Results 1-20 of 476 for at speaker:Joe Flaherty

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Septic Tanks (13 Jun 2024)

Joe Flaherty: I thank the Minister of State and appreciate him standing in on behalf of the Department of housing. It is somewhat disappointing a Minister was not available to take the question but I am sure the officials will relay my dismay and frustration with this grant scheme. The reality is that in the case of County Longford only a small number of inspections, possibly three, are carried out over...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Septic Tanks (13 Jun 2024)

Joe Flaherty: Like many of my rural colleagues, I was giddy with excitement at the 2023 Ard-Fheis when the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, announced changes to the septic tank grant scheme-----

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Septic Tanks (13 Jun 2024)

Joe Flaherty: ...scheme. Just 19 grants have been paid out this year by the Department to householders with septic tanks and the Department is coming under increasing pressure to revise the eligibility and application process, which many people, me included, argue is too restrictive and convoluted and does not address one of the biggest challenges in rural Ireland, namely, the inadequacy and shortcomings...

Motor Insurance Insolvency Compensation Bill 2024: Second Stage (13 Jun 2024)

Joe Flaherty: I was in the Chamber this morning when Martin from the usher's team was congratulated on his retirement. I did not get an opportunity to speak then, but I want to congratulate you. You have given exemplary service, as do all the ushers. Twenty-two years here is a long time. If I get 22 years here, I will be very happy, but I think it will be harder for me to stay the 22 years. I welcome...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Education Policy (30 May 2024)

Joe Flaherty: I thank the Minister of State very much. It is safe to say there was nothing in that reply that will send me home with the wind in my sails this evening. Notwithstanding that, I note there are probably young secondary school teachers who will tell me they were in junior cycle when it was agreed to carry out a review of the JCSP as part of the implementation of the framework for junior...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Education Policy (30 May 2024)

Joe Flaherty: ...extension of access to the junior cycle schools programme, JCSP, digital libraries to all schools, particularly DEIS schools. Notwithstanding a proud literary tradition and as a son of a county that gave us Maria Edgeworth, Goldsmith, Padraic Colum and, more recently, John Connell and Belinda McKeon, it is regrettable that our schools network is strangled with an underresourced and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Scrutiny of EU Proposals (29 May 2024)

Joe Flaherty: I thank Dr. Ryan for the comprehensive overview. The obvious question is where we are relative to the UK on this now on the basis that these are EU regulations. In tandem, are we having discussions with the UK to adopt these regulations with the UK on the basis that illegal trade in dogs, in particular, is the biggest market at the moment? Sin ceist amháin.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Scrutiny of EU Proposals (29 May 2024)

Joe Flaherty: Dr. Ryan touched on dog wardens. He may not have the information to hand. Is there any county at the minute that does not have a dedicated local authority dog warden?

Business Support Package: Statements (23 May 2024)

Joe Flaherty: ...productively spent. I think this is my first time to address the Minister in his new capacity. I commend him. I know he is a number of weeks into the role. I welcome the work he has done to date, especially in the increased cost of business supports. It is no secret that small businesses in rural Ireland, particularly those in retail and hospitality, are struggling. We have seen a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (22 May 2024)

Joe Flaherty: Dr. O'Reilly will then probably ask me why I am worrying about this and can we not just sort this. Why then are category 1 NGTs not allowed in organics if they are essentially naturally occurring, albeit with a faster track? What is the rationale for excluding NGTs, given that organic producers would say they are at a natural disadvantage anyway in the wider scheme? They are doing their...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (22 May 2024)

Joe Flaherty: It still seems an arbitrary figure. Following that through, it would mean the Commission would have to look at every farm individually to come up with that figure and I do not think it could have done that. The 10 ha still seems an arbitrary figure. That would mean the Commission had to look at each farm to assess the environmental impact. I cannot see how it could or would have done that.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Guardians Ad Litem (16 May 2024)

Joe Flaherty: I thank the Minister of State for taking this matter. A well-intentioned local solicitor opted to raise concerns with me regarding the appointment or assignment of guardians ad litem. Guardians ad litem are typically, but not necessarily, legal people, such as barristers or solicitors, and are appointed by judges to represent the interests of children in care. Their key functions are to...

Future Ireland Fund and Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund Bill 2024: Report and Final Stages (15 May 2024)

Joe Flaherty: ...amendments No. 6 and 7 but they give me a segue to raise a concern I have. I hope the Minister will be able to allay it in his closing remarks. The Future Ireland Fund and Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund Bill is hugely important. The Minister has championed it and I commend him on it. It will allow us to protect pensions and the health service in the future. It will provide...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Recycling Farm Plastics: Discussion (Resumed) (15 May 2024)

Joe Flaherty: I will be brief. I will not speak about the issue of plastic. Another issue is emerging at the moment in regard to the Connemara Pony Breeders Society. On social media there is speculation that its annual showcase event in August will not go ahead because issues are emerging. Could we schedule something for next week? It seems urgent. The society said it will have an update next...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Complaints Procedures (1 May 2024)

Joe Flaherty: 257. To ask the Minister for Health the reason or reasons for the unacceptable failure in care of a person (details supplied) at Beaumont Hospital which led to the misreading and misreporting of a smear test in January 2007.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19627/24]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Enrolments (23 Apr 2024)

Joe Flaherty: 294. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the enrolment numbers at 30 March 2024 for all national schools in County Longford. [17592/24]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Enrolments (23 Apr 2024)

Joe Flaherty: 295. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the enrolment numbers at 30 March 2024 for all secondary schools in County Longford. [17593/24]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Harness Racing: Irish Harness Racing Association (17 Apr 2024)

Joe Flaherty: We cannot look at the IHRA in isolation from on-road sulky racing. Do they use similar breeding to harness racers or do they just use traditional cob with a thoroughbred cross?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Harness Racing: Irish Harness Racing Association (17 Apr 2024)

Joe Flaherty: ...referred to road racing. Does he think it is too optimistic to think we could encourage people who race on the road to come into a controlled setting and race on a track? They will have to look at a different stock of horse, will they not?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Harness Racing: Irish Harness Racing Association (17 Apr 2024)

Joe Flaherty: ...see where the issue is. I think it is an opportunity for the IHRA to grow the sport. With road racing, an awful lot of money is bet on those races. If the IHRA had a tote facility, I think that would be an attraction as well. Thoroughbred is very much niche racing in Ireland, and I think Mr. Flanagan's sport is much more egalitarian. Anybody can own a harness racer, whereas you need...