Galway West — week of Mon, 14 Dec — Watch Them Work

What your Galway West TDs did this week

Mon, 14 Dec – 20 Dec 2020 · 6 TDs · 4 bills voted on · 74 questions · 0 new lobbying filings

Votes this week

Planning and Development Bill 2020 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages

2020-12-16 · 2 votes

An amendment to the bill · motion failed 52–80

Voted for 1 Mairéad Farrell

Voted against 2 Hildegarde Naughton · Éamon Ó Cuív

Did not vote 4 Catherine Connolly · John Connolly · Noel Grealish · Seán Kyne

An amendment to the bill · motion failed 52–79

Voted for 1 Mairéad Farrell

Voted against 2 Hildegarde Naughton · Éamon Ó Cuív

Did not vote 4 Catherine Connolly · John Connolly · Noel Grealish · Seán Kyne

Impact of Covid-19 Restrictions

2020-12-16 · 1 vote

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 78–59

Voted for 2 Hildegarde Naughton · Éamon Ó Cuív

Voted against 1 Mairéad Farrell

Did not vote 4 Catherine Connolly · John Connolly · Noel Grealish · Seán Kyne

Prohibition of Sulky-Racing Bill 2018

2020-12-16 · 1 vote · Independent PMB

A bill to prohibit sulky racing where no lawful permission has been granted

Whether the bill should proceed (Second Stage) · motion failed 57–75

Voted for 1 Mairéad Farrell

Voted against 2 Hildegarde Naughton · Éamon Ó Cuív

Did not vote 4 Catherine Connolly · John Connolly · Noel Grealish · Seán Kyne

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

2020-12-15 · 1 vote

The motion · motion passed 25–20

Voted for 1 Noel Grealish

Did not vote 5 Catherine Connolly · Hildegarde Naughton · John Connolly · Mairéad Farrell · Seán Kyne

Catherine Connolly — Independent 0 votes · 25 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 25 total

Enterprise 9 questions
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the analysis his Department has carried out into the low uptake of the Brexit loan scheme compared to the uptake of the future growth loan scheme; if unexpended Brexit loan scheme funding will be available for repurposing through bespoke supports for microenterprises and small enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43941/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the universal basic income pilot promised in the programme for Government; the timeline on the proposed pilot; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43943/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the economic and sustainability impact assessment of the EU-Mercosur agreement commissioned by his Department in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in January 2020; when the report will be published; the cost of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43942/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the review by the company law review group on the legal provisions surrounding collective redundancies and the liquidation of companies to ensure that the rights of workers are effectively protected; when he will publish the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43939/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the funding made available to businesses located in County Galway for Brexit preparations through his Department in 2020; the number of businesses which have benefitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44145/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of IDA Ireland site visits to locations in County Galway to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44146/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the additional Covid-19 supports available for businesses in County Galway to help offset the negative impacts of Covid-19; the amounts provided to companies in County Galway under the various schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44147/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the national SME growth plan; when it will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44148/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of plans to transform the Low Pay Commission into a living wage commission; the details of any consultation process initiated by his Department in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44149/20]
Rural 5 questions
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the national islands policy; if the consultation process has been completed to date; when the new policy will be finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43332/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the development of Caladh Mór pier on Inis Meáin; the status of the preparation of a simulation model of the harbour by the National Maritime College of Ireland which was stalled during Covid-19 restrictions; the engagement her Department has had with the National Maritime College of Ireland with regard to the preparation of the model; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43334/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the roll out of the broadband connection points; the number of publicly accessible broadband points that are now live by county; the number of these that are on offshore islands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43333/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 13 of 5 November 2020, the way in which the additional €2 million in funding for the development of master plans for up to 50 towns will be administered; the criteria for a town to be chosen as one of the 50 towns that will develop master plans; when the decision will be made as to the towns which are included on the list of 50 towns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43331/20]
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the development of the new rural policy; when she expects the policy to be finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43330/20]
Further and Higher Education 2 questions
- 2020-12-15 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 177 and 178 of 11 November 2020 and 663 of 24 November 2020, if he has requested a copy of the report from the University of Limerick; if he has requested a copy of the high level outcomes and recommendations from the report; his views on the recommendations of the report; the action he plans to take in response to the findings of the report; if the outcomes of the review have now been shared with the Higher Education Authority; if so, the response of the Authority to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43312/20]
- 2020-12-15 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 661 of 24 November 2020, the status of the higher education staffing agreement; when the principles will be agreed; the engagement there has been with workers and higher education institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43313/20]
Foreign 2 questions
- 2020-12-15 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 403 of 10 November 2020, if US military aircraft never carry arms, ammunition or explosives, are never engaged in intelligence gathering or never form part of military exercises or operations when travelling through Irish airspace or landing at an Irish airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43368/20]
- 2020-12-15 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 406 of 10 November 2020, if the same conditions are applied to the granting of permits for overflights by US military aircraft and military aircraft from all other countries; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43369/20]
Agriculture 2 questions
- 2020-12-15 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for the winding down of the state aid agreement for the forestry sector due to end on 31 December 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43019/20]
- 2020-12-16 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of any and all communication from the European Commission in respect of Irish forestry legislation, in particular the Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2020 and statutory instruments made in 2020 for forestry and their compliance with the Aarhus Convention, the environmental impact assessment directive, including the public participation directive or other EU directives; if he will furnish copies of any such communications; the status of discussions with the European Commission in 2020 on such matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44087/20]
Children 1 question
- 2020-12-15 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons that were made wards of court in 2019 and to date in 2020; the reason for the discrepancies in the figures provided by his Department in Parliamentary Question No. 441 of 8 December 2020, which stated that 385 persons were declared wards in 2019 and 269 persons have been declared wards to date in 2020; and the figures provided by the Department of Justice in Parliamentary Question No. 488 of 8 December 2020, which held that 346 persons were declared wards of court in 2019 and 271 have been declared wards to date in 2020; the correct figure for the number of persons who were declared wards of court in 2019 and to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43383/20]
Justice 1 question
- 2020-12-15 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons that were made wards of court in 2019 and to date in 2020; the reason for the discrepancies in the figures provided by her Department in Parliamentary Question No. 488 of 8 December 2020 which stated that 346 persons were declared wards in 2019 and 271 persons to date in 2020, and the figures provided by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in Parliamentary Question No. 441 of 8 December 2020 which held that 385 persons were declared wards of court in 2019 and 269 to date in 2020; the correct figure for the number of persons who were declared wards of court in 2019 and to date in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43384/20]
Finance 1 question
- 2020-12-16 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Finance if businesses in the activity sector are included in the Covid restrictions support scheme; if not, the reason; his plans to extend the scheme to include businesses in the activity sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43737/20]
Public 1 question
- 2020-12-16 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if there is an obligation on civil servants to supply their written name, as opposed to their initials, in correspondence with members of the public; if exemptions exist on security grounds pursuant to the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour; the specific civil servants, grades and Departments and-or sections of Departments to which this exemption applies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43626/20]
Transport 1 question
- 2020-12-17 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport if persons who had a code 78 applied to a D, D1 licence prior to 30 November 2013, and who also hold a manual category B licence may have the code 78 removed from their D, D1 licence without having to undertake a driver test, under the Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) (Amendment) (No. 8) Regulations 2020 signed on 30 October 2020 transposing Directive (EU) 2020/612. [44399/20]

