Results 1-20 of 123 for speaker:Séamus McGrath

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (15 May 2025)

Séamus McGrath: That is generous.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (15 May 2025)

Séamus McGrath: When the Comptroller and Auditor General highlights an issue in his report, such as a data breach or a procurement concern, is it only highlighted in the report or does he refer it to other bodies such as the Data Protection Commission or is it up to them to pick up on the highlighted issue? Does his office flag it?

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (15 May 2025)

Séamus McGrath: Does the same apply to procurement issues? The Comptroller and Auditor General would not necessarily refer them to the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. It would be highlighted in the report. Does it go anywhere beyond that?

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (15 May 2025)

Séamus McGrath: That is great. On the €6.5 million in the account without any interest, I presume the argument is that it may be needed on demand and so on, but it does not seem to be a good use or good treasury management that it was not earning some degree of interest. I am sure there are financial products out there where you can have money on demand and still receive some interest, so I think...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (15 May 2025)

Séamus McGrath: We will come back to it, I am sure.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (15 May 2025)

Séamus McGrath: But they are interesting.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (15 May 2025)

Séamus McGrath: On a general point, procurement is coming up again and again in terms of the health sector, the education sector and so on. We are under pressure this morning time-wise but we need a discussion on how those issues are addressed. Cumulatively, it can add up to a lot of money that is not used correctly in procurement procedure and getting value for money. There appears to be a significant...

Driving Test Wait Times: Statements (14 May 2025)

Séamus McGrath: I thank the Minister of State for facilitating this debate. I have heard him debating the topic in the Dáil previously and I appreciate he gets the severity of the problem. It is difficult to understand how we are still in this position. Over two years ago, in my previous role as councillor, I had a motion on delays in driving tests. At the time I got a response from the RSA which...

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Economic and Social Council (13 May 2025)

Séamus McGrath: I thank the Taoiseach for his report on NESC. He made reference to its important report on compact growth. As we know, development within urban boundaries is a far more sustainable form of development, with access to key infrastructure, services and utilities. It lends itself more to public transport use and active travel use. It is a far more environmental and sustainable form of...

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Economic and Social Council (13 May 2025)

Séamus McGrath: 13. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the National Economic and Social Council, a statutory agency operating under the aegis of his Department. [24049/25]

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (8 May 2025)

Séamus McGrath: I thank the Minister of State for being here to answer this question. I wish to raise the issue of an additional accommodation scheme application from Ballinora National School in County Cork. I previously submitted parliamentary questions on this issue and the responses indicated that a decision was awaited. I understand that a positive decision has been issued to the school that funding...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (8 May 2025)

Séamus McGrath: I thank the Minister of State for his response, which I welcome, particularly the section towards the end where confirmation is provided about engagement with the school in the past few days and the positive funding decision for the provision of temporary accommodation. I particularly welcome the commitment to engagement over the coming weeks with the school. It is important that active...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Naval Service (8 May 2025)

Séamus McGrath: I thank the Tánaiste for his presence today. Much of what I was intending to ask has already been discussed with regard to the number of vessels at the disposal of the Naval Service, the number in actual deployment and the number we are capable of resourcing and staffing to commission them into deployment. I am very fortunate to live within a couple of miles of the Naval Service HQ...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Naval Service (8 May 2025)

Séamus McGrath: I welcome the Tánaiste's response. As I outlined earlier in terms of the importance of defence and protecting our territorial waters, the role of the Naval Service has expanded quite a lot in recent years in terms of maritime surveillance, protecting our marine assets, deterring criminal activity and smuggling and so on. It is welcome that we have a number of vessels at our disposal....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Naval Service (8 May 2025)

Séamus McGrath: 184. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of naval vessels in the ownership of the Naval Service; and the number currently in active operation-deployment. [17827/25]

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (8 May 2025)

Séamus McGrath: Like the other members, I congratulate Deputy Brady on taking up the position of Chair. It is a very onerous and responsible task. His opening remarks set the right tone for us. This committee is like no other. From what I hear, we try to leave the politics at the door. That is important. We have the shared aim of getting the best value for public expenditure. Unfortunately, in recent...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (8 May 2025)

Séamus McGrath: 41. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he expects contract signing and commencement of construction for the M28 project. [22668/25]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network (8 May 2025)

Séamus McGrath: 53. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy will be reviewed. [22669/25]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (8 May 2025)

Séamus McGrath: 170. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the strength of the Naval Service personnel at the year-end in 2022, 2023 and 2024; and his plans to step up recruitment in the coming period, specifically referring to recruitment targets. [17826/25]

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (1 May 2025)

Séamus McGrath: I refer to the safety of pedestrians on our roads. Between 2019 and 2023, 164 pedestrians were tragically killed on our roads and more than 1,400 sustained serious injuries. The provision of safe pedestrian crossings in our urban areas is critical to reduce this number. Unfortunately, the local authority in my constituency really is strapped for funding to provide new pedestrian crossings...