Results 1-20 of 1,081,021 for in 'Dáil debates' OR in 'Committee meetings' (speaker:Tom Kitt OR speaker:Marc Ó Cathasaigh OR speaker:Aodhán Ó Ríordáin OR speaker:Dara Calleary OR speaker:Leo Varadkar OR speaker:Sorca Clarke OR speaker:Michael Lowry OR speaker:Matt Shanahan OR speaker:Colm Burke OR speaker:Roderic O'Gorman OR speaker:James Lawless OR speaker:Danny Healy-Rae OR speaker:Brian Stanley OR speaker:John Lahart OR speaker:Richard Boyd Barrett OR speaker:Cian O'Callaghan OR speaker:Paschal Donohoe)

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Companies (Corporate Governance, Enforcement and Regulatory Provisions) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (9 Oct 2024)

Dara Calleary: Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach, an gcléireach agus an gcoiste as an deis a thabhairt dúinn an Bille tábhachtach seo a phlé. I thank the Chair, committee and secretariat for making time this morning. I was not able to attend the Second Stage debate so I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Emer Higgins, for taking it and acknowledge her and Deputy O'Reilly's...

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Companies (Corporate Governance, Enforcement and Regulatory Provisions) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (9 Oct 2024)

Dara Calleary: I agree that for large companies, that element of public accountability is needed. We have had virtual and hybrid meetings in effect for almost four years, since the start of the pandemic. We have had very few significant issues in that space and we have been watching for them. There is regulation making power in section 176A (9) which will allow the Minister to make regulations around:...

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Companies (Corporate Governance, Enforcement and Regulatory Provisions) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (9 Oct 2024)

Dara Calleary: Absolutely, I am focused on the CEA's resources. Since legislation for the CEA was first proposed in 2018, its resources have been doubled. We also have good arrangements with An Garda Síochána for secondments. Budget 2024 gave a 14% increase on budget 2023 and budget 2025 will increase that again to €11.5 million. However, I will be straight. It is difficult for the CEA...

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Companies (Corporate Governance, Enforcement and Regulatory Provisions) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (9 Oct 2024)

Dara Calleary: I apologise, but I did not hear the question.

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Companies (Corporate Governance, Enforcement and Regulatory Provisions) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (9 Oct 2024)

Dara Calleary: It would be the normal things such as a business bill or a certificate from the Companies Registration Office. We can use eircodes.

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Companies (Corporate Governance, Enforcement and Regulatory Provisions) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (9 Oct 2024)

Dara Calleary: The requirement applies to any company. Any company seeking to register with the registrar would have to provide documentation. The registrar will have the power and scope to seek further documentation, particularly with regard to registration address. I know where the Deputy is coming from. There are many virtual offices and workspaces now but the registrar is very well attuned to and...

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Companies (Corporate Governance, Enforcement and Regulatory Provisions) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (9 Oct 2024)

Dara Calleary: I thank the officials from my Department who are with me. They have worked incredibly hard on this. I am not sure I am going to be back before this particular select committee, although I hope I will be, so I will thank the Cathaoirleach and the various members of the secretariat over the last year. It has always been a good committee to come to. I acknowledge Deputies Bruton and Stanton...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Children’s Hospital: Discussion (9 Oct 2024)

John Lahart: For the benefit of the public, it must be stated that if one is involved in public life or in dealing with contracts for a long time, it can be easy to form the view that the State is always the malign player if things go wrong with a contract. I am not suggesting that there are malign players in this instance, but I have been dealing with school building and road projects in my constituency...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Children’s Hospital: Discussion (9 Oct 2024)

John Lahart: How long did it take to complete?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Children’s Hospital: Discussion (9 Oct 2024)

John Lahart: If I am to interpret this correctly, a change was required, BAM costed this change and this cost is on record?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Children’s Hospital: Discussion (9 Oct 2024)

John Lahart: The cost ran to €25 million, or millions of euro anyway, and was going to delay the contract by months, which was the evidence given to us. To conclude matters in respect of that piece of the jigsaw, what did it cost?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Children’s Hospital: Discussion (9 Oct 2024)

John Lahart: In the public interest, will the Minister give us two or three takes from that meeting with Royal BAM? What was the significance of its involvement as opposed to that of its Irish subsidiary?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Children’s Hospital: Discussion (9 Oct 2024)

John Lahart: Will the Minister explain this for members of the public who are watching? I am sure most of them get what is involved. What does the commissioning of the building mean?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Children’s Hospital: Discussion (9 Oct 2024)

John Lahart: There is fitting out, trial and error testing and all of that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Children’s Hospital: Discussion (9 Oct 2024)

John Lahart: There are suggestions that, because there is a delay, things in the hospital are obsolete, not fit for purpose or out of date. Will the Minister comment on that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Children’s Hospital: Discussion (9 Oct 2024)

John Lahart: Who attended the meeting?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Children’s Hospital: Discussion (9 Oct 2024)

John Lahart: With Royal BAM.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Children’s Hospital: Discussion (9 Oct 2024)

John Lahart: I have one final question for Ms Ross. This is the first time I have encountered her. I wish her the best of luck in her role. What are her takes from that meeting with Royal BAM?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Children’s Hospital: Discussion (9 Oct 2024)

John Lahart: What has given Ms Ross the grounds for that? Was it the meeting, its tone, or the engagement? What justifies it when talking to a taxpayer?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Children’s Hospital: Discussion (9 Oct 2024)

John Lahart: What is the significance of the early access for commissioning? That is maybe lost on me as a layman.