Podcasts about oireachtas committee

Dia daoibhse from LondonI'm writing this week's column in London. Today, Monday, I'm in the Royal Courts of Justice in a civil case that has been brought against me by three claimants, innocent victims, who were injured in three IRA bomb attacks in 1973 and 1996. They are alleging that I was party to those attacks.There was a small crowd of former British soldiers outside the Court and some in the court room itself. There were also some people with tricolours showing their support.Today the legal teams for the claimants and for me made their opening submissions. My legal team set out logically and clearly my position. In summary, they said that I have consistently rejected claims that I was in the IRA. In this case I am also stating emphatically and unequivocally that I had no involvement in the three bomb attacks. Moore St Bill wins Unanimous BackingMeanwhile the legal challenge being taken by the Moore Street Preservation Trust against the plans by developer Hammerson, to destroy much of the historic 1916 Battlefield site in Dublin, is up for mention shortly in another Court. This time in Dublin. However, the case itself is unlikely to be heard until the autumn.Last week an important draft piece of legislation - An Bille um Cheathrú Chultúir 1916, 2021 - the 1916 Cultural Quarter Bill – to designate the Moore Street 1916 battlefield site as a Cultural Quarter, received unanimous support when it was discussed at the Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage. This was an important moment in the campaign to save the Moore St Battlefield site. Among those who supported the Bill were Cathaoirleach Mícheál Carrigy TD (FG), Paul McAuliffe TD (FF), Senator Maria McCormack (SF), Seamus McGrath TD (FF), Senator Aubrey McCarthy (Independent) and Tommy Gould TD (SF).Seachtain na GaeilgeWe are in the midst of Seachtain na Gaeilge. It used to run for one just week, but its popularity is now such that it has been extended to cover the period from March 1 to 17 – St Patrick's Day.It is very appropriate that it has been officially confirmed that Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, which will take place this August, is already slated to return to Belfast next year. Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is the world's largest annual Irish traditional music festival and is expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors to Belfast.Is í Seachtain na Gaeilge an ceiliúradh is mó den Ghaeilge agus cultúr na hÉireann ar domhan. Bhí an oiread sin ráchairt uirthi gur síneodh amach chuig coicís í. Bíonn sí ar siúl ashan bhliain ó Márta 1 go dtí 17 - Lá Fhéile Pádraig.

Many survivors of sexual assault did not remember consenting to the use of their counselling notes in court, a survey has found.The survey, carried out by survivor led charity Beyond Surviving, has received over 240 responses within 24 hours and found that many survivors did not recall giving informed consent for their notes to be accessed and used in courts.These findings come as amended legislation on the matter is due to come before the Oireachtas Committee.Founder Ciara Mangan and Solicitor Sarah Grace join Andrea to discuss.

The Government has confirmed there will be no reduction in Special Needs Assistants in schools next year, following a major public backlash over proposed cuts affecting almost 200 schools nationwide — including some here in Clare. An additional €19 million has now been allocated, but questions remain about how the situation arose and what happens when a fresh review of SNA posts takes place next year. Meanwhile, SNA's and parents of children with additional needs will protest outside the Dáil at 5pm this evening - with simultaneous demonstrations in Limerick, Cork, Galway and Buncrana. They're going ahead with their planned protests, despite a Government U-turn on SNA allocations. Alan Morrissey was joined by Meelick Fianna Fáil TD and Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth, Cathal Crowe, and Shannon Sinn Féin TD Donna McGettigan to discuss this. Photo © JasonDoiy from Getty Images Signature via Canva

There will be no reduction in the number of special needs assistants next year. An extra €19 million euro has been agreed to fund SNAs. It follows a meeting with several ministers last night, over a public backlash to planned SNA cuts in almost 200 schools around the country. Clare Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe, who's Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth says it will be a huge relief to pupils and parents.

James Geoghegan, Fine Gael TD for Dublin Bay South / Conor McGuinness, Sinn Féin TD for Waterford / Jen Cummins, Social Democrats TD for Dublin South-Central /Ciara O'Loughlin, political correspondent, The Irish Mirror

Jennifer Whitmore, Social Democrats TD & Cathal Crowe, Fianna Fail TD and member of the joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport

The Government is planning to put forward new laws to ban under-16s from having online accounts, with age verification tools. Cabinet ministers are understood to be prioritising the proposed legislation ahead of Ireland's EU Presidency in June. Last December, Australia became the first country to restrict teenagers from social media, with others planning similar bans. However, Fianna Fail TD Malcom Byrne, who's chairperson of the Oireachtas Committee on Artificial Intelligence, thinks the Government should wait to see what impact Australia's ban is having. To unpack what this could mean in practice — from technology and enforcement to privacy and business impact — Alan Morrissey spoke with Pat Clarke Browne, Technology Expert with Munster Business and Garrett Greene, Lecturer in Law at the Technological University of the Shannon. Image © Getty Images via istockphoto.com

A Clare haulier claims the Road Safety Authority is 'broken beyond repair.' Representatives from the Irish Road Haulage Association are making submissions to an Oireachtas Committee on reforms. The association is to tell the committee that the certificate of professional competence isn't fit for purpose. Deputy Vice President of the Irish Road Haulage Association, Eugene Drennan, of Spa Transport in Ennis, has told the committee the driving test also needs to be reformed.

