Results 1-20 of 766 for speaker:Pippa Hackett

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Road Network (6 Nov 2024)

Pippa Hackett: I thank the Acting Chair. I thank the Senator for the question. I am here on behalf of the Minister for Transport. As the Senator is aware, as outlined in the 2024 regional and local roads programme, the Government is strongly committed to protecting the existing road network. This network is fundamental to connecting people and places across the country. It facilitates business,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Road Network (6 Nov 2024)

Pippa Hackett: I thank Senator Lombard. I do not disagree that it is a serious issue, but the State grant funding is allocated on a fair and equitable basis road on road length. Yes, Cork is a vast county. It has a lot of road network and gets a proportionate amount based on that compared to other counties that have less of a road network and get a lesser amount. It is done on a fair and equitable...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Legislative Measures (6 Nov 2024)

Pippa Hackett: I am here on behalf of the Minister for Social Protection, who thanks the Senator for raising the issue again. The Civil Registration (Amendment) Act 2014 principally, as the Senator said, amends and extends the Civil Registration Act 2004. The Act was signed into law on 4 December 2014. The Minister, Deputy Humphreys, previously outlined to the Senator the sections referring to the law...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Legislative Measures (6 Nov 2024)

Pippa Hackett: I thank the Senator for her acknowledgement that some progress has been made and that the technical error has been corrected. I will relay her continued concerns about this matter. The commencement of section 6 will provide an opportunity for all fathers' names to be recorded in the register of births and I will follow up with the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, after this Commencement matter...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Water Services (6 Nov 2024)

Pippa Hackett: I thank the Senator for the question. I am here to address the topic on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien. The Department is committed to supporting rural Ireland and continues to provide the funding needed for the provision of improved water services in rural areas. The Department’s multi-annual rural water programme, using Exchequer funding, is the main capital...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Water Services (6 Nov 2024)

Pippa Hackett: It is clear the frustration is real, not just the Senator's but that of the communities of Cooraclare and Broadford and others in County Clare and elsewhere. Adequate and effective sewerage schemes are essential for communities. We are trying to encourage people to live in villages and towns and that is a fundamental part of it. I will bring the information back to the Minister, Deputy...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects (6 Nov 2024)

Pippa Hackett: I thank the Senator for the question. I am here on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Foley, but hope to provide some updates new to the Deputy on the proposed development of this multischool campus on the Swords Road in Whitehall. A memorandum of understanding, MOU, between the Department of Education and City of Dublin Education and Training Board, ETB, was finalised in March 2022. This MOU...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects (6 Nov 2024)

Pippa Hackett: The Senator is right. It is going to be a fantastic campus when it is done. The million dollar question is when it will be done. The Department continues to engage closely with City of Dublin ETB and An Foras Pátrúnachta, the patron of Gaelscoil Áine, to advance the project. I understand the frustration that this is not being seen on the ground. Perhaps communications with...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Nov 2024)

Pippa Hackett: We have all watched the events unfold in the US. While many of us hoped for a different result, and a recent poll by the Sunday Independent indicated that 76% of Irish people would have voted for Kamala Harris, democracy moves in mysterious ways so we have to respect the process and respect the result. People in the US have chosen Trump. They know what he represents and they have voted for...

Seanad: Protection of the Native Irish Honey Bee Bill 2021: Report and Final Stages (16 Oct 2024)

Pippa Hackett: If the Acting Chairperson will bear with me for a couple of minutes, I will make some final statements and he can be on his way. I thank my party colleague Senator Martin for his extensive work on this Bill. I also extend my thanks to Senators Garvey and Higgins for their continued interest in this important area. I welcome the beekeepers to the Gallery. This is an important day for them...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Forestry Sector (26 Sep 2024)

Pippa Hackett: I thank both Deputies. I am open to correction on this but I think species like mountain ash do not seem to be as impacted but certainly it has impacted those plantations and also our native species, which have been here for centuries. It is definitely having an impact but some trees are showing signs of more resilience to it. Teagasc is very active in research in this space. It is trying...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Farmers Charter (14 May 2024)

Pippa Hackett: I thank the Cathaoirleach, welcome those in the Visitors Gallery and thank Senator Boyhan for raising this issue. The farmers' charter review group began renegotiations of the new farmers' charter in early January 2023. The aim of the review group is to agree standards and delivery targets for schemes and services provided by my Department. It includes protocols in respect of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Farmers Charter (14 May 2024)

Pippa Hackett: I thank the Senator. As he said, the charter is imminent. We are very hopeful of having a new charter in place very soon. I understand the importance of having the process completed and of having a charter that is fit for purpose and has the elements of fairness and transparency, which the Senator has highlighted. I will certainly take away the Senator's concerns on cross-compliance....

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Apr 2024)

Pippa Hackett: I acknowledge the families of the 48 victims of the Stardust tragedy, their friends and the wider community, who for 43 years have waited for justice and who today have received a State apology from the Taoiseach. Neither last week's verdict of unlawful killing nor the Taoiseach's apology today can ever make up for the loss of their loved ones. I hope, however, that the recognition of the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Electoral Process (6 Mar 2024)

Pippa Hackett: I thank Senator Boyhan for raising this issue. I know that many elected representatives, public representatives, political parties and others are preparing for the local and European Parliament elections in June. Polling day for both sets of elections is an important event in our democracy. In electoral law, the polling day for all elections and referendums is set when the Minister for...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Electoral Process (6 Mar 2024)

Pippa Hackett: I accept the frustrations and concerns that exist about when the date will be. I will have the conversation with my colleagues around that. All that said, the Minister has committed to making that polling day order in early April. That will be two months out from the date. Two months is plenty of time for the challenges around literature publication but I accept the frustration that...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Vacant Properties (6 Mar 2024)

Pippa Hackett: I sincerely thank Senator Chambers for raising this really important issue and allowing me the opportunity to provide an update on this matter on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Coveney. It is important to first acknowledge a high level of vacancy does not represent a productive use of commercial infrastructure. However, it should also be noted that vacancy levels can rise and fall...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Vacant Properties (6 Mar 2024)

Pippa Hackett: I thank the Senator. I am sure the Department will examine the report in full. As she highlighted, the figures are stark. Just to reiterate, the Government is committed to addressing vacancy and maximising the use of existing building stock. It is essential we consider the best means by which to ensure vacant properties are brought back into effective use. Beyond ensuring the most...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Forestry Sector (22 Feb 2024)

Pippa Hackett: I am aware of some concerns. The Deputy may be meeting different people from those I have met, because the programme was warmly welcomed. After a long period, it was great to get the programme across the line last September. It has been warmly welcomed and there has been great engagement at the many forestry promotion events across the country that Teagasc, private forestry owners and...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Forestry Sector (22 Feb 2024)

Pippa Hackett: I have met with SEEFA and the IFA and am aware of their concerns. Both organisations, along with other stakeholders, sit on the afforestation working group which is teasing out some of the issues and looking for opportunities to take a slightly different approach while remaining within the confines of the regulations from the European Commission. I am not sure if the Deputy is condoning...