Results 15,481-15,500 of 15,536 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Second Stage (18 Dec 2013)

Helen McEntee: I wish to share my time with Deputy Alan Farrell.

Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Second Stage (18 Dec 2013)

Helen McEntee: Deputies will have to forgive me; I am out of breath, because I ran from the Department of the Taoiseach to be here. I thank the Acting Chairman. To say I am delighted to be speaking on this legislation and seeing it before the Dáil is possibly the biggest understatement of the year. The legislation means so much to so many people who have put up with pyrite for so many years in what...

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill: Committee Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Helen McEntee: I move amendment No. 1: In page 8, line 27, to delete “6” and substitute “7”.At present, once a person receives 12 penalty points he or she is banned from driving. It has been brought to my attention that if a new system comes into play whereby a person who is caught speeding receives three penalty points, a learner or novice driver who equals or exceeds six...

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill: Committee Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Helen McEntee: Would the proposed change be viewed as giving people an option to behave recklessly on the roads?

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill: Committee Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Helen McEntee: I move amendment No. 2: In page 8, line 38, to delete “6” and substitute “7”.

Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects Status (11 Dec 2013)

Helen McEntee: The building of a new secondary school in the town of Kells is an extremely important issue for the town and the surrounding communities. The local community supports the building of a new school but wants it to be completed as soon as possible. It is equally important that the right site is chosen and the future and current needs are met. I and my colleague, Deputy Hannigan, other local...

Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects Status (11 Dec 2013)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Minister for his response. There are technical issues that have to be addressed, such as costs and timely delivery. The fact that the landowner is willing to do a land swap and this could be completed within a short timeframe, under three months, would significantly speed up the process. A full review of both sites would be very worthwhile and will make clear what has been said.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Irish Language Issues (11 Dec 2013)

Helen McEntee: 123. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps being taken by his Department to progress the recognition of Irish Sign Language as an official language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53258/13]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Youth Services Funding (11 Dec 2013)

Helen McEntee: 124. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the funding that will be made available to an organisation (details supplied) in view of the fact that it saves his Department thousands every year through the services it provides and by keeping people out of jail or juvenile facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53259/13]

Electricity Infrastructure: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (4 Dec 2013)

Helen McEntee: We have seen tonight that this is a very emotive issue. We have heard how many people are very upset and angry and they want to know where things are going and what is happening. We cannot blame those people as the issue is very contentious; we are wondering if the lines should be put overhead or underground and if it is feasible for the lines to go underground. We are also asking what is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Electricity Transmission Network: Discussion with EirGrid (4 Dec 2013)

Helen McEntee: The problem I and many other people have is that when the consultation process started again, many overground routes were proposed but no regard was had to whether undergrounding was feasible, or whether it would cost three times or 20 times as much. No underground route was given to people along with the overground routes that were proposed. That is the problem here. If this issue had...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Electricity Transmission Network: Discussion with EirGrid (4 Dec 2013)

Helen McEntee: When open days are held as part of the public consultation process, people need to see that possible underground routes are being addressed in the same way as the overhead routes. If that is happening, it is not coming across to people on the ground.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Electricity Transmission Network: Discussion with EirGrid (4 Dec 2013)

Helen McEntee: I thank Mr. Slye and his team for coming before the committee. Obviously this is a very emotive and contentious issue, but I recognise that it is very important. We all recognise the importance of updating and expanding the national grid. EirGrid has an extremely important job to do, but we, as public representatives, have the job of representing the people who have elected us. The people...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Generation Issues (4 Dec 2013)

Helen McEntee: 88. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the Irish Planning Institute's claim that the renewable export framework is premature without an overall national energy plan and the completion of a national landscape strategy, which is required in response to Ireland’s ratification of the European landscape convention in 2002. [51991/13]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Fire Safety Issues (4 Dec 2013)

Helen McEntee: 105. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government following the evacuation of apartments in Navan due to fire safety issues, and in view of the fact that there have been other similar incidents in recent months, the measures being taken to ensure that other apartment blocks are inspected with regard to fire safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51992/13]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: EirGrid: Discussion with Chairman Designate (3 Dec 2013)

Helen McEntee: I welcome Mr. O'Connor to the committee and wish to reflect on some issues raised in his presentation. First, a key priority of EirGrid is to operate a safe, reliable and economic electric system. Health and safety issues have arisen in recent months and more so in recent weeks. As Eirgrid's chairman designate, will Mr. O'Connor investigate these matters further since they have upset many...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: EirGrid: Discussion with Chairman Designate (3 Dec 2013)

Helen McEntee: EirGrid is obviously adhering to research that has been conducted at EU level, but no actual study has been undertaken here in Ireland. Is this something that could possibly be looked at by EirGrid? In his capacity as chairman designate, could Mr. O'Connor raise this and bring it to EirGrid's attention?

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2013
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Supplementary) (26 Nov 2013)

Helen McEntee: Like my colleagues, I thank the Minister for the additional funding invested in our roads. Any further funding will always be welcome, but we understand there are cuts in this area, like everywhere else. The construction industry scheme, CIS, has worked in my county and that is great. At the same time, we do not like having to ask people for money for roads. This is an issue that will not...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Prevention and Treatment of Lyme Disease: Discussion (21 Nov 2013)

Helen McEntee: Like Deputy Tóibín, I am not a member of this committee. I have come across this issue in my constituency. I thank everybody for their presentations. The debate that has taken place on this matter in recent years needs to be stepped up. Obviously, this is what is happening. Many questions have been asked. As far as I am aware, none of the insurance companies in Ireland provide...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: EirGrid Grid25 Project: Discussion (20 Nov 2013)

Helen McEntee: I meant the figure of €30 million in a negative light in that, regardless of whether it goes back to the public, it is not good. I did not mean that not going overhead costs €30 million but that we must sort this out now because it is affecting the public and taxpayers' money.