Results 301-320 of 3,151 for speaker:Pádraig O'Sullivan

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Parental Leave (24 Jan 2024)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: 180. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he will bring forward the regulation to extend the duration of parental leave as was announced as part of Budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3100/24]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Update on Key Issues: Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (24 Jan 2024)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: I thank the Minister for attending so late in the evening. On the alternative pathway without the requirements for points that was offered to leaving certificate students last September, will he give us an outline of how that fared? I think 23 courses were launched. How many students benefited from it? If the Minister has any information on the types of courses, he might give us a brief...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Update on Key Issues: Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (24 Jan 2024)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: I appreciate the Minister's directness in his answer. As I alluded to in my initial question, there were issues in Mayfield-Montenotte, which the Minister might have seen in the national news over recent days. It gave the perception that just because a building was being assessed, things had been agreed. In the case of the student accommodation block, it is probably going through the same...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Capital Projects and Operations: Iarnród Éireann (24 Jan 2024)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach. I welcome Mr. Meade. Unlike Deputy Matthews, I am going to start with all the local parochial, constituency stuff.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Capital Projects and Operations: Iarnród Éireann (24 Jan 2024)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: To be fair, I must say at the start that massive investment has gone into Cork. It is great to see such ambition, especially on the eastern line and the Mallow line as well. We are very appreciative of all the progress made. Starting with the electrification of the track in Cork, it is great to see this happening. It has started. When are we likely to see electric locomotives and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Capital Projects and Operations: Iarnród Éireann (24 Jan 2024)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: Is the funding in place for those new stations already?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Capital Projects and Operations: Iarnród Éireann (24 Jan 2024)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: I refer to the accessibility issue on the line as well. Work was being undertaken at Ballynoe, in Cobh, as well.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Capital Projects and Operations: Iarnród Éireann (24 Jan 2024)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: Yes. There is an issue with the Glounthaune project. I do not think it has gone for planning permission yet.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Capital Projects and Operations: Iarnród Éireann (24 Jan 2024)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: If I may, I will ask one more supplementary on the light rail plan. This might be a bit more into the future, but is the intention to take the light rail in through Kent Station?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Capital Projects and Operations: Iarnród Éireann (24 Jan 2024)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: What might the misgivings, by whoever, be about integrating the light rail?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Capital Projects and Operations: Iarnród Éireann (24 Jan 2024)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: I know the vast majority of people do. Hopefully we will see that.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: 84. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the actions he is taking to drive forward the cultural transformation of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2599/24]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: I ask the Tánaiste for an update on progress in the implementation of the recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: I acknowledge what the Tánaiste has just said. He also referenced in his previous reply to Deputy Burke the importance of instigating cultural change and the whole issue of restructuring. Of course, that is required but I want to go back to the issue of retention. We were in the unenviable position last year of having to withdraw from a peacekeeping group. Part of the roadmap ahead...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: To go back to the action plan again, I understand it is in its infancy in terms of the delivery of the goals that have been set out but I want to focus on one or two specific points. I will concentrate on the naval side of things, which the Tánaiste mentioned in his previous response. I understand that one of the aims of the action plan is to improve security around subsea cabling, for...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: On that specific point, the age limit has been increased in other sectors, including the Garda, recently and, therefore, I do not see why the Government would not envisage something like that in future for the Defence Forces. Coming back to the Minister's point about stabilising figures, which I think he said was his immediate priority last autumn, I do not expect him to have a crystal...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: 65. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence what action he will be taking to stabilise the numbers within the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2600/24]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: Can the Tánaiste give me an update on the strengths of the Permanent Defence Forces as of 1 January 2024 and will he make a statement on the matter? This question No. 65 is grouped with question No. 52.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Jan 2024)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: It is encouraging to note that the intake is progressing a bit more favourably this year. I acknowledge that additional funding which the Tánaiste mentioned in the previous budget where I think that €67 million specifically was allocated to address retention issues and that a further €1.5 billion will be allocated over the next five years. With regard to the optimum...