Results 221-240 of 7,777 for speaker:Joe Costello

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statements 2014 (26 Nov 2015)

Joe Costello: Does it have the authority to make a statutory instrument?

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statements 2014 (26 Nov 2015)

Joe Costello: That seems strange. Is that the correct procedure? I thought all statutory instruments had to come under the authority of the Minister or the Oireachtas.

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statements 2014 (26 Nov 2015)

Joe Costello: If that is the case then why does the Bord na gCon not get on with it? What is the reason for the delay?

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statements 2014 (26 Nov 2015)

Joe Costello: That is very desirable but the explanation does not answer my question. How come Bord na gCon has not dealt with this huge hiatus or gap that exists? Athletes expect to be tested during their training session. I imagine that the same should apply to animals that will contest races. The public will bet on them and there will be prize money. If there is no testing during the period in...

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statements 2014 (26 Nov 2015)

Joe Costello: A case has been processed through the courts where an animal was got at in the kennels, under Bord na gCon's control, that was described earlier. Even though there is strict testing at courses, clearly gaps exist. I am only interested in knowing why we cannot get off-track testing in place because it is necessary.

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statements 2014 (26 Nov 2015)

Joe Costello: When can we expect it?

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statements 2014 (26 Nov 2015)

Joe Costello: I ask Bord na gCon to keep us updated on the matter. My second point is on the Harold's Cross stadium. It has been outlined already that the board is in the process of putting it up for sale. What is the justification for the sale? It is the second stadium in Dublin and is more a local than a national stadium. It is a stadium where a night out at the dogs takes place on a regular...

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statements 2014 (26 Nov 2015)

Joe Costello: They are both profitable at the moment and certainly Harold's Cross stadium is profitable.

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statements 2014 (26 Nov 2015)

Joe Costello: Harold's Cross stadium is a northside stadium. Dublin is not that big a city.

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statements 2014 (26 Nov 2015)

Joe Costello: It is not as if we are talking about a big area of land down the country where a mile and a half is a lot. In Dublin, a mile and a half is fine and the stadium serves the city.

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statements 2014 (26 Nov 2015)

Joe Costello: Nobody ever put that argument forward until Indecon said that Bord na gCon had to do something to reduce its costs. This is a post facto argument that has been put forward to me. How does Bord na gCon propose to effect the sale? Has it sought planning permission in advance? Will it maximise the value of the site? Please give us an idea of where we are at.

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statements 2014 (26 Nov 2015)

Joe Costello: Bord na gCon might include public representatives and Deputies as well and not just local representatives.

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statements 2014 (26 Nov 2015)

Joe Costello: What happens if the board is refused?

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statements 2014 (26 Nov 2015)

Joe Costello: Bord na gCon is providing additional resources, which may or may not be accepted. Whether accepted or rejected, one way or another, the matter is likely to go to An Bord Pleanála and I presume Bord na gCon would pursue the issue. However, if the submission is refused, the land will have very little value in the long term, unless it is rezoned or planning permission is granted for its...

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statements 2014 (26 Nov 2015)

Joe Costello: Ms Larkin is making these remarks separate from all the good work she indicated Bord na gCon will do in future, for example, in the area of branding, the fact that the organisation will control activity to a much greater degree, and the advertising on buses, which I have seen recently. Ms Larkin referred to there not being enough interest in Dublin. There is not enough interest anywhere....

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (19 Nov 2015)

Joe Costello: I have raised this issue before with regard to the National Paediatric Hospital. It is one of the three major projects in my own constituency that incurred enormous expense of State money which was not recoverable. One project was Thornton Hall which incurred €50 million of costs and the other was the Docklands which incurred costs of €52 million and that report has been...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (19 Nov 2015)

Joe Costello: With regard to the Report on the Wards of Court, there is a certain degree of urgency around this because the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Bill 2013 is going through the Final Stages in the Seanad. I believe that Ms Mary Farrell and the families were expecting that this matter might be addressed in that legislation. From speaking with the Minister, I understand that it is not the...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (19 Nov 2015)

Joe Costello: Yes, and is there a role for the Minister for Finance in this or do the Comptroller and Auditor General's powers need to be amended under legislation?

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (19 Nov 2015)

Joe Costello: Will the Comptroller and Auditor General make a comment on this?

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (19 Nov 2015)

Joe Costello: So the Comptroller and Auditor General would need amendment to his legislation determining his remit?