Results 441-460 of 4,810 for speaker:Liam Twomey

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Annual Growth Survey 2015, Alert Mechanism Report 2015 and An Investment Plan for Europe: Discussion (21 Jan 2015)

Liam Twomey: The purpose of this part of the meeting is to discuss the Annual Growth Survey 2015, the Alert Mechanism Report 2015 and An Investment Plan for Europe. I welcome from the Department of Finance Mr. John McCarthy, chief economist, and Mr. John Hogan, assistant secretary, banking division. The format is that they will make some opening remarks which will be followed by a question and answer...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Annual Growth Survey 2015, Alert Mechanism Report 2015 and An Investment Plan for Europe: Discussion (21 Jan 2015)

Liam Twomey: We will open with our first round of questions. We will have ten-minute slots in the beginning to ensure that everyone gets an opportunity to speak. I realise you are under time pressure, Deputy Doherty. Do you wish to go first?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Annual Growth Survey 2015, Alert Mechanism Report 2015 and An Investment Plan for Europe: Discussion (21 Jan 2015)

Liam Twomey: We will have to suspend the meeting because a vote has been called in the Dáil.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Annual Growth Survey 2015, Alert Mechanism Report 2015 and An Investment Plan for Europe: Discussion (21 Jan 2015)

Liam Twomey: I have one or two questions for the witnesses. As we heard, Ireland submitted 70 projects for inclusion in the investment plan. Will Mr. Hogan provide a breakdown of the projects? Has a list of projects been published?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Annual Growth Survey 2015, Alert Mechanism Report 2015 and An Investment Plan for Europe: Discussion (21 Jan 2015)

Liam Twomey: Will Mr. Hogan have a copy sent to the joint committee?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Annual Growth Survey 2015, Alert Mechanism Report 2015 and An Investment Plan for Europe: Discussion (21 Jan 2015)

Liam Twomey: The annual growth survey refers to the streamlining of the semester process. In what respects will the process be different in 2015? Why has the European Commission decided to change it? Has it done so in response to weaknesses that were identified in the process in recent years? What is the thinking behind the changes?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Annual Growth Survey 2015, Alert Mechanism Report 2015 and An Investment Plan for Europe: Discussion (21 Jan 2015)

Liam Twomey: In the 2015 annual growth survey, the Commission refers to how member states and national parliaments can increase their ownership of the process. This is important because the growth survey and other information on developments in the European semester refer to the European institutions and national governments. However, the joint committee could also be more involved in the process. Is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Annual Growth Survey 2015, Alert Mechanism Report 2015 and An Investment Plan for Europe: Discussion (21 Jan 2015)

Liam Twomey: I believe this will become a key issue. I wrote to the former President of the European Central Bank, Mario Draghi, following his refusal to attend the banking inquiry, which is taking place in the adjacent committee room. I indicated to Mr. Draghi that his decision would be a lost opportunity for the ECB to present its case to Irish people via the Irish Parliament. There is always the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Annual Growth Survey 2015, Alert Mechanism Report 2015 and An Investment Plan for Europe: Discussion (21 Jan 2015)

Liam Twomey: Mr. McCarthy might inquire on the committee's behalf if the Commission would like to make a presentation to it at some point.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Annual Growth Survey 2015, Alert Mechanism Report 2015 and An Investment Plan for Europe: Discussion (21 Jan 2015)

Liam Twomey: Has the Commission looked at how the collapse in oil price will affect forecasts for 2015?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Annual Growth Survey 2015, Alert Mechanism Report 2015 and An Investment Plan for Europe: Discussion (21 Jan 2015)

Liam Twomey: We will conclude. On behalf of the committee I thank Mr. McCarthy, Mr. Hogan, Mr. Enright and Mr. Petris for attending the meeting. It is always a valuable experience for the committee and I appreciate the frank exchange of views you always have with us. As there is no other business, we will adjourn.

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Children's Hospital Status (21 Jan 2015)

Liam Twomey: 56. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the new children’s hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2354/15]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Administration (21 Jan 2015)

Liam Twomey: 63. To ask the Minister for Health the changes in the medical card system; the way same will work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2353/15]

Topical Issue Debate: One-Parent Family Payments (20 Jan 2015)

Liam Twomey: Sorry, Deputy, your time is up

Hospital Services: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (15 Jan 2015)

Liam Twomey: It is inappropriate to say our health services are dysfunctional and it is disrespectful to the people who work in health services. There is an issue regarding appropriate funding for health services and that is what we should discuss. The Opposition should be talking about solutions. We should bear in mind that 2,000 beds have been taken from the health services in the past number of...

Hospital Services: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (15 Jan 2015)

Liam Twomey: The party banjaxed the country. Deputy Troy was not around and maybe he was still a small boy in short pants. That was a time when Ministers were increasing budgets by €1 billion per year but failing utterly to make any improvement to the health services while doing so.

Hospital Services: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (15 Jan 2015)

Liam Twomey: One Fianna Fáil Minister for Finance stated that putting money into the health Department was like pouring it down a black hole. What happened to him? He was removed from his post because he spoke out. He indicated that putting money into health without proper reform-----

Hospital Services: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (15 Jan 2015)

Liam Twomey: -----was a complete waste of time.

Hospital Services: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (15 Jan 2015)

Liam Twomey: Unfortunately, that is all the legacy of Fianna Fáil to the Irish people. It has nothing to contribute only notional ideas like plucking money from the sky to put it into the health area. It has nothing to add about delegation of duties.

Hospital Services: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (15 Jan 2015)

Liam Twomey: Why are practice nurses in primary care able to do vaccinations, phlebotomy-----