Hildegarde Naughton — Fine Gael 4 votes · 0 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

John Connolly — Fianna Fáil 0 votes · 0 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Quiet week — no questions filed or new lobbying returns.

Mairéad Farrell — Sinn Féin 4 votes · 4 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 4 total

Further and Higher Education 1 question
- 2020-12-15 Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the €50 million scheme that grants €250 to Irish and EU higher-level students studying in Ireland who have been impacted by Covid-19 which excludes Irish students studying in other EU jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40234/20]
Public 1 question
- 2020-12-15 Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the WRC ruling of 9 June 2020 regarding the funding of the CIÉ pension scheme that is currently being assessed by his Department and the Pensions Authority. [43282/20]
Agriculture 1 question
- 2020-12-15 Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the anger amongst the fishing community regarding large trawlers catching juvenile fish and sprat; and if he will mediate between the groups pending the outcome of the appeal to the High Court. [43320/20]
Rural 1 question
- 2020-12-15 Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the funding that was allocated to the development of Inis Oírr pier in 2020 has been drawn down; if not, the reason; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42882/20]

Noel Grealish — Independent 1 vote · 13 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 13 total

Health 9 questions
- 2020-12-15 Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the number of patients waiting for pain relief treatment at University Hospital Galway, by outpatients and inpatients; the number of years on waiting list and age profile; the longest length of time a patient has been on the waiting list; the steps he plans to take to deal with the inordinately long waiting times for pain relief in Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42899/20]
- 2020-12-15 Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the number of patients waiting for pain relief treatment at each hospital; the average length of time spent on the waiting list in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42900/20]
- 2020-12-15 Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the number of permanent consultant posts currently filled nationally; the number of permanent consultant posts which are currently not filled on a permanent basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42901/20]
- 2020-12-15 Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the number of permanent consultant posts which are currently unfilled nationally; the number of such posts which are filled on a temporary, locum or agency basis, respectively; the number which are vacant, by area; if they are at hospital level or community level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42902/20]
- 2020-12-15 Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the number of permanent consultant posts currently unfilled in the Saolta University Health Care Group, by hospital and specialty; the number of such posts which are filled on a temporary, locum or agency basis, respectively; the number which are vacant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42903/20]
- 2020-12-15 Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the number of permanent consultant posts currently unfilled in the CHO 2 area, by specialty; the number of such posts which are filled on a temporary, locum or agency basis, respectively; the number which are vacant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42904/20]
- 2020-12-15 Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the number of permanent consultant posts which have been unfilled; the length of time the post has been unfilled; the speciality and area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42905/20]
- 2020-12-15 Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health when the currently unfilled permanent consultant posts will be filled; the number planned to be permanently filled in each of the next three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42906/20]
- 2020-12-16 Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health if there is an appeals process under the HSE orthodontic treatment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43631/20]
Education 2 questions
- 2020-12-15 Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Education the basis on which private operators are selected for the provision of school transport; the calculation of rates offered based on the €135 million allocation from her Department; the methodology applying to the overall selection criteria; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43275/20]
- 2020-12-16 Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Education if she will consider amending the current public health Covid-19 guidance to ensure that the HSE informs school principals of positive Covid-19 cases, regardless of parental consent, to help protect teachers and other students in the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43630/20]
Housing 1 question
- 2020-12-15 Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of planning applications received by each local authority in each of the past three years; the number of staff employed in each local authority to deal specifically with planning applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42897/20]
Rural 1 question
- 2020-12-15 Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 914 of 17 November 2020, if the details of the transitional programme of funding for Leader projects has been finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43371/20]

Seán Kyne — Fine Gael 0 votes · 0 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Quiet week — no questions filed or new lobbying returns.