Results 15,461-15,480 of 15,536 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Strategic Plan 2012-17 and Other Issues: RTE (26 Mar 2014)

Helen McEntee: I would like to ask Ms O'Keeffe a question about the €160 television licence, which interests me. I do not know whether she will be able to answer it. Many television and radio advertisements are currently telling people what will happen if they do not pay. Are they working? Does Ms O'Keeffe know whether they have resulted in an increased number of people paying the television licence?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Strategic Plan 2012-17 and Other Issues: RTE (26 Mar 2014)

Helen McEntee: I was referring specifically to text messages to radio stations and so on and how they are vetted in terms of the identification of the person sending the message and whether what is being said about another person is true. We have all heard comments on radio about texts but we do not know from where they are coming.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Strategic Plan 2012-17 and Other Issues: RTE (26 Mar 2014)

Helen McEntee: I thank the delegation for the presentations. RTE provides an excellent and valuable service and none of us want to see its quality or programmes reduced. A lot of the presentations focused on funding and increased funding was sought but that is like asking how long is a piece of string. What kind of funding is sought? It has been said that funding comes with conditions and I want to know...

Government's Priorities for the Year Ahead: Statements (Resumed) (12 Mar 2014)

Helen McEntee: I welcome the opportunity to make a contribution as it is important to have an opportunity to air our opinions on the priorities for the year ahead and for the Government. We need to be positive because there is a lot that is right with this country. We need to build on what we have. The Government came to power three years ago with a mandate to fix the country and its finances. Fine Gael...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness (Vehicles Testing) (No. 2) Regulations 2013: Discussion (12 Mar 2014)

Helen McEntee: Most of the questions have been asked. I thank the delegates for their presentations and acknowledge their work. We have a vintage club in Nobber and much of the money raised throughout the year goes to local communities and local charities. However, road safety is an issue. Unfortunately, last year a young girl died during a vintage tractor run in my county. I appreciate this is...

Protection of Residential Mortgage Account Holders Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) [Private Members] (5 Mar 2014)

Helen McEntee: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this issue and also welcome the fact that Deputy McGrath has brought this Bill forward for consideration. I agree with the concept of the Bill but unfortunately I do not believe it offers much more than the agreement that was reached last week. Having said that, it is important that we are debating the issue. This issue was brought to my attention for...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Surveillance Issues: Minister for Justice and Equality (19 Feb 2014)

Helen McEntee: The Minister said that Verrimus was led to believe that there was a security breach. One of the questions that needs to be answered is who would have led it to believe that and why?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Surveillance Issues: Minister for Justice and Equality (19 Feb 2014)

Helen McEntee: In the past week or so, there have been many statements, counterstatements, accusations, counteraccusations and arguments. Heads are spinning from all the information, so my questions will be straightforward. Were the offices of GSOC bugged? If they were, by whom? If not, then why are there accusations that there was a security breach and information leaked from GSOC? Will this review...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Proposed Merger: Irish Sports Council and National Sports Campus Development Authority (19 Feb 2014)

Helen McEntee: I thank the organisations for their presentations. They have answered many questions and have been very clear and concise. I was going to raise the issue of the betting Bill and I know the sports capital grants will be announced this year and there is always a scramble for them. Last night I met an athletics organisation which raised approximately €85,000. Even if it got a fraction...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Textbooks Rental Scheme (18 Feb 2014)

Helen McEntee: 273. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) in County Meath will be included in the book rental scheme grant, in view of the fact that the parents and the school provided funding for a book rental scheme, which has impacted greatly on the schools financial resources; if he will reconsider this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7932/14]

Topical Issue Debate: Long-Term Illness Scheme Coverage (4 Feb 2014)

Helen McEntee: Down's syndrome is classified as a qualifying condition under the mental handicap heading of the LTI scheme. In most cases that happens, but having spoken to Down Syndrome Ireland and some families affected, there are cases where families have to go through an appeals process. This is a lot of hassle for them and puts stress and pressure on them. Perhaps, therefore, this issue might be...

Topical Issue Debate: Long-Term Illness Scheme Coverage (4 Feb 2014)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy White, for taking this Topical Issue. The reason I raised the matter is that since I was elected last year it has continuously come to my door. I suppose it is an issue that has been raised on several different levels. I am not the first person to raise this topic, not by a long shot. The Department of Health is under...

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 31 - Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (23 Jan 2014)

Helen McEntee: I am delighted the service has received the funding. It works extremely well with the Coast Guard and deserves every penny it gets.

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 31 - Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (23 Jan 2014)

Helen McEntee: In addition to the €11.5 million, what is the total spend for the sports capital programme this year? Is funding that was not drawn down last year included in this Estimate or will the Department wait to disperse it next January?

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 31 - Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (23 Jan 2014)

Helen McEntee: The Minister has been listening to our pleas for many months and I thank him for his help.

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 31 - Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (23 Jan 2014)

Helen McEntee: I agree with Deputy Ellis on roadside drug testing. It is a great initiative and it is brilliant that it is to be introduced. When does the Minister envisage its being introduced? When will the officers who will be carrying out the testing be trained in, and how will this happen? Funding for roads has obviously decreased because the Minister is trying to work within a budget. He has...

Charities (Amendment) Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) [Private Members] (22 Jan 2014)

Helen McEntee: I welcome the chance to speak in this debate. The community and voluntary sector is one of the largest in the State and it makes a huge contribution to the economy, not to mention society as a whole. We are all aware of community and voluntary groups' great importance. We recognise the role they play in supporting the State in areas such as health service delivery and community development....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Tendering of Bus Services: National Transport Authority (22 Jan 2014)

Helen McEntee: If the contract for a bus route is priced €100 less than that of another company, I find it difficult to believe that if the company is paying a driver and paying for diesel, paying VAT and paying for all the other costs involved, another company can provide the service for €100 less. That is where the problem lies.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Tendering of Bus Services: National Transport Authority (22 Jan 2014)

Helen McEntee: I thank Mr. Murphy for his presentation. What regulation is involved or what balances or checks will be in place for Bus Éireann routes that will be tendered out to private coach companies. Mr. Murphy spoke about performance targets and cost savings, but it all comes down to cost. I disagree with Deputy Ellis that the delivery of service will suffer as I believe it will be the smaller...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Traffic Management (19 Dec 2013)

Helen McEntee: 12. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the traffic statistics for Slane, County Meath during the recent toll holiday; the increase-decrease of HGV's through the village during the toll holiday period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54139/13]