Results 121-140 of 2,330 for speaker:Tim Lombard

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Post Office Network: Discussion (17 Jan 2017)

Tim Lombard: I thank the witnesses for their interesting contributions on this serious issue. I note the Bobby Kerr report was commenced 24 months ago. We have had two phases of that report and will have to wait another six months for an update on where An Post is going. It will be 30 months since this review was commenced. It is a perfect storm, in that the demand for the service is declining yet the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of the UK Referendum on Membership of the EU on the Irish Agrifood and Fisheries Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Jan 2017)

Tim Lombard: I will be very brief as most of the important issues have been aired at this stage. It is important that we acknowledge the contributions made by all of the organisations represented. Their core issue is that they want to make sure the fishing industry will be at the top of the agenda and will not be left behind. Our report and the contributions heard today are very important in that...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Road Projects Status (25 Jan 2017)

Tim Lombard: The matter I raise is the western relief road to Carrigaline, a town whose population has grown by an astonishing amount in recent decades. Carrigaline, which sits on the southern side of Cork city, has been one of the five largest growth areas in the State in the past ten years, recording population growth of more than 20,000 in that period. Unfortunately, this growth has not been matched...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Road Projects Status (25 Jan 2017)

Tim Lombard: I thank the Minister for his response and for his honesty in terms of what is set out therein. Realistically, funding for this road is not a priority issue under any plan. However, this project needs to be progressed. The mid-term review of the capital plan will be very important not only in relation to this key piece of infrastructure, but to other pieces of core infrastructure around the...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jan 2017)

Tim Lombard: I intended to raise a different issue but following on from Senator Davitt's interesting contribution on alcohol and below-cost selling, I agree that intervention is needed in this area. Something must be done to stop below-cost selling and the best way to do that is to reintroduce the groceries order.It was ended by Deputy Micheál Martin back in the day, but it should not have been....

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jan 2017)

Tim Lombard: When he drove that issue-----

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jan 2017)

Tim Lombard: Deputy Micheál Martin drove people into below-cost selling and pushed this situation on. That caused a major issue.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jan 2017)

Tim Lombard: I look forward to the debate and to contributing on it. We must address the kernel of the matter. It cannot be the case that people can buy alcohol more cheaply than water. That is a major issue. We must put a floor on pricing. The only way to do so is by reintroducing the groceries order.

Seanad: Health Service: Statements (25 Jan 2017)

Tim Lombard: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy, to the House and was pleased that the Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris, was present in the House earlier today. It is important to have senior departmental representatives here to discuss the health of the nation. One of the key points made earlier in the debate was the fact that we have not built a new hospital in...

Seanad: Junior Cycle Reform: Motion (25 Jan 2017)

Tim Lombard: I support this worthy and appropriate motion. When we think of where we are coming from and where we are going, the key issue is that we must look back to go forward. The commemorations of 1916 were a look back at the past that has been helpful to everyone. The emphasis on history at second level is very important. The motion is very important because we are trying to arrive at an...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2017)

Tim Lombard: I welcome the announcement made by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine on the formation of a tillage forum. He has agreed to hold what will be an important meeting on Thursday, 16 February. The grain forum will afford us an opportunity to discuss what happened with the harvest in 2016 and the resultant major losses, particularly in the south and west. The establishment of a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Health Ireland Strategic Plan 2015 to 2017: Discussion (7 Feb 2017)

Tim Lombard: I welcome the delegation from Animal Health Ireland. Even though the organisation was only established in 2009, it has had a remarkable effect on the agricultural industry. I wish to speak about the BVD eradication and the Johne's disease issue. BVD eradication has been a remarkable success. From the farmers' point of view the ease of tagging has worked out very well. There was great...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Proposed Acquisition of Celtic Media by Independent News & Media plc: Discussion (7 Feb 2017)

Tim Lombard: I will be brief. I welcome the witnesses. We have had a very informative discussion. The key issue is media ownership and media survival. Listening to today's contributions, it is evident that media ownership is one thing but whether the media will survive in the future is the key issue. When one looks at the reduction in sales, which was 65% in recent years, the main issue is if the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Local Authority Boundaries Review (8 Feb 2017)

Tim Lombard: I am proposing the establishment of a boundary commission to review local government constituencies. After the 2011 census, the then Minister, Phil Hogan, established a boundary commission in 2013 to consider introducing local government municipal districts. The subsequent proposals must be reviewed. The figure of 1,653 representatives - 883 councillors and 773 town councillors - has been...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Local Authority Boundaries Review (8 Feb 2017)

Tim Lombard: I welcome the Minister's response. I recognise that my Commencement matter does not come within his brief and belongs to another Minister. Councillors face an election in 2019, which is just two years away. Two of the key issues for them are certainty and what will happen in the future. I hope we will debate this issue in the House. It is important to invite the Minister to the House for...

Seanad: Amendments to Councillors' Conditions: Statements (8 Feb 2017)

Tim Lombard: I was a member of Cork County Council for 13 years. It was a great honour and privilege to be co-opted on to the local authority in place of the Minister, Deputy Coveney. I think the work that councillors do on the ground is very important. That must be recognised. Members have made good statements on the terms and conditions of councillors. We have to look at local government in its...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2017)

Tim Lombard: Last weekend's edition of The Sunday Business Postand yesterday's edition of the Irish Examinerraised issues about the Eli Lilly plant in Kinsale in County Cork. It is one of the major employers in Kinsale, employing several hundred people and has been there 35 years. A major planned expansion of €200 million has been postponed because of the America First policy that Mr. Trump...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Garda Station Refurbishment (22 Feb 2017)

Tim Lombard: It is a pleasure to welcome the Minister to the Chamber. I wish to discuss the condition of the Timoleague Garda station. Timoleague is a lovely village in the heart of west Cork. It is a tourism area, but the indigenous population needs to be supported. A key factor in that is the services it receives, be they the post office, shops or the Garda station. A garda lives in the station....

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Garda Station Refurbishment (22 Feb 2017)

Tim Lombard: I thank the Cathaoirleach for giving me the opportunity to come in again. I will be very brief. I thank the Minister for his response. The Government's investment in An Garda Síochána and related services is greatly welcomed. The Minister mentioned major developments in Macroom and Cavan, but we also need to look at smaller Garda stations. Garda stations in small towns and...

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (28 Feb 2017)

Tim Lombard: I welcome the Minister of State and compliment him on his presentation on this important issue. Basically, we are seeking to pass legislation that will hopefully ensure the postal service will be viable into the future and particularly in the short term. A further body of work is required to ensure the postal service can progress in the long term. The postal service is at a crossroads....