Louth — week of Mon, 16 Nov

What your Louth TDs did this week

Mon, 16 Nov – 22 Nov 2020 · 5 TDs · 2 bills voted on · 84 questions · 0 new lobbying filings

Votes this week

Appointment of Ordinary Member of Standards in Public Office Commission

2020-11-18 · 1 vote

The motion · motion passed 87–57

Voted for 2 Fergus O'Dowd · Peter Fitzpatrick

Voted against 3 Ged Nash · Imelda Munster · Ruairí Ó Murchú

Did not vote 3 Erin McGreehan · Joanna Byrne · Paula Butterly

Scrambler Motorbikes and Quad Bikes

2020-11-18 · 2 votes

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 84–57

Voted for 2 Fergus O'Dowd · Peter Fitzpatrick

Voted against 3 Ged Nash · Imelda Munster · Ruairí Ó Murchú

Did not vote 3 Erin McGreehan · Joanna Byrne · Paula Butterly

The motion · motion passed 85–57

Voted for 2 Fergus O'Dowd · Peter Fitzpatrick

Voted against 3 Ged Nash · Imelda Munster · Ruairí Ó Murchú

Did not vote 3 Erin McGreehan · Joanna Byrne · Paula Butterly

Erin McGreehan — Fianna Fáil 0 votes · 0 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Quiet week — no questions filed or new lobbying returns.

Ged Nash — Labour Party 3 votes · 50 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 50 total

