Results 1-20 of 1,112 for speaker:Peter Fitzpatrick in 'Dáil debates'

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

Peter Fitzpatrick: As a former member of the Defence Forces, I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important Bill. On the back of key recommendations of the Independent Review Group on Dignity and Equality Issues in the Defence Forces and the statutory inquiry into systemic failures in dealing with individual complaints, including sexual misconduct, the creation of an external oversight body was...

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

Peter Fitzpatrick: I am extremely concerned and I am sure the Minister is too. The adverse conditions have been really bad. There have been serious concerns around livestock and tillage. The Minister knows the spring crops such as barley have not been sown yet, even in County Louth, which is normally a very dry county. I ask the Minister again if he intends to reinstate the fodder schemes. There has been...

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

Peter Fitzpatrick: Is it true that Ireland received €1.6 billion in pillar 1 funding from the EU? That figure is effectively the same as it was ten years ago, despite significant inflation. The Minister mentioned that fertiliser, diesel and so on have gone up in price. Farmers are really struggling. I am a spokesperson for them. Everything has been put on hold for the past number of months. Farmers...

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

Peter Fitzpatrick: 55. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he intends to reinstate the fodder scheme to help compensate farmers for the financial losses they are facing due to the particularly wet conditions this spring; if flexibility is being extended and consideration being given to farmers who are struggling to meet the stipulated three-cop rule due to very difficult weather and...

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

Peter Fitzpatrick: Does the Minister intend to reinstate the fodder scheme to help compensate farmers for the financial losses they are facing due to the particularly wet conditions this spring? Will there be flexibility and will consideration be given to farmers who are struggling to meet the stipulated three-crop rule due to very difficult weather and ground conditions? Will he make a statement on the matter?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Social Welfare Offices (25 Apr 2024)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I spoke to the Tánaiste about the criteria in respect of the fuel allowance yesterday. We spoke about people being on pensions, including private pensions. I know of a family where a husband is 66 years of age and the wife has a private pension. They are below the level to qualify for the fuel allowance, but still cannot get it. What will the Minister do about this? Will she update...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (24 Apr 2024)

Peter Fitzpatrick: Many people are struggling to pay their bills. The fuel allowance provides vital support for so many households across the nation and especially for older people and those with chronic pain. To qualify for fuel allowance one must live alone or with a spouse, in a civil partnership, or with a cohabitant who qualifies the person for an increase in his or her pension or social welfare. For a...

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

Peter Fitzpatrick: The recent referendum has once again shone a light on the critical role carers play in our communities. In every 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...

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

Peter Fitzpatrick: On the night of 14 February 1981, many parents' worst nightmare came true. Forty-eight young people in the prime of their lives went out to the Stardust nightclub in Artane to celebrate St. Valentine's Day but never came home. Witnesses spoke of fire exits being locked and chained, which was denied by management. There were two inquests, one tribunal of inquiry, a compensation tribunal and...

Road Safety: Statements (17 Apr 2024)

Peter Fitzpatrick: As recently as five years ago, Ireland was being celebrated within the EU for its road safety. Yet, in 2024, it is on course to prove the most lethal for traffic fatalities in 15 years. An alarming trend is in the disproportionate number of young people aged between 16 to 25 years who are involved in road fatalities. Speeding and intoxicated drivers are contributing to dozens of fatalities...

Future Ireland Fund and Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund Bill 2024: Second Stage (10 Apr 2024)

Peter Fitzpatrick: During budget 2024, the future Ireland fund was highlighted as a crucial measure to safeguard living standards and public services for both current and future generations. The fund will act as a new investment vehicle, which aims to accumulate €100 billion by 2035 to address the country's forthcoming expenditure pressures, specifically in relation to an ageing population, climate...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (21 Mar 2024)

Peter Fitzpatrick: Massive population expansion has resulted in increased need for the creation of new schools and school places, special needs places in particular, and greater accessibility to them. In the budget, the Government made provision for additional special needs teachers and special needs assistants. This is very welcome. However, there are serious problems relating to early intervention....

Supporting People with Disabilities and Carers: Motion [Private Members] (5 Mar 2024)

Peter Fitzpatrick: While the upcoming referendum on care in the home aims to provide constitutional recognition for Ireland's family carers, the Governments needs to provide much more substantial supports to both carers and those with disabilities. Financial supports for people with disabilities and family carers are inadequate and fail minimum essential standards of living tests. The Department’s own...

RTÉ: Statements (28 Feb 2024)

Peter Fitzpatrick: The problems that exist in RTÉ are not of the Minister, Deputy Martin's making by any means. While I do not agree with how the situation was handled last week, the Minister is focused on her work in supporting RTÉ. She has been a champion for RTÉ and for the importance of public service broadcasting. Her sole focus has been on getting the truth, achieving maximum...

Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) [Private Members] (27 Feb 2024)

Peter Fitzpatrick: In the programme for government document Our Shared Future, published in 2021, 16 commitments were made to children and young people. While the Government made progress in areas such as online safety, affordable access to childcare and the school books scheme expansion during 2023, when it comes to mental health care and supports we continue to fall far short of what is required. ...

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

Peter Fitzpatrick: Children with a range of needs rely on the orthopaedic service of Children’s Health Ireland, among them children with spina bifida, scoliosis, hip deformity and other 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...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (20 Feb 2024)

Peter Fitzpatrick: Last week, it was announced that the largest hotel in Drogheda, the D Hotel, with 113 rooms, is to become an accommodation centre for 500 international protection applicants, starting from 5 March. We were told the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth will manage the arrival of the people. We were told that the provision of accommodation, health, education,...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (20 Feb 2024)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I thank the Taoiseach for his response. What I am asking is that we make sure we have the funding and services going forward. As the Minister for Health knows, Louth County Hospital has a very good stroke unit, and the people from the local area avail of it. My problem is that the prediction for the period up to 2025 is a 60% increase in strokes. Therefore, it is important that we invest...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (20 Feb 2024)

Peter Fitzpatrick: As the Taoiseach knows, a thrombectomy is a surgery to remove a blood clot from an artery or a vein. The procedure can restore bloodflow to vital organs, such as legs, arms, intestines, kidneys, brain or other vital organs. A thrombectomy can also greatly reduce the risk of death or permanent disablement if performed properly. A thrombectomy must be preformed within a matter of hours to...