Results 1-20 of 13,264 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Defective Building Materials (21 May 2024)

Joe McHugh: Fáilte ar ais, a Aire Stáit Noonan. I often wonder who listens to the words of TDs. In fairness, at the different times the Minister of State has been here, he has listened. He has been compassionate and showed empathy. However, this is an important question for departmental officials in particular. I certainly do not want to go down the road of bashing officials. They are...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Defective Building Materials (21 May 2024)

Joe McHugh: I thank the Minister of State for the response. He is correct in saying that the legislation states that, within 12 months of the legislation being enacted, the Minister of State has the discretion to increase it by up to 10%. It is important that I point something out. Even at this early stage of the scheme, while the officials' interpretation is that there is no robust data, there is...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Facilities (8 May 2024)

Joe McHugh: 509. To ask the Minister for Health when the plans to add additional space at Letterkenny University Hospital will begin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20227/24]

Written Answers — Department of Health: School Meals Programme (8 May 2024)

Joe McHugh: 639. To ask the Minister for Health what nutritional guidelines are in place for the school meals programme; the measures in place to ensure these guidelines are being complied with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20876/24]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Defective Concrete Blocks: Discussion (1 May 2024)

Joe McHugh: Is Deputy Mac Lochlainn sure?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Defective Concrete Blocks: Discussion (1 May 2024)

Joe McHugh: I thank the Deputy and the Leas-Chathaoirleach. I know I am a visitor here today and not part of this committee, so I really appreciate being let in. I thank all the stakeholders who are here today. This is really helpful, especially at a time when we still have many challenges with the scheme. The more information we can get out there, the better. There were a couple of strong points...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Defective Concrete Blocks: Discussion (1 May 2024)

Joe McHugh: We can do it. I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach. I appreciate that. I want to raise an issue with Ms Byrne. Has she taken account of the submission from Geological Survey Ireland with regard to the new science? Could Ms Byrne come in on that piece? If it repeats what is being discussed here, we could be looking at a completely different scenario in six months' time. Geological Survey...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Defective Concrete Blocks: Discussion (1 May 2024)

Joe McHugh: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Defective Concrete Blocks: Discussion (1 May 2024)

Joe McHugh: I thank Ms Byrne. If the other members agree, maybe in an addendum to the letter to which I refer we should emphasise more haste and proactivity around the science that needs to be done here. Six months is too long. People are making decisions, doing outer leaf work and using four-inch blocks. Those doing the work are flat out but there are still concerns about the inside blocks and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Defective Concrete Blocks: Discussion (1 May 2024)

Joe McHugh: It is a scenario where, if they get approved for an outer leaf, they need a loan. In order to get the loan, they need the insurance certification. It is technical, and I know there will be engagement between the subgroup and the BPFI.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Defective Concrete Blocks: Discussion (1 May 2024)

Joe McHugh: I would be grateful if Ms Murdock could come back to me on that. I know Mr. Horan talked about options 1 to 5, but the real concern is the certificate of completion. I know it is like the Bermuda triangle. One cannot happen without the other. Where are we on an outer leaf with regard to certification? I will leave that there. Insurance Ireland is going to say that it is waiting for...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Defective Concrete Blocks: Discussion (1 May 2024)

Joe McHugh: That is the crux of it. The outer leaf will meet the standards. I am not an engineer. I have been a labourer and carried a hod, but I am not an engineer. I know a wee bit about building. I do not know a great deal but I do not the outer leaf does not carry any weight. The outer leaf is going to be grand. However, what is the position regarding the inner leaf on a house that has Bison...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Defective Concrete Blocks: Discussion (1 May 2024)

Joe McHugh: Mr. Owens is right about it being only one piece of evidence, but he is also aware that there is international evidence from America and Canada.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Defective Concrete Blocks: Discussion (1 May 2024)

Joe McHugh: Professor Paul Dunlop and Dr. Eileen Doherty have done a great deal of research with which Mr. Owens is undoubtedly familiar. Much research has been done. Meanwhile, homeowners have to wait. Just to confirm, did Mr. Owens say that 75% of decisions made under the first scheme by members of his organisation were overturned by the Housing Agency?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Defective Concrete Blocks: Discussion (1 May 2024)

Joe McHugh: Give me that figure again.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Defective Concrete Blocks: Discussion (1 May 2024)

Joe McHugh: What did they say?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Defective Concrete Blocks: Discussion (1 May 2024)

Joe McHugh: Correct, but would Mr. Owens agree that it is still a high figure?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Defective Concrete Blocks: Discussion (1 May 2024)

Joe McHugh: Are there different parameters for engineers in the Housing Agency compared with freelance engineers who are members of Mr. Owens’s organisation? Are there different ways of measuring?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Defective Concrete Blocks: Discussion (1 May 2024)

Joe McHugh: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Defective Concrete Blocks: Discussion (1 May 2024)

Joe McHugh: I will not ask for the witnesses’ opinions as engineers, since engineering is pretty black and white in terms of what is structurally sound and unsound. The language used at this meeting has been consistent. The words “potentially” and “the future” have been used. If there is potential for the further weakening of a structure, that is, the inside block,...