Results 1,681-1,700 of 18,442 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Banking Sector (22 Sep 2022)

Brendan Smith: The Minister may recall I have been raising with him constantly in this House the difficulties arising for customers of KBC Bank and Ulster Bank due to their exiting the State. As he will be aware, the Border region areas, such as Cavan-Monaghan, had a heavy reliance on Ulster Bank, which had a great network of branches in the past that, unfortunately, diminished big time. The exiting of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Banking Sector (22 Sep 2022)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister. His Department and the Central Bank have had more engagement with stakeholders since we debated this issue early in the process, and I welcome that. He stated that at the end of August, only 24% of customers had closed their accounts, which means 76% of people had yet to do so, with only 40% of the timeframe remaining. It is not practical to think this process of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Banking Sector (22 Sep 2022)

Brendan Smith: In the consultation the Minister and the Central Bank will have with the banks, I urge ongoing contact with the Financial Services Union, which has a great overview of what is happening at branch level and throughout the State. I compliment John O'Connell and his colleagues in the Financial Services Union on their advocacy on behalf not just of their union members but of the public in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Expenditure (22 Sep 2022)

Brendan Smith: A project that I have discussed with the Minister previously is the proposed east-west route from Sligo to Dundalk, via counties Fermanagh, Cavan and Monaghan. Parts of that road have been upgraded. It carries a large volume of traffic. It is an important artery in the Border region and the northern half of our country. I sincerely hope that dedicated funding can be provided in 2023 to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Expenditure (22 Sep 2022)

Brendan Smith: 11. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total capital funding provided for his Department in 2022; the expenditure profile at the end of August 2022; if there is likely to be an underspend in any particular area, if so, if additional funding will be provided for the non-national road network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46316/22]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Expenditure (22 Sep 2022)

Brendan Smith: 23. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total funding provided in 2022 for the non-national road network; if he will ensure that increased funding will be provided for this road network in 2023 due to the need for an increased investment in these roads in areas such as counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46315/22]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Expenditure (22 Sep 2022)

Brendan Smith: I thank my colleagues for assisting me because I have a meeting at 10 a.m. I hope that there is not an underspend on the capital side of the departmental budget at this particular time. If there is, I would like a reallocation of funding for the non-national road network. Our regional and county roads need more investment. Thankfully, there is an increasing in population in rural Ireland....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Expenditure (22 Sep 2022)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister for his detailed reply. He negotiated very well in his Estimates campaign last year. There is a substantial spend under each heading. I sincerely hope that he will secure increased funding for the regional and local roads and the non-national road network for the coming year. As I mentioned earlier, thankfully there is a growth in population in rural areas. My own...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector (22 Sep 2022)

Brendan Smith: 123. To ask the Minister for Finance the discussions he and his Department have had with the Central Bank in relation to the difficulties that have arisen for some customers of banks (details supplied) in opening new accounts with other financial institutions. [46295/22]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (22 Sep 2022)

Brendan Smith: 216. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will give urgent consideration to the requests of national organisations (details supplied) in relation to the need to reduce costs for this sector through reduction in taxation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46504/22]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement: Discussion (22 Sep 2022)

Brendan Smith: I welcome the witnesses and thank them for their initial contributions. It is obvious that a great deal of work is being undertaken by the three commissions. Importantly, it was stated that there is a framework for co-operation. It has often been a concern for us when there are different commissions whose work may run in parallel that there might be duplication and a lesser return overall...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement: Discussion (22 Sep 2022)

Brendan Smith: There is a long border in my constituency, Cavan-Monaghan, but I have not been getting complaints from people being stopped. I refer to the atmosphere and the fear people feel. Ms Kilpatrick stated people are starting to carry passports. When I go from one part of my constituency to the other I would need to carry a passport because I go through Fermanagh.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement: Discussion (22 Sep 2022)

Brendan Smith: I had not thought of that. Ms Kilpatrick is creating more fear now. I thank the witnesses for their contributions.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Sep 2022)

Brendan Smith: Ireland is one of the few countries that impose a high level of tax on print and digital newspapers. NewsBrands Ireland and Local Ireland, representing our national and regional newspapers, such as The Anglo-Celtand The Northern Standard, have cogently outlined the crucial need to reduce the VAT rate on newspapers, in print and digital formats, to 0%. Despite our differences with newspapers...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (21 Sep 2022)

Brendan Smith: 30. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of driver testers that have been let-go by the Road Safety Authority; if this is acceptable given the unacceptable delays in applicants having tests at centres such as Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46158/22]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (21 Sep 2022)

Brendan Smith: 38. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ensure that funding is provided to progress the Clontibret to the border N2 road project; if his attention has been drawn to there being an urgent need to upgrade this section of road due to the high volume of traffic and its importance for a large part of the island of Ireland, north and south; and if he will make a...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (20 Sep 2022)

Brendan Smith: 292. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when the income limits for social housing will be increased for counties Cavan and Monaghan given that the present levels are totally unrealistic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46040/22]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (20 Sep 2022)

Brendan Smith: 342. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of school transport for a family (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45802/22]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (20 Sep 2022)

Brendan Smith: 343. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for school transport for children (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45803/22]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (20 Sep 2022)

Brendan Smith: 579. To ask the Minister for Health if he will ensure that the necessary preparatory work including planning and design will be progressed, without delay, in relation to the provision of much-needed facilities at a health care centre (details supplied) in view of the present inadequate accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46039/22]