Finance 13 questions
- 2020-11-17 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the amount of additional ring-fenced funding to be provided to domestic violence services under budget 2021 in order that services can respond adequately to increased incidence of domestic violence through Covid-19 and beyond; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37129/20]
- 2020-11-17 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance his plans to review the arrangements under the relationship framework in respect of the relationship between him and a bank (details supplied) in view of Covid-19 and the upcoming national economic plan; his views on whether the State-owned bank could offer business and personal loans at ECB interest rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36730/20]
- 2020-11-17 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the total value in cash terms of the support availed of by a company (details supplied) under the temporary wage subsidy scheme; his views on whether this was an effective use of public funding in view of a recent report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36731/20]
- 2020-11-17 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance his views on the policy of banks requesting mortgage applicants to confirm whether their employer is seeking State Covid assistance through the employment wage subsidy scheme; his views on whether banks may use the publication of the list of firms availing of the scheme to deny entire cohorts of workers the opportunity to obtain mortgages; his plans to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36732/20]
- 2020-11-17 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if he or the regulator have plans to develop a public information campaign to highlight the potential savings available through mortgage switching as outlined in a recent Central Bank report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36733/20]
- 2020-11-17 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if his Department has received a copy of the terms of reference for the strategic review being undertaken by a bank (details supplied); and if so, if he will publish the terms of reference without delay. [37112/20]
- 2020-11-17 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance his plans to broaden the save-as-you-earn scheme out to financial institutions that take deposits but which may not be a bank. [37115/20]
- 2020-11-17 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance his views on Ireland’s position on the indicative roadmap on the introduction of new EU own resources over the 2021 to 2027 period agreed by the EU on 10 November 2020 which includes a plastics-based contribution as of 2021, an emissions trading system-based own resource from 2023, possibly linked with a carbon border adjustment mechanism, a digital levy from 2023, a financial transactions tax-based own resource in addition to a financial contribution linked to the corporate sector or a new common corporate tax base from 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37116/20]
- 2020-11-18 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the number of enforcement actions for breaches of the consumer protection code since July 2016, excluding the tracker mortgage scandal, that have been considered by the Central Bank in each year since then; the details of same without identifying the individual or firms in question; the reason none progressed to an enforcement action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37368/20]
- 2020-11-18 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the threshold that must be met for enforcement action to be commenced by the Central Bank for breaches of the consumer protection codes; if the current policy is to pursue other options first; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37369/20]
- 2020-11-18 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance his views on the lack of enforcement action for breaches of the consumer protection codes since July 2016 exclusive of the tracker mortgage scandal; if he has discussed this directly with the Governor of the Central Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37370/20]
- 2020-11-18 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if tax-paying pensioners on pensions alone have no entitlement to either earned income credits despite the Revenue Commissioners classification of pensions as earned income; his views on whether this amount to discrimination against the earned income of tax paying pensioners; his plans to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37371/20]
- 2020-11-19 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether it is fair and proper that a bank (details supplied) in which the State owns a significant share is informing customers that their credit history will be negatively affected with the application of a Covid-19 payment break; if payment breaks can only be applied once throughout the lifecycle of a mortgage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37615/20]
Public 7 questions
- 2020-11-17 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when he plans to introduce legislation to enhance section 22 of the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015; his views on whether a breach of the section by former Ministers or relevant public officials should be made an offence; his further views on whether sanctions proposed in legislation (details supplied) should be included in any legislation proposing to deal with the matter of public policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36579/20]
- 2020-11-17 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on a recent report by the Oireachtas Committee on Budgetary Oversight, which suggests that parliamentary oversight in the budgetary cycle may be suboptimal; his plans and proposed timeframe for reforms of the budgetary process to improve parliamentary oversight in view of increased public expenditure during the Covid-19 crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36582/20]
- 2020-11-17 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the recent proposals for an EU directive (details supplied) which includes the call for an action plan to promote collective bargaining; his plans to update the national public procurement policy framework to help promote collective bargaining given that countries with high collective bargaining coverage tend to display a lower share of low-wage workers, higher minimum wages relative to the median wage, lower wage inequality and higher wages than others; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36584/20]
- 2020-11-17 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will implement a right to disconnect policy across the public services given the increased incidence of remote working; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36580/20]
- 2020-11-17 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to introduce new reforms to ensure enhanced monitoring, transparency and effectiveness of public spending in view of the overspend on a series of flagship projects, including the national broadband plan, with a 500% cost overrun, the national children's hospital, with a 94% overrun, and Dublin Port tunnel, with a 160% overrun; if he plans to introduce new reforms before the completion of the current review of the national development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36581/20]
- 2020-11-17 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of additional ring-fenced funding to be provided to domestic violence services under budget 2021 in order that services can respond adequately to increased incidence of domestic violence through Covid-19 and beyond; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37134/20]
- 2020-11-17 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a bank (details supplied) has been awarded State contracts in each of the years 2016 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37113/20]
Tourism 4 questions
- 2020-11-17 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the amount of additional ring-fenced funding to be provided to domestic violence services under budget 2021 in order that services can respond adequately to increased incidence of domestic violence through Covid-19 and beyond; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37138/20]
- 2020-11-17 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if UK-licensed television broadcasters that sell advertising aimed at the Irish market on an opt-out basis will be entitled to continue their operations here in the event of a no-deal Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36552/20]
- 2020-11-17 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason the Irish step dance community is unable to operate indoor solo classes by following a pod system and adhering to strict social distancing guidelines at levels 3 and 4 of the plan for living with Covid-19; her views on whether this is fair given that similar and comparable artistic and athletic activities such as stage school, gymnastics and drama for children have been allowed to continue; her further views on whether this inconsistency is both unfair and may potentially put Irish step dance under threat if prolonged; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37117/20]
- 2020-11-17 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason for the closure of outdoor sporting facilities for athletics available for all but exempted activities; her views on whether it is fair that such outdoor sporting facilities remain closed while other local sporting facilities operated by other similar organisations (details supplied) remain open; her views on whether the same rules should be applied for all similar and comparable facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37118/20]
