Results 1,821-1,840 of 2,078 for speaker:Richard O'Donoghue

Impact of Covid-19 Restrictions: Motion [Private Members] (16 Dec 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: I thank the Deputy. We are discussing the roll-out of a vaccine. I am not anti-vaccine, but I want the public to be given information so that if people have concerns and questions, they can be addressed. People should not be dictated to or threatened into taking the vaccine. I have publicly stated that, when the vaccine is available to me, I will seek medical advice from my own GP on when...

Impact of Covid-19 Restrictions: Motion [Private Members] (16 Dec 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: I did not do that - the Minister did. However, when people have questions about the vaccine or they have concerns because they have suffered from depression, anxiety or so on, the Government tries to push something on them and is using the media to shove it down people's throats like a police state. Ireland is a free country and people are entitled to ask questions about what is going into...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Land Issues (16 Dec 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: 123. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the position on preserving land in rural areas in which derelict sites are in abundance for potential social housing and commercial use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44010/20]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing (16 Dec 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: 132. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of applicants for social housing in County Limerick to date in 2020, by district in tabular form; the number of social housing units completed to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44009/20]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (16 Dec 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: 349. To ask the Minister for Health his views on indemnity cover for Covid-19 vaccines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44008/20]

Homeless Prevention Bill 2020: Second Stage [Private Members] (15 Dec 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: I welcome the introduction of this legislation by Sinn Féin. That party is trying to give dignity to those who are about to be evicted through no fault of their own. The Bill highlights the crisis that happens before a person is made homeless. While I acknowledge the noble sentiment behind it, the problem is bigger than provisions to safeguard people before they are made homeless....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing Assistance Payment: Discussion (15 Dec 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: I thank the witnesses for the presentation. I have listened to the speakers. I am living in County Limerick very near the Cork border and there is no affordable housing in the area. I am a father of four and recently I became a grandfather. We went into the property market to look for a house for my son, his partner and my grandchild. I have a very good knowledge of County Limerick....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Housing Assistance Payment: Discussion (15 Dec 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: Exactly. The new 2040 plan will make it harder again, as it is forcing people into certain settings. HAP is not our biggest problem. I deal with MABS on a daily basis. Our problem is that we do not have properties. We do not have the infrastructure to build properties. Derelict properties in towns and villages are on the sewerage system but it is too expensive to renovate them because...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (9 Dec 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: When will the Taoiseach bring in an auditing service in respect of the management of hospitals? University Hospital Limerick has had the longest waiting list for beds for a long time. The latter was not caused by the staff at the hospital, this comes down to a management problem. I said on the first day I came to the Dáil that there is an issue with the management of and the structure...

Mental Health Policy: Motion [Private Members] (9 Dec 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: Covid has shown us that mental health issues can arise as a result of people being lonely. Deputies Michael Collins and Mattie McGrath referred to this. Mental health issues in rural settings are on the increase because everything is closed. In the context of children and families, as Christmas approaches, drive-through Santa's grottoes are either being closed or cannot go ahead. What...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Charitable and Voluntary Organisations (9 Dec 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: 191. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the restoration of salary cuts made in 2008 to section 39 workers in the remaining 250 organisations that have been affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42387/20]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Dental Services (9 Dec 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: 219. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the failure to publish a report on orthodontics by persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42388/20]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Dental Services (9 Dec 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: 220. To ask the Minister for Health if he will report on orthodontic appointments and anticipated wait times for 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42389/20]

Organisation of Working Time (Domestic Violence Leave) Bill 2020: Second Stage [Private Members] (8 Dec 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: I welcome this Private Members' Bill brought forward by Sinn Féin. It is hard to believe one in three women in Ireland is affected by domestic violence. It is not confined to class, age, race, sexuality, religion or disability. Reading again through speeches given by Deputies O'Reilly and McDonald in debates in November, I have learned the legislation brought forward by Sinn...

National Surplus (Reserve Fund for Exceptional Contingencies) Act 2019: Motion (8 Dec 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: I understand from the motion that exceptional circumstances exist and that a payment of €500 million this year would place an undue burden on the public finances. Some €9 billion is being made available from the European Central Bank, ECB, through the pillar banks as a stimulus to businesses in the economy. Where is the money going? The ECB has given this to the Irish banks....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2020: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (8 Dec 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: My question follows on from that of Deputy McAuliffe. I know many good tenants and landlords, and also some rogue tenants and landlords. When the level 5 restrictions were put in place, it was announced that there would be a rent freeze. Some people thought, on the basis of the information that went out there, that they did not have to pay rent during this period, and subsequently got...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2020: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (8 Dec 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: After that, can they raise a dispute?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2020: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (8 Dec 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: They then have five days to raise a dispute.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2020: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (8 Dec 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: I am talking about a dispute being raised with a landlord after the notice period. Is it correct that when a tenant raises a dispute, the information must be brought back within five days and then they must contact MABS?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2020: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (8 Dec 2020)

Richard O'Donoghue: On the issue of contacting MABS, I have sent many people who have fallen behind with rent payments to MABS to seek help. It has often happened that two or three weeks have passed before someone has been able to meet with them. In different counties, MABS is under different pressures. This is where I am going with my question. Mr. Lemass mentioned that only seven tenants have been referred...