Results 101-120 of 382 for speaker:Seán Connick

Agri-environment Options Scheme. (29 Apr 2010)

Seán Connick: All Deputies are disappointed at the level of litter in our hedgerows and on roadsides around the country. This is an issue which I am sure we are all focused on trying to improve. I remind the Deputy that the scheme is being reviewed on an ongoing basis. I understand the Minister will be keeping a close eye on potential additions that may be required if systems or actions are not working....

River Basin Management Plans. (29 Apr 2010)

Seán Connick: The implementation of the water framework directive, under which river basin management plans are being developed, is a matter for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Draft river basin management plans for each of the river basin districts were published on 22 December 2008 and were open for public consultation for six months until 22 June 2009. The draft plans...

River Basin Management Plans. (29 Apr 2010)

Seán Connick: I again thank the Deputy for raising the issue with me. I take the opportunity to welcome the fact that we at least have a time scale and schedule because the plans have been discussed for the past five years. By 20 April the plans will be adopted - it is a reserve function if necessary. Alternatively, it will be adopted by executive function by 14 May. The EPA is to submit a report to...

River Basin Management Plans. (29 Apr 2010)

Seán Connick: I reject the accusation that nothing has been done. As the Deputy is aware, there was an immediate and swift response to the difficulties which people had. My colleagues across several different Departments were involved in setting up measures in terms of funding for people who were badly affected and also dealing with local authorities to examine the level of flooding which took place. As...

River Basin Management Plans. (29 Apr 2010)

Seán Connick: It is a very big extension. Inspections are currently being carried out, not just by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food but also by the local authorities. We have examined the situation. There is now a combination of co-operation between the local authorities and the Department on the level of inspections. It is an area which is currently being examined. The Minister,...

River Basin Management Plans. (29 Apr 2010)

Seán Connick: I am not sure about that yet. I will let the Deputy know as soon as I find out.

Harbours and Piers. (29 Apr 2010)

Seán Connick: Kerry County Council proposes to construct a new pier at Cromane. The proposed pier will be the property of that local authority who will be responsible for its development, maintenance and repair. Under the fishery harbour and coastal infrastructure development programme my Department has, in previous years, allocated funding to Kerry County Council to progress works at Cromane. This...

Harbours and Piers. (29 Apr 2010)

Seán Connick: The Deputy will probably be aware that there were a number of difficulties with the application to An Bord Pleanála for this pier. In 2009 the board annulled the Kerry County Council compulsory purchase order, CPO, as the route for the road access outlined in that application was different from that which went to public notice in 2005. There are also difficulties with land acquisition....

Harbours and Piers. (29 Apr 2010)

Seán Connick: I thank the Deputy for his best wishes and I look forward to visiting Kerry. The council did not apply for funding in 2009 because An Bord Pleanála had an issue with the planning application. The Department did not put a call out for funding in 2010 because we did not have funds to give out and we had commitments with which we had to comply. We have committed €1.6 million to the project...

Hospital Services. (29 Apr 2010)

Seán Connick: I thank the Deputy for raising the question which I am taking on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney. The Midland Regional Hospital at Mullingar, MRHM, is part of the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group. The aim of the hospital is to deliver a quality-driven, people-centred service to the population of Dublin-Midlands and in particular the...

Hospital Services. (29 Apr 2010)

Seán Connick: I thank Deputy Sherlock for raising this issue which relates to the nursing home support scheme, "a fair deal". The scheme commenced on 27 October 2009 and the HSE is now processing applications. The scheme was introduced in order to address the fundamental inequity in the treatment of public and private long-term nursing home residents and in order to alleviate the financial hardship being...

Human Rights Issues. (29 Apr 2010)

Seán Connick: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter on the Adjournment. The Minister for Foreign Affairs appreciates the opportunity afforded by this debate to address on the floor of the House these matters, to which the Minister has replied in several parliamentary questions over the last week or so, including a reply issued today to a written parliamentary question tabled by Deputy Costello. The...

Schools Building Projects. (29 Apr 2010)

Seán Connick: I am replying to this matter on behalf of my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Mary Coughlan. I thank Deputy Burton for raising this matter as it affords me the opportunity to outline to the Dáil the process being utilised to ensure that there will be adequate accommodation in schools at primary and post-primary levels in all parts of the country. The...

Schools Building Projects. (29 Apr 2010)

Seán Connick: The Deputy will be aware that the Department, under the terms of the Fingal model agreement, requested Fingal County Council to acquire a number of sites in the council's administrative area, including a site for Tyrellstown Educate Together and Mulhuddart national school. Following the recent acquisition of a site by the county council, the previous Minister included both schools in the...

Seanad: Tax Code. (20 Apr 2010)

Seán Connick: I thank the Senator for raising this matter. I wish to deal for a short time with the issue of climate change and both the European and the national response to what is widely recognised as one of the greatest dilemmas facing mankind. I need not spell out the potential devastation that will ensue for farmers and everyone else should the world not respond in an appropriate way to the need to...

Seanad: Library Services (20 Apr 2010)

Seán Connick: I thank the Senator for raising this matter. I understand Donegal County Council has been in regular contact with the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government on this matter. Donegal County Council operated a small public library in Gaoth Dobhair until it sustained extensive flooding on 23 June 2009. The library was housed in the old chapel in Derrybeg which is owned by the...

Seanad: Dental Services (20 Apr 2010)

Seán Connick: On behalf of the Minister for Health and Children, I am happy to have the opportunity to address the issue raised by the Senator. I thank him for his kind words at the beginning of his contribution. We worked together on the South-East Regional Authority and I look forward to working with him in the interests of the people of south east over the coming period. The dental treatment service...

Obesity Levels: Statements (1 Apr 2010)

Seán Connick: I am delighted to make my contribution to this debate, picking up where Deputy Fergus O'Dowd left off. We were all participants in Operation Transformation. I lost 20 lbs during the programme but I have lost approximately two stone at this stage. Last Christmas I was sitting at home thinking I was unfit and unhealthy. I was not feeling great and I had a medical checkup. I decided I would...

Obesity Levels: Statements (1 Apr 2010)

Seán Connick: I am putting in context the scale of the amount involved and the impact it has in this area. I want now to return to the healthy lifestyle we enjoyed as children although I accept that life was different then. When I was growing up in the 1970s and 1980s in most cases there was a parent at home which meant one enjoyed a balanced diet and regular meals on the table. Much of this has been...

Seanad: Lost at Scheme: Motion. (31 Mar 2010)

Seán Connick: It is my second visit. I was on Front Bench cover last week.