Results 1,921-1,940 of 3,697 for speaker:Michael Lowry

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (1 Dec 2020)

Michael Lowry: A number of credit unions across Tipperary and indeed the country have been in contact with Deputies to say that because of Covid they are unable to hold AGMs. Under regulation, the payment of a dividend to members needs to be passed in advance at an AGM and this is not allowed by virtual means, so the dividend cannot be paid to the members. We are talking about sometimes €200 or...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (26 Nov 2020)

Michael Lowry: Since last Monday's comments by the Taoiseach, Tipperary publicans have been distraught and demoralised. We all want to have a Christmas and enjoy it, but the policy of the continued closure of pubs over Christmas has destroyed Christmas for publicans and their dependent families. It spells financial disaster for them. Unlike other countries across Europe, Ireland has victimised publicans....

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (26 Nov 2020)

Michael Lowry: I ask the Tánaiste to see what can be done to assist publicans in the next 24 hours.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (26 Nov 2020)

Michael Lowry: I wish to address the issue of social media. No one can dispute the fact that social media has changed our lives beyond recognition. It has now become the centre of many people's lives, so much so that it is now a medically recognised addiction. In fewer than 14 years it has morphed from being a way of expanding our social network to being a means to destroy people's credibility,...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (26 Nov 2020)

Michael Lowry: When the term cyberbullying is used, most people think it refers solely to children and teenagers. This is a misconception. The harassment and abuse of adults, particularly public figures, can be equally cruel and damaging. Those involved in high profile roles in media, entertainment, sports, medicine, teaching, politics and even the church are considered to be immune to the vitriol thrown...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Value Added Tax (25 Nov 2020)

Michael Lowry: 55. To ask the Minister for Finance if the proposed changes to the retail export scheme can be postponed in view of the difficulties caused by the ongoing restrictions to small businesses that avail of the scheme; his views on proposals to reduce the retail export scheme’s proposed threshold to €75 as this will do nothing to protect the retail and tourism sectors; if his...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Broadband Connectivity and Telecommunications Issues: Eir (25 Nov 2020)

Michael Lowry: I welcome the witnesses and thank them for their presence here today. Eir has a serious problem which has to be addressed. It has a problem with its customers, with its image and with its service and, if it does not move to correct these problems, it will do serious damage to the long-term future of the company. The only thing saving it at the moment is that its customers are effectively...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Broadband Connectivity and Telecommunications Issues: Eir (25 Nov 2020)

Michael Lowry: What Ms Lennon is effectively saying is that Eir has neglected those areas, NBI has since come in and Eir has moved on and has a new project so it is completely forgetting about those areas. We are pointing out blatant omissions that were made. I have a business that involves installation and maintenance and I cannot understand how Eir cannot delegate a crew within its organisation. It is...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Commission on Pensions (18 Nov 2020)

Michael Lowry: 114. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if representatives from organisations (details supplied) will be included on the proposed Pensions Commission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37152/20]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Provision (18 Nov 2020)

Michael Lowry: 167. To ask the Minister for Health if funding will be provided to establish a renal dialysis unit in one of current health care facilities in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37167/20]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Broadband Plan Roll-out: Discussion (18 Nov 2020)

Michael Lowry: First of all, I welcome the witnesses today and thank them. It has been useful and informative. In fact, many of the questions I was about to ask about information have been answered by Ms Collins. This contract is without doubt the most important ever placed in the history of the State since rural electrification. I am happy that I was one of the people who supported this contract....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Broadband Plan Roll-out: Discussion (18 Nov 2020)

Michael Lowry: What I am trying to figure out is what level of co-operation there is. In Terryglass, for instance, the infrastructure is in place. They left the site. I looked recently to check where Terryglass was on NBI's website list in 2020 and it is at the bottom. It makes no sense to have all the work completed and that this important facility is not available to that village and to the residents...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Broadband Plan Roll-out: Discussion (18 Nov 2020)

Michael Lowry: That is the nub of the issue. What people cannot understand is the cable is there. The infrastructure is in place. Can NBI tell me the technical or financial reason? What can we do to overcome that? Many committee members would like these gaps to be filled in as a priority. Doing so should be easy. Why are they not a priority? Is there a technical obstacle or an access obstacle from a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Broadband Plan Roll-out: Discussion (18 Nov 2020)

Michael Lowry: Yes, but-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Broadband Plan Roll-out: Discussion (18 Nov 2020)

Michael Lowry: I understand that one has to factor in future demands and expansions when building a new network, but I am not getting an answer to my question on the black spots that are serviced at both ends by Eir's fibre optic. There is no need to conduct a survey because there will be no further expansion. These are settled communities and we have planning laws that do not allow for expansion in their...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Broadband Plan Roll-out: Discussion (18 Nov 2020)

Michael Lowry: I will outline our problem so that Mr. Hendrick will understand where we are coming from. People in gap areas approach their public representatives. We go to Eir, which is the provider with fibre in the ground very close to the people seeking access. Eir gives us a simple answer. It tells us clearly that it is no longer the provider because it has completed the work in the area and it is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Broadband Plan Roll-out: Discussion (18 Nov 2020)

Michael Lowry: If NBI requires the committee to make a recommendation or intervention or to do something else, we would be happy to do so.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Broadband Plan Roll-out: Discussion (18 Nov 2020)

Michael Lowry: This is a major priority.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Grant Payments (12 Nov 2020)

Michael Lowry: 361. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a refusal for the beef finisher scheme was issued to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary despite the applicant being able to provide evidence they are farming a holding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35815/20]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Nov 2020)

Michael Lowry: I thank the witnesses for their concise and informative presentation. It highlights what we have heard already from other witnesses about the serious crisis in aviation and the depressing state of aviation. There are two issues. The first is the interim and the short-term problem and the second is the long-term issues that arise. On the long-term issues, I absolutely agree with previous...