahony: I am talking about RTE.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: RTE: Governance Issues (25 Mar 2015)

John O'Mahony: I am referring to high profile presenters who would not have their guard up. From some of RTE's current affairs programming, it is obvious that the presenters are conscious of the need for balance. In recent times, though, there seems to have been a trend among light entertainment shows, which are increasingly interviewing political persons, not to have their guard up or a sense of balance...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: RTE: Governance Issues (25 Mar 2015)

John O'Mahony: My concern is that it is not only in interviews with political people but also with celebrities that a particular bias might appear. There is a responsibility on the interviewer in such cases to ensure a sense of balance. I am concerned that in some cases this will not happen.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: RTE: Governance Issues (25 Mar 2015)

John O'Mahony: I would prefer if people would ask general questions. I know people want to be specific and we are all from different parties and hold different views. I ask the members to generalise rather than be specific.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: RTE: Governance Issues (25 Mar 2015)

John O'Mahony: Deputy Patrick O'Donovan has made that point before. Deputy Michael Colreavy is next, to be followed by Deputy Eamonn Maloney and Michael Fitzmaurice. That is the order, although I know others wish to speak also.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: RTE: Governance Issues (25 Mar 2015)

John O'Mahony: Two Deputies wanted to get in, but as I am conscious of the Order of Business, I will let Senators John Whelan and Paschal Mooney in first.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: RTE: Governance Issues (25 Mar 2015)

John O'Mahony: Will the delegates bank those questions? I will now call Senator Whelan because I am conscious of people wanting to get in.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: RTE: Governance Issues (25 Mar 2015)

John O'Mahony: There are a lot of questions. I am not sure how many boxes of chocolates were handed out. Mr. Bakhurst might take the questions in order.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: RTE: Governance Issues (25 Mar 2015)

John O'Mahony: In respect of Irish Water the balance was provided on "Morning Ireland" one morning coming up to a protest when Cian McCormack interviewed members of a group water scheme in Galway and asked the chairman if he would go to the protest. His reply was that those in the group water scheme were paying for water for 30 years and were glad to do so. There are many people in such schemes throughout...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: RTE: Governance Issues (25 Mar 2015)

John O'Mahony: Senator Paschal Mooney wanted to make a point. The clock is ticking.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: RTE: Governance Issues (25 Mar 2015)

John O'Mahony: I would like to bring the debate to a conclusion by thanking the witnesses from RTE for attending this morning's meeting. I think it has been a useful exchange. It is important for representatives of RTE to hear the views of Members of the Oireachtas, whose role is to articulate the views of the public, in many respects. It is important from our perspective that we understand the sense of...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff Recruitment (25 Mar 2015)

John O'Mahony: 62. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of persons who have been called to fill clerical officer posts from the panel (details supplied) for counties Mayo, Sligo, Roscommon and Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12302/15]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes Status (24 Mar 2015)

John O'Mahony: 297. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the plans for flood relief work in respect of a town (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11152/15]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Eligibility (24 Mar 2015)

John O'Mahony: 364. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a payment following an appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11668/15]