Results 161-180 of 4,055 for speaker:Martin Browne

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (25 Apr 2024)

Martin Browne: I propose that the petitions considered by the committee at this meeting and at previous meetings may be published and the replies from the Department and other bodies may also be published. Is that agreed? Agreed. We have three petitions for consideration. The first of them is No. P00036/21, concerning reform of insurance for thatched heritage buildings, from Katie McNelis. A lot of...

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (25 Apr 2024)

Martin Browne: A lot of work has gone into it. It was suggested at the private meeting that we send the recommendations to the Department as well, to get its comments, because the petitioners have tried what the Minister, the Department and the insurance federation told us when they appeared before the committee. With the new recommendations from the Alliance for Insurance Reform, there might be some way...

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (25 Apr 2024)

Martin Browne: Petition No. P00049/23 seeks the introduction of extra time as a reasonable accommodation for dyslexic students in State examinations - junior cycle and leaving certificate. The petitioner is Ms Rosie Bissett on behalf of the Dyslexia Association of Ireland. A lot of work has gone into this as well, and we know we are working to a tight timeframe. The recommendations are that the...

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (25 Apr 2024)

Martin Browne: The system at the moment has been there for 24 years. I do not think anybody would say that things have not moved on drastically in 24 years. The recommendations from the Dyslexia Association of Ireland should be taken into account. As Deputy Buckley has said, it is only a sticker on a table. That is agreed. That concludes our consideration of public petitions this afternoon. I invite...

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (25 Apr 2024)

Martin Browne: I add my thanks to the lads here - Martha Dowling, Barbara Hughes, Ciaran McConway, Alex Alino and everybody else involved - for the amount of work that goes in behind the scenes. I thank them on behalf of the committee.

Gambling Regulation Bill 2022: Report Stage (24 Apr 2024)

Martin Browne: As other speakers have said, we all appreciate the importance of this Bill as regards gambling, especially the online part of it. There is not a TD in this Chamber who has not been approached by some charity, GAA club or school raising money. It is unbelievable that this is being brought in when there is so much uncertainty out there. We are asking for it to be referred back to the...

Weather-Related Supports for Farmers: Statements (Resumed) (24 Apr 2024)

Martin Browne: One of the issues we generally come across when responding to the needs of farmers is the delay in appropriately addressing things as they happen. The particularly wet weather at the end of last year and to date in 2024 has extended the season in which farmers have had to keep their livestock housed and, as a result, has had a significant impact on feeding costs. Despite the signals that...

Road Safety: Statements (17 Apr 2024)

Martin Browne: We need an all-round approach to road safety to reverse the worrying trend of road deaths we have seen recently. The last time I spoke about this, in February, I drew attention to the fact that the manned deterrent on the roads needs to be increased, yet the ability to provide that increased Garda presence is hamstrung by the shortage of available gardaí. This was pointedly outlined in...

National Cancer Strategy: Motion [Private Members] (16 Apr 2024)

Martin Browne: I also want to thank Deputy Cullinane for tabling the motion. The Minister of State said in her contribution that she would give figures; I am also going to give figures. First, we have had 13 years with Deputies Harris, Varadkar and Stephen Donnelly as Minister for Health that have made the health service worse, with higher hospital overcrowding, hospital waiting times and wasteful...

Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Bill 2024: Second Stage (16 Apr 2024)

Martin Browne: We are living in an ageing society, and it is important we get auto-enrolment right. It is important to provide a financial vehicle to help people to supplement the State pension to enable them greater financial security in retirement, so we must get it right. It is to reward workers and improve their lives post retirement. I refer to the mandatory nature of the automatic opt-in for six...

Committee on Public Petitions: Business of Joint Committee (11 Apr 2024)

Martin Browne: Good morning everyone and welcome to our public meeting. Apologies have been received from Deputies Devlin and Buckley and Senator Craughwell. Before we begin, I congratulate former committee member, Deputy Emer Higgins, on her appointment as Minister of State with responsibility for business, employment and retail at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. She has now been...

Committee on Public Petitions: Campaign for a Walking and Cycling Greenway on the Closed Railway from Sligo to Athenry: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Apr 2024)

Martin Browne: The next item is public petition No. P00030/23 on creating a walking and cycling greenway on the closed railway from Sligo to Athenry, on which issue the committee has heard from, or will hear from, representatives of the Western Rail Trail, Mayo County Council and Iarnród Éireann. The next business is our engagement with representatives from Mayo County Council and Iarnród...

Committee on Public Petitions: Campaign for a Walking and Cycling Greenway on the Closed Railway from Sligo to Athenry: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Apr 2024)

Martin Browne: The Deputy may be aware that we were told the launch was to take place today.

Committee on Public Petitions: Campaign for a Walking and Cycling Greenway on the Closed Railway from Sligo to Athenry: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Apr 2024)

Martin Browne: The Department was asked to appear before the committee with Transport Infrastructure Ireland.

Committee on Public Petitions: Campaign for a Walking and Cycling Greenway on the Closed Railway from Sligo to Athenry: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Apr 2024)

Martin Browne: We have not got any word other than that it would be launched. The Deputy says it did not happen and we believe her.

Committee on Public Petitions: Campaign for a Walking and Cycling Greenway on the Closed Railway from Sligo to Athenry: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Apr 2024)

Martin Browne: I thank members. The question I wanted to ask has been answered at this stage. I agree with Deputy Harkin that there should be no competition. I propose we get the Department and TII in as soon as possible to hear their side before we start making any recommendations. Both sides have been heard at this stage, so it is the Department we need to get in. That is where the uncertainty will...

Committee on Public Petitions: Campaign for a Walking and Cycling Greenway on the Closed Railway from Sligo to Athenry: Discussion (Resumed) (11 Apr 2024)

Martin Browne: I apologise to the witnesses who were due to bring petitions in front of us for the rest of this meeting. Due to circumstances beyond our control, our public representatives have gone back to their constituencies. We will defer the four petitions that were in front of us today until next week's meeting.

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

Martin Browne: Sinn Féin is supportive of establishing of a sovereign wealth fund. With the significant growth in corporation tax receipts in recent years, it is important that the moneys collected in this regard are treated in a manner that protects them in order that they can be used to combat future challenges and crises as they may arise. The design of such a fund must take various factors into...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Disabilities Assessments (9 Apr 2024)

Martin Browne: 1062. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total amount spent by the Health Service Executive on the regional assessment of need hubs in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13690/24]

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Disabilities Assessments (9 Apr 2024)

Martin Browne: 1063. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of assessments of needs accepted by the regional assessment of need hubs in 2023; and the number of assessments completed by the regional hubs in 2023. [13691/24]