Results 1-20 of 11,700 for speaker:Roderic O'Gorman

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 May 2025)

Roderic O'Gorman: I want to draw the Minister's attention to comments made in the past fortnight by the Minister of State with responsibility for forestry, farm safety and horticulture, Deputy Michael Healy-Rae. It is really one of the first opportunities we have had to get an insight into this Government's thinking on climate and nature. The Minister of State told the Seanad during statements on forestry on...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 May 2025)

Roderic O'Gorman: I appreciate the Minister's comments but we are still left with the words of the line Minister for forestry. It is worth quoting what he told the Seanad: "That is why I and my officials in the Department will look at planting more peatland." Is the Minister of State being allowed to indulge in a bit of Trump-lite, be anti-science and anti-climate, while at the same time purport to speak for...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Family Reunification (15 May 2025)

Roderic O'Gorman: 125. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for an update on the review taking place of family reunification policy, and whether this review will examine the difference in treatment between migrant workers who hold a critical skills permit and those who hold a general skills permit; when this review will be complete; if legislative change will be brought forward on...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Family Reunification (15 May 2025)

Roderic O'Gorman: Today is International Day of Families. On this day last year, migrant workers - women and men contributing to our economy and our society - protested outside the Minister's Department. They did so because, under the current law, certain categories of migrant workers require both a 12-month wait and an onerous income threshold in order for their family members to come join them here in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Family Reunification (15 May 2025)

Roderic O'Gorman: This review has been going on for a very long time, and people need clarity and need to see a sensible evolution of the Department's policy. We should remind ourselves that these are hard-working people caring for our elderly and sick, driving our buses and building our homes. At the end of a hard day, they cannot come home to their husband or wife or kids in the same way the Minister of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Family Reunification (15 May 2025)

Roderic O'Gorman: I am glad the Minister of State is indicating the review will come soon. As regards the ability to support a family, we are talking about people in full-time, stable employment at a salary level that is set by the State. This population already contributes significantly - millions of euro - to the Exchequer every year in tax. There is clear evidence of their ability to support...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (15 May 2025)

Roderic O'Gorman: 133. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality whether he will bring forward policy changes regarding the right of migrant workers with work permits to reunify with family members here in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24872/25]

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Work Permits (14 May 2025)

Roderic O'Gorman: 78. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on the Programme for Government commitment to "examine ways to facilitate people who are on work permits to move jobs more easily and legally, while protecting the integrity of the immigration system”; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24894/25]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Work Permits (14 May 2025)

Roderic O'Gorman: 146. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of applications made in the last 12 months for permission to remain under the reactivation employment permit scheme; the average processing time for applications made over this period; the number of successful and unsuccessful results issued during this period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24889/25]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Functions (14 May 2025)

Roderic O'Gorman: 147. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to outline the membership of the strategic migration policy unit located within his Department; when it was established; how often has it met; its terms of reference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24890/25]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (14 May 2025)

Roderic O'Gorman: 148. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the average waiting time for decisions on naturalisation applications; the shortest time in which a positive decision has been given within the last five years; the longest time a decision has taken within the last five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24891/25]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (14 May 2025)

Roderic O'Gorman: 149. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to outline the steps that are taken in making a determination on a naturalisation application; whether these steps are taken with respect to every single naturalisation application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24892/25]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (14 May 2025)

Roderic O'Gorman: 150. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality whether his Department has statistics for average waiting times for decisions on naturalisation applications by original nationality of the application, if so, to provide the names and time periods of the five countries with the longest waiting time and the five countries with the shortest waiting times; and if he will make a...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Overseas Development Aid (8 May 2025)

Roderic O'Gorman: I thank the Minister of State. I am pleased he was able to bring his own experience within the Department and his passion for this issue to his answer. Around the world, people are deeply disturbed by the callous actions of the US Administration in cutting support for the most vulnerable. Bill Gates today accused Elon Musk of killing the world's poorest children by leading this set of...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Overseas Development Aid (8 May 2025)

Roderic O'Gorman: I want to raise an issue that is of significant concern to me, the Green Party and many Irish people, namely, the impact of the highly politicised attack on overseas aid by the US Government. All of us in this House will be aware of the extreme and really quite extraordinary steps taken by the US Administration, in particular the almost slapstick efforts by Elon Musk to shut down wholesale...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (8 May 2025)

Roderic O'Gorman: This week, both the Tánaiste and Taoiseach have spoken powerfully against Israel's plans for the Gaza Strip, but their powerful words are not matched by their actions. The Government said it will write again to the European Commission regarding the EU-Israel Association Agreement. Is there anything to be said for another letter? In a few weeks, it is going to give us a timeline...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Transport (8 May 2025)

Roderic O'Gorman: 11. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he can provide an update on the delivery of next generation ticketing, given that one year has passed since the signing of the contract for this upgrade; the timeline his Department is considering for the completed process; if he intends to expedite this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22832/25]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Transport (8 May 2025)

Roderic O'Gorman: In April of last year, the National Transport Authority awarded a comprehensive framework contract to the Spanish firm Indra Sistemas. This contract is for the design, supply, installation and operation of a new multi-modal ticketing system. Will the Minister give us an update on the roll-out of that scheme? When does he believe passengers will be able to tag on and off using a credit card...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Transport (8 May 2025)

Roderic O'Gorman: Notwithstanding the complexity of the problem, I am disappointed that we do not have more clarity as to when we will see the actual roll-out. I know it will take some time but this contract was signed a year ago and I would have hoped that, after a year of preparatory work, the company, the NTA and the Minister would have been able to give us clarity as to when we will actually see roll-out....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Transport (8 May 2025)

Roderic O'Gorman: I understand that a scheme of this scale and complexity will take time but, when you are working with a private sector company, if you do not give it a clear deadline, it will take all the time it can. It is very important that we get that timeline. I am glad to see the Minister is taking such a hands-on approach and has been engaging with his officials on this. He can rest assured that I...