Poor visibility from cyclists and the ongoing lack of a transport police are among the issues to be raised by bus drivers' unions at a meeting of the joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport later today. Among those speaking is Thomas O'Connor, Assistant General Secretary with the National Bus and Railworkers' Union.

Poor visibility from cyclists and the ongoing lack of a transport police are among the issues to be raised by bus drivers' unions at a meeting of the joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport later today. Among those speaking is Thomas O'Connor, Assistant General Secretary with the National Bus and Railworkers' Union.

Alan Kelly, Labour TD and Chair of the Media Committee

The Oireachtas Media Committee met today to discuss the regulation of online platforms, with senior staff from Meta, Google and TikTok. Social media platform X has refused the invitation . It comes for Age verification for social media to go before Cabinet Sinead Gibney is Social Democrats TD for Dublin Rathdown, and member of the Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport.She joined Ciara and Shane to discuss what issues were raised at the Media Committee today.

Online safety expert Eoghan Cleary joins the panel of Micheál Carrigy, Fine Gael TD for Longford – Westmeath, Louis O'Hara, Sinn Féin TD for Galway East, Sinéad Gibney, Social Democrats TD for Dublin Rathdown and Gabija Gataveskaite, BBC Dublin Correspondent.

The use of imported Brazilian beef by Dawn Farm Foods has sparked anger among Irish farmers, with critics saying it creates a conflict of interest for Bord Bia chair Larry Murrin, whose role is to promote Irish food. Protests are ongoing outside Bord Bia offices, and the issue is now heading to the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture. Meanwhile, farmers are expressing concern as China closes off its market to Irish beef again, after this week's outbreak of bluetongue. Four herds in County Wexford have now tested positive for the disease as authorities look to limit its spread. China has suspended imports of Irish beef as a result - a decision the Minister for Agriculture has called "disappointing". Joining us now on all of this are Stephen Walsh, Clare County Chair of the IFA, and Joseph Woulfe, Chairman of Beef Plan Movement Clare. Photo (c) Agriland

John Connolly, Fianna Fáil TD for Galway West, Paul Lawless, Aontú TD for Mayo, Sorcha Clarke, Sinn Féin TD for Longford Westmeath and Paul Hosford, Deputy Political Editor with the Irish Examiner.

The cost of accommodation for international protection applicants surpassed €1 billion for the first time in 2024. The new figures come as the latest deportation flight with Polish and Lithuanian citizens left Dublin Airport yesterday afternoon.Pat discusses this more with Matt Carthy TD, Spokesperson on Justice, Home Affairs, and Migration Chairperson of the Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Sinn Féin, Cavan-Monaghan.

“Poor nutrition now leads to long-term health costs” That's the warning from Darina Allen, Chef, Author and founder of Ballymaloe Cookery School. She is set to appear before an Oireachtas committee today to discuss the Hot School Meal programme, and Darina spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

“Poor nutrition now leads to long-term health costs” That's the warning from Darina Allen, Chef, Author and founder of Ballymaloe Cookery School. She is set to appear before an Oireachtas committee today to discuss the Hot School Meal programme, and Darina spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

Paula Crotty, Founder CARED Ireland, a voluntary group supporting carers of those with an eating disorder, speaks about service provision ahead of meeting with Oireachtas Committee on Health.

The brother of Jennifer poole a Dublin woman murdered by her former partner will address an Oireachtas Committee examaning changes to the law on domestic abuse. Jason Poole spoke to Rachel.

A Government scheme providing hot meals to primary school children is being praised for tackling food poverty — but serious concerns are now being raised about how it's being run. An Oireachtas committee has heard that the programme may not be sustainable, with principals warning of heavy administrative burdens, food quality issues and rising waste. Clare FM's Sean Lyons has been speaking about this with Meelick Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe, Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth. We also heard from Colm Davoren, Assistant Principal of CBS Primary School in Ennis and Gareth Heagney, Principal of Sixmilebridge National School who spoke with Alan Morrissey on Thursday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) rimmabondarenko via Canva

The Oireachtas Committee on Media held a hearing this afternoon on the regulation of online platforms and online safety. There was a particular focus on the recent controversy surrounding the Grok AI feature on X.Joining Ciara to discuss this is Alan Kelly, Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport and Labour TD for Tipperary North and Aidan O'Brien, Researcher at DCU School of Communications, who attended the Oireachtas meeting today.

Seán Fleming, Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Infrastructure and NDP Delivery, outlines concerns over ESB Network's ability to meet targets on new housing connections.

