Results 101-120 of 7,777 for speaker:Joe Costello

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (28 Jan 2016)

Joe Costello: Can we take it on the basis that it will be sitting and that we issue an invitation to-----

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (28 Jan 2016)

Joe Costello: That is fine.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (28 Jan 2016)

Joe Costello: I agree entirely with Deputy Perry, who has made a very strong case. This has been going on for so long now, and justice delayed is justice denied. It has been kicked around like a football, so a strong recommendation coming from this committee in favour of what was outlined by Deputy Perry would be very welcome.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (28 Jan 2016)

Joe Costello: We raised it at the meeting last week and asked for further information, because the information they provided was too limited and did not give a clear indication as to why they were-----

Topical Issue Debate: NAMA Social Housing Provision (21 Jan 2016)

Joe Costello: While I find it hard to disagree with the Minister of State, in this case I must. I do not accept the local authorities could refuse nearly two thirds of the houses that had been identified as potential social housing properties by NAMA between December 2011 and December 2015 and that the agency would sell them off to the private sector, which snapped them up. I am not satisfied the reasons...

Topical Issue Debate: NAMA Social Housing Provision (21 Jan 2016)

Joe Costello: This issue is quite important because of the amount of potential social housing that was available and is no longer available. In December 2011, the National Assets Management Agency, NAMA, announced it would facilitate the provision of units for social housing over a period of time. A steering group was established, comprising the Department of the Environment, Community and Local...

National Tourism Development Authority (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Jan 2016)

Joe Costello: The Government has always been very supportive of the tourism industry. When this Government came into office in 2011, the first budget introduced a one third reduction in VAT in the hospitality sector from 13.5% to 9%. That stimulated and incentivised, and was an enormous success in bringing about record levels of tourism this year. However, the hospitality sector has not reciprocated....

National Tourism Development Authority (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage (21 Jan 2016)

Joe Costello: That is correct. I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak on the National Tourism Development Authority (Amendment) Bill 2015. It is a short Bill but is quite important because it will double the amount of the State subventions that can be made available for enterprises and projects relating to tourism traffic and tourist facilities nationwide. That is important because although we...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (21 Jan 2016)

Joe Costello: We asked the Higher Education Authority, HEA, to provide the following: a breakdown of the figures and costs arising from the creation of the three planned technological universities in Munster, the south east and Dublin. Have the figures come in?

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (21 Jan 2016)

Joe Costello: Agreed.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (21 Jan 2016)

Joe Costello: I agree with your proposal, Chairman. I was not present when Mr. Cantwell made his original remarks and brought to our attention his concerns about the unauthorised dumping of thousands of tonnes of waste and the manner in which various contracts were made. However, I have met and spoken to Mr. Cantwell and the issues he raises are very substantial. We read in the letter he sent to the...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (21 Jan 2016)

Joe Costello: Is that the end of the individual correspondence?

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (21 Jan 2016)

Joe Costello: Before we conclude it, with the Chairman's indulgence, I wish to add an item. I received it from Mr. Kevin Browne, who had a catering contract with the OPW, then with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and subsequently with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. I provided it too late for it to be circulated to the members but I would appreciate if the...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (21 Jan 2016)

Joe Costello: So we would write to the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and get their advice. Then it would be on the record for future business.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (21 Jan 2016)

Joe Costello: Thank you very much.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (21 Jan 2016)

Joe Costello: There was one item I missed out on, No. 3A.9 from NAMA, on the provision of units for the purpose of social housing. We got a report from NAMA, but when we read it we are scarcely the wiser. This concerns the famous 6,574 units which were originally identified by NAMA for consideration by the local authorities. The local authorities decided that 4,048 of the units were not suitable. NAMA...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (21 Jan 2016)

Joe Costello: No; these were completed units.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (21 Jan 2016)

Joe Costello: That is true.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (21 Jan 2016)

Joe Costello: I was not here when the original allegations were brought to light. The work Deputy Deasy and the Chairman have done reveals an appalling catalogue of failures by the HSE and the arrogance of the attitude that all it has to do is circle the wagons and defend its system. We are discussing the sexual exploitation of vulnerable people. The matter must be kept on the agenda and we must...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (21 Jan 2016)

Joe Costello: Would the discussion include the recent report by Bobby Kerr on the future of the post offices?