Housing 4 questions
- 2020-11-17 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of additional ring-fenced funding to be provided to domestic violence services under budget 2021 in order that services can respond adequately to the increased incidence of domestic violence through the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37132/20]
- 2020-11-17 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when a decision will be made on a funding application to develop the northern port access route in Drogheda, County Louth; the amount applied for by Louth County Council in the current application round; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36410/20]
- 2020-11-17 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of shared ownership housing arrangements that remain in place by local authority; the number of such arrangements that have been restructured involving the rolling-up of all outstanding debt under a shared ownership arrangement into a single annuity loan since 1 April 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36515/20]
- 2020-11-17 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if funding will be provided for a collaborative town centre health check for Drogheda, County Louth; his views on whether such an initiative should be undertaken to support the regeneration of the town centre area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36638/20]
Education 4 questions
- 2020-11-17 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education the amount of additional ring-fenced funding to be provided to domestic violence services under budget 2021 in order that services can respond adequately to increased incidence of domestic violence through Covid-19 and beyond; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37126/20]
- 2020-11-17 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education her views on the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of mechanical ventilation for schools in view of Covid-19, current ventilation guidelines regarding the opening of windows and the expected drop in temperatures during the winter months; if financial resources are available for schools wishing to install mechanical ventilation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36406/20]
- 2020-11-17 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education if additional places will be provided at a school (details supplied) in view of the demand for first year places for the 2021/2022 academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36409/20]
- 2020-11-17 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education if she will request the Louth Meath Education and Training Board to provide immediate comprehensive support to an organisation (details supplied) by making a suitable building temporarily available in order that the board can open a Gaelcholáiste in County Louth in time for children to register for September 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36526/20]
Health 4 questions
- 2020-11-17 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health the amount of additional ring-fenced funding to be provided to domestic violence services under budget 2021 in order that services can respond adequately to increased incidence of domestic violence through Covid-19 and beyond; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37131/20]
- 2020-11-17 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health the status of partners who wish to attend maternity care; if clarity will be provided on same; the status of water births under level 5 restrictions at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36407/20]
- 2020-11-17 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health the amounts paid to each general practitioner and practice in CHO 8 in 2018 and 2019 for the treatment of medical card patients under the GMS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37110/20]
- 2020-11-17 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons who in previous years received the flu jab are unable to obtain it in spite of Covid-19; his views on whether the decision to acquire only 20% more doses of the flu jab compared with 2019 was short-sighted given, for example, that the UK has sought to double the number of persons vaccinated in 2020; if he regrets the decision not to make the flu jab available for all persons who require it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37111/20]
Taoiseach 3 questions
- 2020-11-17 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Taoiseach the status of the proposed national economic plan; and when it will be published. [36729/20]
- 2020-11-17 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Taoiseach the amount of additional ring-fenced funding to be provided to domestic violence services under budget 2021 in order that services can respond adequately to increased incidence of domestic violence through Covid-19 and beyond. [37137/20]
- 2020-11-17 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Taoiseach the number of meetings of the climate action delivery board that have taken place to date in 2020; and the number scheduled for the remainder of 2020. [36072/20]
Defence 3 questions
- 2020-11-17 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Defence the amount of additional ring-fenced funding to be provided to domestic violence services under budget 2021 in order that services can respond adequately to increased incidence of domestic violence through Covid-19 and beyond; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37125/20]
- 2020-11-17 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Defence the number of aircraft purchased in 2020; the cost for each aircraft; the purpose of each new aircraft; the persons or body that operates them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37119/20]
- 2020-11-17 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Defence the additional provisions being given to the Air Corps to deal with additional demands from the HSE, in particular the demand for emergency airlift provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37120/20]
Social 2 questions
- 2020-11-17 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount of additional ring-fenced funding to be provided to domestic violence services under Budget 2021 in order that services can respond adequately to increased incidence of domestic violence through Covid-19 and beyond; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37136/20]
- 2020-11-17 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Social Protection when a PPSN will be issued to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36231/20]
Enterprise 1 question
- 2020-11-17 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount of additional ring-fenced funding to be provided to domestic violence services under Budget 2021 in order that services can respond adequately to increased incidence of domestic violence through Covid-19 and beyond; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37127/20]
Environment 1 question
- 2020-11-17 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of additional ring-fenced funding to be provided to domestic violence services under budget 2021 in order that services can respond adequately to increased incidence of domestic violence through Covid-19 and beyond; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37128/20]
Children 1 question
- 2020-11-17 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount of additional ring-fenced funding to be provided to domestic violence services under Budget 2021 in order that services can respond adequately to increased incidence of domestic violence through Covid-19 and beyond; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37124/20]
Further and Higher Education 1 question
- 2020-11-17 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount of additional ring-fenced funding to be provided to domestic violence services under Budget 2021 in order that services can respond adequately to increased incidence of domestic violence through Covid-19 and beyond; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37130/20]
Justice 1 question
- 2020-11-17 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Justice the amount of additional ring-fenced funding to be provided to domestic violence services under Budget 2021 in order that services can respond adequately to increased incidence of domestic violence through Covid-19 and beyond; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37133/20]
Rural 1 question
- 2020-11-17 Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the nature of the funding relationship between an organisation (details supplied) and Pobal; if the funding relationship remains in place; if Pobal is satisfied that all the recommendations contained in the verification report carried out by the agency in 2017 into expenditure funded under the community services programme have been implemented; if Pobal is satisfied in general with the robustness of the financial reporting procedures in place at the organisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36223/20]

Joanna Byrne — Sinn Féin 0 votes · 0 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Quiet week — no questions filed or new lobbying returns.

Paula Butterly — Fine Gael 0 votes · 0 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Quiet week — no questions filed or new lobbying returns.

Ruairí Ó Murchú — Sinn Féin 3 votes · 1 question · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 1 total

Public 1 question
- 2020-11-17 Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of flood relief measures for Carlingford, Greenore, County Louth; and the progress to date. [36705/20]