Results 1,921-1,940 of 2,964 for speaker:James O'Connor
- Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Naval Service (28 Jun 2022)
James O'Connor: I wholeheartedly agree with the point made that if theLÉ Eithnewere to be turned into a maritime museum that it should not be up to the Defence Forces to foot the bill. The co-operation of the Defence Forces would be more than welcome, but it is great to see that Cork County Council and that councillors on that local authority have expressed interest in this regard. Approaches have...
- Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (28 Jun 2022)
James O'Connor: 98. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans for an accelerated programme of Naval Service vessel replacement to ensure a balanced fleet of nine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34199/22]
- Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Passport Services (23 Jun 2022)
James O'Connor: I thank the Minister for taking the question. I would like to get a better indication of the Department's understanding of the number of applications made per county. I want to get a greater understanding of how many applications there are on the island of Ireland, North and South. Thankfully, I got that information this morning. From an international perspective, I would like to separate...
- Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Chapter 3 - Central Government Funding of Local Authorities (23 Jun 2022) James O'Connor: I welcome the officials to the committee and I thank them for the briefing they have provided. It is true that local government in Ireland does not get the level of scrutiny at an Oireachtas level that perhaps it should. I have been a member of a local authority, like many other members of this committee, and I want to ask Mr. Doyle if he thinks the current system is fit for purpose. The...
- Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Chapter 3 - Central Government Funding of Local Authorities (23 Jun 2022) James O'Connor: I have to interrupt Mr. Doyle because I am against the clock. The Department sat on the Moorhead report for a long time. I know it required a decision to be taken, which was done. I am in no doubt about the enormous workload that is on county councils. I am concerned about the model we have, where people are essentially in a full-time job where they have that full-time responsibility of...
- Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Chapter 3 - Central Government Funding of Local Authorities (23 Jun 2022) James O'Connor: What are the current requirements with regard to the disclosure of non-compliant procurement in the financial statements of local authorities?
- Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Chapter 3 - Central Government Funding of Local Authorities (23 Jun 2022) James O'Connor: The committee is aware that the Department does not provide all of the central government funding to local authorities but notes it is responsible for ensuring there is an oversight of the mechanism in place. Has the Department of Transport, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment or any other Government Department consulted the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage...
- Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Chapter 3 - Central Government Funding of Local Authorities (23 Jun 2022) James O'Connor: If a local control issue is identified as concerning by the audit service, does the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage give feedback to local authorities?
- Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Chapter 3 - Central Government Funding of Local Authorities (23 Jun 2022) James O'Connor: How regularly would that happen? Surely Mr. Doyle knows that.
- Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Chapter 3 - Central Government Funding of Local Authorities (23 Jun 2022) James O'Connor: If a failure is identified, what happens within the Department in respect of the disciplinary process for chief executives or senior management within local authorities? How does the Department go about the process of ensuring that there is a level of accountability and that key actions are taken after something that might be problematic has been identified? Will Mr. Doyle take me through...
- Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Chapter 3 - Central Government Funding of Local Authorities (23 Jun 2022) James O'Connor: If a failure is identified, it is irregular for the Department to initiate any type of disciplinary procedure.
- Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Chapter 3 - Central Government Funding of Local Authorities (23 Jun 2022) James O'Connor: Does Mr. Doyle think the Department should have that power? Would it improve value for public money? Would it improve accountability and transparency?
- Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Chapter 3 - Central Government Funding of Local Authorities (23 Jun 2022) James O'Connor: Am I correct that the removal of a chief executive requires 60% of a vote at a council?
- Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Chapter 3 - Central Government Funding of Local Authorities (23 Jun 2022) James O'Connor: I think it is bizarre. It comes back to what I said earlier. Reviewing what county councillors have to do as part of their work must be a big part of the work the Department does over the next ten years. The demands are constantly increasing compared with what they are facing from executives around the country. I am hearing that regularly from county councillors.
- Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Chapter 3 - Central Government Funding of Local Authorities (23 Jun 2022) James O'Connor: I agree with some of the points made by Deputy Verona Murphy. I mentioned in my opening remarks that the lack of accountability when it comes to senior positions within local authorities across the country is shocking. The dynamic of the relationship between county councillors and chief executives of local authorities is not one that allows there to be open transparency and questioning....
- Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Chapter 3 - Central Government Funding of Local Authorities (23 Jun 2022) James O'Connor: How many times has that happened at a town council level?
- Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Chapter 3 - Central Government Funding of Local Authorities (23 Jun 2022) James O'Connor: I think it happened once in Naas. I stand to be corrected.
- Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Chapter 3 - Central Government Funding of Local Authorities (23 Jun 2022) James O'Connor: That just shows us how-----
- Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Chapter 3 - Central Government Funding of Local Authorities (23 Jun 2022) James O'Connor: I asked one question very clearly. Can Mr. Doyle commit to doing some analysis on the obligations around the Oireachtas meetings with chief executives? Can he analyse all 31 local authorities in this country and come back to me and this committee with a comprehensive report on how many local authorities are living up to that? I want to hear about that. That was one of the issues that was...
- Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Chapter 3 - Central Government Funding of Local Authorities (23 Jun 2022) James O'Connor: Mr. Doyle might answer the question I asked first, if he does not mind.