Results 161-180 of 3,996 for speaker:Martin Kenny

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rural Schemes (10 Oct 2024)

Martin Kenny: I wish to raise with the Minister of State the issue of rural proofing. It is something I understand the Minister said last year would be published. The question refers to the "published guidelines" but I understand that they are not yet published and are still in draft form. I have had a read through them. We have many areas of the country where there is a decline in population and rural...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rural Schemes (10 Oct 2024)

Martin Kenny: I welcome that. We need to see progress on all of this. There are many areas where we can see problems with rural areas being left behind and not getting the kind of investment they require. The glaring example, for those of us who live in the west of Ireland, is certainly the western rail corridor. For years, we have been told it is going to be developed and yet, they continually look at...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rural Schemes (10 Oct 2024)

Martin Kenny: On the issues of planning, and the Minister of State mentioned the big infrastructure projects, the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, has said he will not build the western rail corridor from Sligo and Collooney right the way down to Galway. That is a huge problem, and this is a Green Minister telling us he wants to invest in rural Ireland. It is not happening. It is not happening in our road...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Library Services (10 Oct 2024)

Martin Kenny: I ask about capital funding for new library buildings. I understand approximately €100 million was to be allocated over five years. Unfortunately my colleague, Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire, cannot be here this morning. I am taking the question on his behalf. He has a particular interest in a proposed library in the Mahon area in Cork. Capital funding was announced last year. When...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Library Services (10 Oct 2024)

Martin Kenny: We understand that work is being done as we see it in many places around the country. I understand that 33 smaller projects are happening and the fear is that when they are all funded, there will not be enough left for the larger capital projects that are required. The one in Mahon is an example of that. It is an entire district without any library facility and we need to get one built...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Library Services (10 Oct 2024)

Martin Kenny: From the notes I have, I am aware that a site has been identified and the preliminary application has been placed with the Department. I understand that more work remains to be done. We need to see movement with haste on Mahon. At locations around the country library buildings are in poor repair and also need investment. A commitment to that would be a commitment to the communities in...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (10 Oct 2024)

Martin Kenny: 126. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the work that has been undertaken by his Department and the agencies under his remit to address the issue of fibre broadband connectivity blackspots in commercial areas; if his Department has quantified the number of premises impacted by this issue; if not, when this will take place; if he envisages that State aid or...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (10 Oct 2024)

Martin Kenny: 127. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his Department is considering handing the work of rolling out fibre broadband to connectivity blackspots in commercial areas to National Broadband Ireland; if so, the work that has been undertaken by his Department to consider this proposal; if a further tender process is required in the scenario that a public...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: National Dialogue on Women in Agriculture: Discussion (9 Oct 2024)

Martin Kenny: I thank the witnesses for their contributions. They are singing to the choir here. When I was 19, I put up mushroom tunnels, grew mushrooms and worked in horticulture. I spent many years working with mushroom growers all through the west and down into the midlands, and in many of those cases, there was diversification on the farm. In probably two thirds of them, the women ran the mushroom...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: National Dialogue on Women in Agriculture: Discussion (9 Oct 2024)

Martin Kenny: Unfortunately, I have to leave for a vote in the Chamber. I thank the witnesses for their engagement over a long period this evening.

Electricity Costs (Emergency Measures) Domestic Accounts Bill 2024: Second Stage (9 Oct 2024)

Martin Kenny: Energy prices and the cost of fuel are some of the biggest issues facing people. I am always intrigued when I hear many of the various organisations that comment on the economy warning against investment in infrastructure and how it could create inflation. The truth is that the two biggest drivers of inflation in this country are the costs of housing and energy. Investing in those two...

Planning and Development (An Taisce) Bill 2024: Second Stage [Private Members] (9 Oct 2024)

Martin Kenny: Rural planning issues have been around for quite a long time. I was first elected to Leitrim County Council in 2004 and An Taisce was something people talked about a lot at meetings in regard to objecting to planning and so on. However, in recent years we have not heard as much about it. The problems we have in many of these situations is the guidelines that are in place are too...

Spending of Public Funds by the Government: Motion [Private Members] (8 Oct 2024)

Martin Kenny: The level of anger around the country about the phone pouch scheme is quite shocking. The Minister, Deputy Foley, mentioned principals to whom she has spoken who praised the initiative. I have heard nobody anywhere praising it. I have spoken to several principals and teachers and they are all saying the same, namely, that they need money for summer works schemes, special needs assistants...

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024: Second Stage (8 Oct 2024)

Martin Kenny: We are not opposing the Bill. We recognise the important role that approved housing bodies have in delivering housing in many parts of the country, not least when it comes to affordable rent. The reality, however, in the Minister of State's county, County Mayo, as well as in counties Leitrim and Sligo, not one affordable house has been built under this Government, and that is a problem....

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Eligibility (8 Oct 2024)

Martin Kenny: 314. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her Department recognises the UK personal independence payment as a disability payment for the purpose of applying for the free travel pass as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40026/24]

Financial Resolutions 2024 - Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (2 Oct 2024)

Martin Kenny: I am glad to have the opportunity to respond to the budget and the efforts that have been made with regard to agriculture. The broader point is that the Government had huge financial resources to bring to the table for this budget. Many people out there, particularly those in rural areas and across the western seaboard, recognise that it is a part of the world that has had the least...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Challenges Facing the Horse Sport Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Oct 2024)

Martin Kenny: I thank the Chair and everyone who has attended today. I am new to the committee and was not here for previous engagements on this topic but I have read the opening statements, done some research and missed a few calls from people as well. Basically, there is a clear and serious breakdown in relationships here. One of the things that came across from reading through the opening...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Challenges Facing the Horse Sport Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Oct 2024)

Martin Kenny: Regarding transparency, which was mentioned, we hear about places on the board, appointments, how things are managed and the difficulties around all of that. I take it this comes from past experience. Are there attempts to resolve these issues that are not being engaged with as actively as they could be by the sector?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Challenges Facing the Horse Sport Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Oct 2024)

Martin Kenny: The reality is every organisation and sector needs a governing body, someone who sets and maintains the rules to ensure it is done properly and all of that. HSI clearly has that role. What is the status of HSI? A private company was mentioned. Is it a limited company by guarantee? What way is it set up? Is it a private limited company by guarantee?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Challenges Facing the Horse Sport Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Oct 2024)

Martin Kenny: It is a voluntary organisation.