Results 161-180 of 1,441 for speaker:Ann Phelan

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Homes Support Scheme (23 Oct 2012)

Ann Phelan: To ask the Minister for Health when the review of the fair deal scheme will be brought before the Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45920/12]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Homes Support Scheme (23 Oct 2012)

Ann Phelan: To ask the Minister for Health when the review of the fair deal scheme will be brought before the Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45920/12]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Discussion with Irish Aviation Authority (24 Oct 2012)

Ann Phelan: I second Deputy O'Donovan's call for a forensic investigation into what went on. I am from Kilkenny. As long as I was a member of the local authority and also on the regional authority, the pilot training college at Waterford Airport was regarded as creating great job opportunities. I remember preparing strategic plans that centred on the pilot training college at Waterford Airport. It is...

Leaders' Questions (25 Oct 2012)

Ann Phelan: The Deputy asked the question.

Leaders' Questions (25 Oct 2012)

Ann Phelan: The questions were answered in the order they were asked.

Order of Business (8 Nov 2012)

Ann Phelan: I wanted to ask the same question as Deputy Tóibín. As he asked the question in Irish, I will ask it in English. What is the status of the mental capacity Bill? I am acutely aware of how concerned people are about the delay with the Bill, and the reference to lunatics in the current legislation is an affront to people. I urge the Tánaiste to have that Bill published as soon...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Transport Policy: Discussion with EU Commissioner for Transport (8 Nov 2012)

Ann Phelan: I welcome the Commissioner. How will climate change and fuel security impact on the airline industry in future? What challenges will we face in that area? Do our waterways feature in the EU's transport strategy? I take the Commissioner's point about transport always being seen as a problem and that he does not necessarily want to view it in that way in future. How cost effective is rail...

Credit Union Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (13 Nov 2012)

Ann Phelan: I am grateful for the opportunity to speak on the Credit Union Bill. I am more than aware of the significant role each credit union has played and continues to play every day in communities across the country. I have been a lifelong member of a credit union. The Bill will strengthen the regulatory framework for credit unions and provide the basis for a restructuring of the sector over...

Education Funding: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (14 Nov 2012)

Ann Phelan: I am grateful for the opportunity to speak on this serious issue. If it were not so serious I would say Fianna Fáil was trying to have a laugh with its Private Members' motion. It is interesting to note that since Fianna Fáil has moved to the opposite side of the House it seems to have the answers to everything. What a pity it did not have the answers when it was sitting on the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Road Network: Discussion with National Roads Authority (14 Nov 2012)

Ann Phelan: I welcome the NRA representatives to the meeting. Does the NRA have contact with local authorities? Do the local authorities have autonomy to respond to the demands in their local area? How has the NRA dealt with local councils that have inherited a large network of regional roads, which is a greater drain on the budget? If we were to experience similar bad weather to the winter of 2010,...

Topical Issue Debate: Agricultural Diseases (20 Nov 2012)

Ann Phelan: I am thankful for the opportunity to speak to this very important issue. There has been much coverage in the news, both here and in the UK, about the emergence of a disease that is fatal to the ash tree. Ash dieback disease is known to kill 90% of the trees it infects. I know the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, has done much good work around this issue so I do not wish to detract from...

Topical Issue Debate: Agricultural Diseases (20 Nov 2012)

Ann Phelan: I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive reply. I am pleased to learn that we will be self-sufficient in ash by 2020. The idea that it will be necessary to use plastic hurleys in Croke Park is repugnant. However, we may still be able to beat the opposition, even with plastic hurleys. I was contacted by a concerned constituent who owns a sizeable ash plantation of 46 acres....

Topical Issue Debate: Agricultural Diseases (20 Nov 2012)

Ann Phelan: Off the field.

Supreme Court Ruling in the X Case: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (21 Nov 2012)

Ann Phelan: I extend my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Savita Halappanavar. This is a tragedy of epic proportions and something no family should have to go through, particularly as it would appear to be a preventable death of a lovely young woman. I have my doubts about the real motivation behind this Private Members' motion and believe it is a cynical exercise where we are using the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Developments in Sustainable Energy: Discussion with SEAI (21 Nov 2012)

Ann Phelan: It seems hydroelectric power generation is still the most cost-effective way of generating electricity. What is the current status of the Spirit of Ireland initiative? A number of years ago it was suggested the initiative would provide the answer to all of Ireland's energy ills. Is it still on the radar? Does the SEAI have any data for how the central heating districts throughout the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Developments in Sustainable Energy: Discussion with SEAI (21 Nov 2012)

Ann Phelan: I would like to ask a further question. If we do not get the interconnector up and running, we will not be able to export any of the renewable energy we are trying to produce to any other market. The interconnector is perhaps the most important element of the plan.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Developments in Sustainable Energy: Discussion with SEAI (21 Nov 2012)

Ann Phelan: How are we going to try to deal with this issue? This comes back to the issues of planning and local communities.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Regulation of Energy Sector: Discussion with CER (21 Nov 2012)

Ann Phelan: I share the concerns of the other Deputies about how the average household will pay over a third of its income on energy for keeping warm, cooking, washing clothes, etc. We must do much more to negotiate with the utility companies to reduce their prices. We are lucky that the weather has not been too bad just yet. However, if we get a bad winter on top of rising energy prices, it could tip...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Regulation of Energy Sector: Discussion with CER (21 Nov 2012)

Ann Phelan: The Chairman said he would circulate certain information to a member of the committee. I wonder if he will circulate it to us all.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobseeker's Benefit Appeals (27 Nov 2012)

Ann Phelan: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will investigate the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny who appealed the decision to refuse payment of jobseeker's benefit and subsequently won the appeal following an oral hearing; the person complied with all relevant criteria, however, they have been refused payment of arrears due to them from the period of initial...