Results 1-20 of 226 for long speaker:Peter Fitzpatrick

Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (2 May 2024)

Peter Fitzpatrick: ...out in the Bill. Maximum recruitment ages are also being increased from 26 to 39 years. These actions are all welcome and will allow existing personnel, who are the backbone of the Defence Forces, to enjoy career longevity while also being able to pass on invaluable experience and organisational knowledge to new recruits, which will facilitate continuity and lead to an enhanced training...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Widow's Pension (30 Apr 2024)

Peter Fitzpatrick: 446. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the State plans to open eligibility to widow's pension to those who were not legally married but in a long-term committed relationship; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18978/24]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Fodder Crisis (25 Apr 2024)

Peter Fitzpatrick: ...out and given them any support. Looking at them, with the number of regulations from the EU and even the local county council, the money they are getting from grants has not been increased for a long time. They are looking for a bit of help to help put food on the table. Will the Minister reinstate it or not?

Support for Carers: Motion [Private Members] (24 Apr 2024)

Peter Fitzpatrick: ...corner of Ireland, there are family carers tirelessly devoting themselves to the well-being of their loved ones. In fact, family carers represent one in eight of the Irish population and have long been the cornerstone of care provision in this country. Whether it is caring for an ageing parent, a spouse with a chronic illness or a child with special needs, these remarkable individuals...

Acknowledgement and Apology to the Families and to the Victims of the Stardust Tragedy: Statements (23 Apr 2024)

Peter Fitzpatrick: ...State apology to the families of victims and survivors of the Stardust tragedy. Perhaps seeing justice being done would help a little and let the victims rest in peace at last, but it has been a long time coming. As a parent and as a grandparent I extend my enormous gratitude to the families, the friends and all the people involved for getting us here today.

RTÉ: Statements (28 Feb 2024)

Peter Fitzpatrick: ...from everybody. It is time to acknowledge that the entire environment has now changed as a result of the RTÉ scandals, which have exacerbated the organisation's funding challenges. The Government has failed for too long to address the question of how to fund public service broadcasting. All possible options need to be considered, learning from our international counterparts while...

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media: Oversight of RTÉ's Expenditure of Public Funds and Governance Issues and Plans for Longer-term Support and Funding for Public Service Media: Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (27 Feb 2024)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I am not being smart. This is going on a long time. This is going on months and months. Every time you think you are finished, something else happens. I will be honest; I do not know anything about the lady at all and I am sure she is very good. If you gave me a copy of your statement this evening, I would give her a job because the reference you gave her was very good but she has been...

Paediatric Orthopaedic and Urology Services: Motion [Private Members] (20 Feb 2024)

Peter Fitzpatrick: ...orthopaedic needs. The complex patient needs of these children remains at the forefront of service provision. However, waiting times for many hospital procedures and appointments are unacceptably long. I remain acutely aware of the impact this has on children and their families, especially for time-sensitive procedures where time is a crucial factor in ensuring these children have a...

Business Costs for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises: Motion [Private Members] (14 Feb 2024)

Peter Fitzpatrick: ...increases in energy, inflation, insurance, cost of labour, national minimum wage increases, higher PRSI, plans for pension auto-enrolment, extended sick-pay entitlements on top of VAT increases, along with many other input factors, MSMEs are finding it very difficult to continue trading. The cumulative impact of these cost increases, as well as the looming deadline of May 1 to pay off...

Reform of the Television Licence Fee Model: Motion [Private Members] (13 Feb 2024)

Peter Fitzpatrick: ...was the only recommendation of the commission to be rejected outright. It is time to acknowledge the entire environment has now changed as a result of the RTÉ scandal, which has exacerbated its funding challenges. Governments have failed for too long to address the question of how to fund public service broadcasting. All options need to be considered, taking learning from our...

Research and Innovation Bill 2023: Second Stage (31 Jan 2024)

Peter Fitzpatrick: ...base that can make a substantive impact on national challenges and opportunities. It will also play an important role in underpinning evidence for policy and supporting Government Departments. The Bill, alongside other recent legislative and policy changes and the ongoing progress of the higher education and research system, may provide us with a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the...

United Kingdom Import Controls: Statements (25 Jan 2024)

Peter Fitzpatrick: ..., and pre-lodged customs declarations. It is expected that shipments that do not have the required declarations submitted at least 24 hours or more in advance will not be allowed to board ferries. Long delays are not expected at Irish ports following the commencement of the new system. All businesses in the agrifood supply chain to Great Britain should engage with their UK customers,...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (14 Dec 2023)

Peter Fitzpatrick: ...process is the same as that for a means-tested medical card whereby you also must provide information about your family's medical expenses. My office regularly sees constituents coming in with long-term illnesses who are struggling to get the services or medicines they need. There are people coming to me whose lives have changed due to a cancer diagnosis and are concerned that they...

Planning and Development Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (7 Dec 2023)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I welcome the opportunity to debate this important and long-anticipated legislation. The Bill impacts many areas, from housing to roads and from renewable energy to environmental and architectural conservation. Given this is once-in-a-generation legislation, we need to ensure we get it right so we meet the needs of society, enhance economic prosperity, promote a good quality of life and...

Renters: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (5 Dec 2023)

Peter Fitzpatrick: ...gap left by reduced social housing availability. The total number of occupied rental properties in the 2022 census was 513,704. However, while the ten-year housing plan may bring relief in the long term, more immediate action is needed to relieve the burden on renters. Combined with booming demand from private renters, properties are in short supply. The number of homes available to...

Neutrality: Motion [Private Members] (28 Nov 2023)

Peter Fitzpatrick: Ireland is one of five member states of the European Union that are not members of NATO. This country has a long-standing policy of military neutrality. It does not join miliary alliances or defence pacts or take part in international conflicts. With almost 10% of the Army deployed to the Middle East, Ireland’s substantial contribution to peacekeeping efforts in the region are...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Second Stage (23 Nov 2023)

Peter Fitzpatrick: ...of their State contributory pension on an annual basis, up to the age of 70. With that in mind, I welcome this Bill wherein the Government recognises that there is a trend to people working longer. While recommendations from the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Social Protection would put the cut-off age for the State pension at 75 on account of the fact that life expectancy in Ireland...

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (15 Nov 2023)

Peter Fitzpatrick: ...increase of 8.1% on the 2016 population. While debating this legislation seems incongruent, we must scrutinise the reports to determine if they adhere to the terms of reference. I take on board that the long-established practice is for the Bill to be welcomed and accepted without amendment. I will support the Bill but it would be remiss of me not to speak on it as it affects my...

Electricity Costs (Emergency Measures) Domestic Accounts Bill 2023: Second Stage (25 Oct 2023)

Peter Fitzpatrick: ...aims to shield consumers across the EU from price spikes, accelerate the deployment of renewable energies and improve consumer protection. While I welcome this progressive step forward, it is a long-term process and negotiations will need to be entered into before legislation is finalised. Therefore, the Government must concentrate on managing supply and demand, and must protect...

Financial Resolutions 2023 - Financial Resolution No. 4: General (Resumed) (11 Oct 2023)

Peter Fitzpatrick: ...of €12 does not cut the mustard. Carers do a fantastic job, and the State is saved a fortune. They need access to respite, better funding and to better services. Finally, I will touch on education. While the reduction in fees and contributions alongside the increase in grants is welcome, I was disappointed to see that there were no measures to tackle class size and teacher...