Results 341-360 of 5,615 for speaker:Andrew Doyle

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Carer's Allowance Delays (8 Feb 2018)

Andrew Doyle: I am very happy to be able to address the Senator's concern. The issue arises regularly in our constituency offices. I assure the Senator that the prompt processing of applications remains a priority for the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. Each scheme area is continually monitored and reviewed to ensure customers are responded to as quickly as possible, and their...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Climate Change Policy (8 Feb 2018)

Andrew Doyle: I thank the Senator for raising this very topical issue. The Government is fully committed to tackling climate change and protecting the oceans, but it has no plans to ban oil and gas prospecting offshore. Ireland’s transition to a low carbon energy future will involve progressively moving to lower emission fuels, for example, moving initially from peat and coal to natural gas and,...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Climate Change Policy (8 Feb 2018)

Andrew Doyle: I take issue with the Senator's use of the words "some sense". I was Chairman of the Joint Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture in the last Dáil when it discussed energy policy.I was also a member of the previous committee on climate change and energy security and we did a lot of work on renewable energy. There is resistance all over the country to every type...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Climate Change Policy (8 Feb 2018)

Andrew Doyle: That is a very apt phrase.

Island Fisheries (Heritage Licence) Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (1 Feb 2018)

Andrew Doyle: I thank the Deputies for their insight into the introduction of the Bill. I also thank them for their references to the committee that I chaired. When the committee commenced its proceedings, I noted that I was the only member who knew nothing about fishing. I learned a lot, however, and I appreciate the co-operation of Deputies Pringle and Ferris, who were both members of the committee....

Island Fisheries (Heritage Licence) Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (1 Feb 2018)

Andrew Doyle: I will continue. The direct, practical nature of the projects the FLAGs support is impressive and innovative. They include projects such as storage facilities for fishermen, which improve working conditions at harbours and piers, and the promotion of seafood through integration with tourism and community events. Island fishermen and other inshore fishermen can, of course, avail of a range...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: School Accommodation (1 Feb 2018)

Andrew Doyle: I thank Senator Byrne for raising this matter. I apologise on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Bruton, who is unable to be present because he is answering parliamentary questions in the Dáil Chamber. It is unfortunate that the times have clashed. I assure the House that ensuring children with special educational needs are supported and given the opportunity to reach their full potential...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: School Accommodation (1 Feb 2018)

Andrew Doyle: I reassure the Senator that her message will be conveyed back to the Minister. I understand the point that if the Down's syndrome child in question was on the ASD spectrum, he would have been included. I have a first cousin in her 50s who has Down's syndrome, which proves that the life expectancy of such people has improved. I sometimes think she is able to read our minds and buy and sell...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: School Management (1 Feb 2018)

Andrew Doyle: I understand there was a communication between the various people who schedule the business of both Houses and that a request was made to move this particular item to facilitate the Minister to come in. I cannot say for definite how that evolved. I will read out what I was given and the best thing I can do is relate the Senator's concerns to the Minister, which I certainly will do. I thank...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: School Management (1 Feb 2018)

Andrew Doyle: The Senator has made his point. As somebody who has sat on boards of management of special needs schools and other schools, and whose wife has been involved in special needs education in all her 38 years of teaching, I have some knowledge of how schools work.I have four children who went through primary and secondary school, as well as third-level education. I cannot comment except to make a...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Local Authority Funding (1 Feb 2018)

Andrew Doyle: I thank the Senator for raising this important matter. The Government decided on 11 February 2014 to allocate funding of up to €69.5 million to local authorities in the areas worst affected by the severe weather of December 2013 and January 2014 in order to support the restoration of public infrastructure which had been damaged. It was agreed that the funding would be made available...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Local Authority Funding (1 Feb 2018)

Andrew Doyle: When the works were assessed, it was clear which Departments and offices were to be engaged and the Votes involved and, from the outset, it was clear that the OPW was responsible for coastal protection repairs. I think it might be advisable for the Senator-----

Topical Issue Debate: GLAS Payments (16 Jan 2018)

Andrew Doyle: I apologise, to whom is the Deputy referring?

Topical Issue Debate: GLAS Payments (16 Jan 2018)

Andrew Doyle: To go back to the issue concerning the ACs raised by Deputy Ferris, I do not quite understand what that is about but I will try to find out. This is the first I have heard about trainers or participants on one-day training courses not being paid. They would normally get the cheque in the afternoon when they are leaving-----

Topical Issue Debate: GLAS Payments (16 Jan 2018)

Andrew Doyle: That is certainly something that needs to be looked into but I cannot answer the Deputy on it now.

Topical Issue Debate: GLAS Payments (16 Jan 2018)

Andrew Doyle: I do not think it is fair to say that about the Department. We are the most efficient of all EU member states in drawing down money. The Deputy might not like to admit that but it is actually the case. In terms of the IT problem, I must make it clear that there are now three GLAS schemes in operation. There is a myriad of options and permutations, which overwhelmed the IT system. A...

Topical Issue Debate: GLAS Payments (16 Jan 2018)

Andrew Doyle: The Deputy can make flippant comments if he wishes but I am trying to answer the question that was put to me. This time last year, 27,300 farmers had been paid, which was only 72% of the active participants at that time. At the end of this week, 49,700 will have been paid, which is 87% of participants. Improvements have been made although I know that is cold comfort to the people who have...

Topical Issue Debate: GLAS Payments (16 Jan 2018)

Andrew Doyle: I thank the Deputies for raising this matter, which gives me an opportunity to set out the current position regarding GLAS payments. I have just come from the Irish Farm Centre,-----

Topical Issue Debate: GLAS Payments (16 Jan 2018)

Andrew Doyle: -----where I attended the IFA's AGM for a questions and answers session with the Minister, Deputy Creed, who would normally take this Topical Issue debate. This question, among others, was raised. I had to return and deputise while the Minister and the Taoiseach joined the IFA great and good for dinner.

Topical Issue Debate: GLAS Payments (16 Jan 2018)

Andrew Doyle: I am here to answer for everyone. I am pleased with the level of payments made in the past three months. Almost €1.7 billion has issued to farmers in that time, which is the highest amount ever paid. Indeed, Ireland leads other member states in terms of our implementation of the rural development programme and has the second highest drawdown rate of EU funds. GLAS is the most...