Results 281-300 of 12,828 for speaker:Dara Calleary

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Ireland-Canada Trade Relations: Discussion (22 Nov 2023)

Dara Calleary: This was cited by a number of community leaders we met, particularly in Vancouver. Vancouver has become a huge attraction for Irish emigrants and Irish students. It is a very welcoming city and there are huge opportunities there. It was cited that there is a much easier system to manage there. We would like to get people home as well. We hope to bring as many people home as we can, and...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Nitrates Usage (21 Nov 2023)

Dara Calleary: I absolutely agree with the Deputy regarding the vilification of farmers. It is wrong. If we are to have a proper debate on climate change, which is real and happening and will be very real for every person, then vilifying one sector will not allow that. It is wrong and I agree with the Deputy that everybody has to shoulder the burden here. The Minister, Deputy McConalogue, deals daily...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Provision (21 Nov 2023)

Dara Calleary: Go raibh maith ag an Teachta. Aontaím leis go gcaithfidh daoine a chur in iúl go bhfuil suim acu sna tithe nua san Aird Mhór. He will also be aware of the first home scheme which is delivered via a strategic partnership between the State and participating mortgage lenders. It is targeted at first-time or fresh start buyers and will improve access to newly built homes by...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Nitrates Usage (21 Nov 2023)

Dara Calleary: I thank the Deputy for raising this very important issue, which is timely in advance of the Commissioner's visit this week. The Government recognises the importance of maintaining Ireland's nitrates derogation and is committed to seeking to maintain it into the longer term. However, to do this, we must all act together to improve water quality. Our current derogation includes a requirement...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Early Childhood Care and Education (21 Nov 2023)

Dara Calleary: I agree with the Deputy that this is a key and foundational sector of our society. The Government has invested significant resources in it and it is expanding the level of investment in resources and skills. The Government seeks to properly and formally recognise the skills within that sector. We will continue to substantially increase the investment being made. I have gone through the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Provision (21 Nov 2023)

Dara Calleary: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta Ó Cathasaigh as an scéal seo agus as an gceacht stairiúil. Tuigim anois cérbh as na Déise ach cad as don blaa? I am happy to take this on behalf of my colleague, the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, and to update the House on this matter. I note that in line with the Affordable Housing Act 2021, responsibility for the administration...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Early Childhood Care and Education (21 Nov 2023)

Dara Calleary: Táim ag tógáil na díospóireachta seo thar ceann an Aire, an Teachta Roderic O'Gorman. I thank Deputy Ellis for raising this issue. As he will know, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth supports and funds mainstream early learning and childcare. Its underpinning policy and philosophy is one of inclusion and meaningful participation...

Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage (21 Nov 2023)

Dara Calleary: Gabhaim buíochas le gach Teachta as ucht a bheith páirteach sa díospóireacht ar an mBille seo. A high proportion of the population holds health insurance. The Government remains fully committed to the Sláintecare vision of a universal single-tier health and social care system. Work is consistently continuing within the Department of Health and the HSE to progress...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Infrastructure (21 Nov 2023)

Dara Calleary: 106. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the options available to a sports club (details supplied) in County Mayo seeking a fibre broadband connection when civil works have been deemed over budget; if he will intervene in this matter and insist on the works being carried out to facilitate this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50671/23]

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Departmental Policies (21 Nov 2023)

Dara Calleary: A dormant club that is registered as a company under the Companies Act 2014 is required to submit an annual return to the Companies Registration Office, in accordance with section 343 of the Act. The annual return is made up of the B1 Annual Return form, the fee, the financial statements (where applicable) and the signature page. A company may avail of a dormant company audit exemption...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (16 Nov 2023)

Dara Calleary: 132. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 345 of 7 November 2023 if, given the time that had elapsed to date and given the duress being suffered by the community of Crossmolina as a result, he will place a deadline for the return of the information referred to from the OPW. [50420/23]

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Tourism Industry (15 Nov 2023)

Dara Calleary: I thank Senator Chambers for raising this issue and it is important that it is raised and discussed. I am taking it on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, who has addressed the matter previously. She recognises the importance of the tourism sector to the Irish economy and to communities in every corner of Ireland. She has a particular interest in the development of the tourism...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Tourism Industry (15 Nov 2023)

Dara Calleary: As the Senator knows, the Government has agreed to move from an emergency response to a more mainstream approach that will include a reduced reliance on serviced accommodation. In respect of many areas, the analysis has been completed. The Minister has secured a substantial extra budget allocation to support those downstream businesses. She is identifying the work for a specific business...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Heritage Sites (15 Nov 2023)

Dara Calleary: I want to express my sympathies to the Senator, his Fine Gael colleagues and the Belton family on the passing of the former Deputy and Senator from Longford, Louis J. Belton. It was always a pleasure to meet him, and it is quite ironic that we are speaking about a Longford issue here this morning. My thoughts are with you all. As the Senator knows, the OPW is responsible for the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Heritage Sites (15 Nov 2023)

Dara Calleary: I agree the OPW should invest far more in its promotion. I was not aware of its significance even though I pass through the area regularly. Far more work needs to be done on promotion. The storage and public display of an artefact are two different things. It is about ensuring we can protect the integrity of items that go on public display. That will form the basis of the negotiation in...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Teacher Training (15 Nov 2023)

Dara Calleary: I thank the Senator for raising this matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Foley. As noted by the Senator, in the early years of the State the Department of Education had a direct role in funding and oversight of teacher training colleges, which provided all primary initial teacher education, while preparation of teachers for post-primary education took place largely in...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Teacher Training (15 Nov 2023)

Dara Calleary: I will definitely pass that back to the Minister. I have had the pleasure over the years to meet some extraordinary graduates of Carysfort who have made an enormous contribution. Given that it is 50 years since the protest referred to by the Senator, I encourage her to nominate some Carysfort graduates for honorary degrees in the relevant institutions and engage in efforts to mark the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Human Rights (15 Nov 2023)

Dara Calleary: I thank the Senator for raising this issue. The Department of Foreign Affairs, including through the consul general in Hong Kong, has been following Jimmy Lai's situation closely, including his forthcoming trial on charges relating, as the Senator has referred to, the national security law. This trial is scheduled to begin on 18 December, although I understand from the Department that there...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Human Rights (15 Nov 2023)

Dara Calleary: I will convey the Senator's acknowledgement of that to the Tánaiste. As he will be aware, the protection and promotion of human rights is at the heart of Ireland's foreign policy. That is why we raise human rights with all of our partners. We believe strongly in addressing these issues in a transparent, open, and frank manner. This was the Tánaiste's approach during his meeting...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Legislative Process (15 Nov 2023)

Dara Calleary: I thank the Senator. We normally get handed folders for these replies, but it is a pleasure to acknowledge the Senator's extraordinary work on this issue, her leadership and her courage over a long, long time. She has nearly given the response. I will go through it, but I will absolutely convey back the urgency of this and the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, gets the urgency. The Senator knows...