Joining Pat for this week's Friday Forum was Erin McGreehan TD, Fianna Fáil, Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Further & Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. Spokesperson on Research and Innovation. Also Cian O'Callaghan TD, Social Democrats, Deputy party leader, Spokesperson for Finance; Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation and Kevin Doyle, Executive Editor of the Irish Independent and Group Head of News at Mediahuis.

The long-awaited review of Fianna Fáil's presidential election campaign was submitted to the party leader Micheál Martin last night. Under the review's terms of reference Mr Martin will share its findings with the members of the parliamentary party after he has considered the report. With more on this Sean was joined by Malcom Byrne, Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Artificial Intelligence and Fianna Fail TD for Wicklow-Wexford.

The legality of the working hours done by the Shannon unit of the Coast Guard has been questioned in an Oireachtas Committee. Since, Bristow Ireland took over the contract from CHC, workers completing a 24-hour shift have been required to sleep on-site during breaks, rather than going home. Now, however, unless crews are tasked during expected rest time, their shifts will only be logged as 16.5 hours long, with Coast Guard personnel only allowed to work a maximum of 2,000 hours per year. Speaking in the Oireachtas Transport Committee, Clare Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe says the practice is artificially lowering employee work time.

Ireland's teacher recruitment and retention crisis is not a temporary fluctuation but a system challenge that threatens the quality of education and equity for young people. This was the message conveyed to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education by ASTI General Secretary Kieran Christie on Wednesday. Mr Christie referenced recent ASTI and RedC research which found that the teacher supply crisis is impacting on every part of the school system, including 75% of schools advertising posts for which no applicant applied, and many second-level schools relying on non-qualified, out-of-field, or casual teachers. The ASTI is calling for a number of measures to address the current teacher supply crisis. To talk about this was Cathal Crowe, Chair of Oireachtas Committee on Education and Meelick Fianna Fail TD and Geraldine O'Brien, Former ASTI President and teacher at St Joseph's Kilkee Community College on Thursday's Morning Focus with Alan Morrissey. Photo (c) Aflo Images via Canva

Minister for Defence Helen McEntee today unveiled a €1.7 billion defence spending plan that will run until 2030.The Minister described this plan as "absolutely essential". Its aim is to speed up the modernisation of the Defence Forces and improve defence capabilities across land, air, and sea, as well as online from cyber attacks.Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss this is Paul Murphy, People Before Profit TD for Dublin South-West, Catherine Callaghan, Fine Gael TD for Carlow-Kilkenny and member of the Oireachtas Committee on Defence and National Security and Conor Gallagher, Crime and Security Correspondent for The Irish Times.

Tadgh McNally, Examiner

Alison Comyn, Fianna Fáil Senator, Paul Lawless, Aontú TD for Mayo, Joanna Byrne, Sinn Féin TD for Louth and Harry McGee, Political Correspondent.

The Oireachtas Committee on Remote Working will be meeting tomorrow to discuss the future of the Right to Request Remote Working Legislation. This follows the public consultation held by the Government to get views on how the legislation is working.To discuss all this, Jonathan Healy is joined by Co-Founder of Grow Remote, Tracy Keogh and Sinn Féin TD and Spokesperson for Enterprise, Tourism & Employment, Rose Conway Walsh.

Fianna Fáil has published the combined findings of its Parenting in the Digital Age survey and its Youth Online Safety Workshop in conjunction with Foróige and Crosscare, revealing deep concern among parents about children's exposure to online risks, alongside new evidence showing just how young children are when they first enter the digital world. The survey of almost 1,000 participants, carried out by Fianna Fáil's parliamentary party working group, shows that families are struggling to keep pace with fast-changing digital technologies and the online environments their children inhabit. To discuss this in more detail, Alan Morrissey had a chat with Cathal Crowe, Meelick Fianna Fail TD and Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth on Tuesday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) Digital Leaders

The National Transport Authority is set to begin a phased rollout of contactless payments across TFI Local Link Services today, which is forecast to be complete by the end of 2026.However, Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien told an Oireachtas Committee on Transport in June that contactless payments on Dublin transport may not be fully available until 2029…Why is this taking so long?Joining Andrea to discuss is Joshua Ellul, Member of the Labour Party and Dublin Commuter Coalition, as well as listeners.

  Lack of information, recognition and pay equality are among the issues facing apprenticeships today, according to the Teachers Union of Ireland. They will discuss these problems at a meeting of the Oireachtas Committee on Higher Education. For more on this Jonathan spoke to TUI General Secretary, Michael Gillespie, and began by asking him why we are struggling to fill apprenticeships?

Lack of information, recognition and pay equality are among the issues facing apprenticeships today, according to the Teachers Union of Ireland, who will be discussing these problems at a meeting of the Oireachtas Committee on Higher Education. Ciara and Jonathan asked this morning do we need to do more to boost apprenticeships?

Tusla was before the Oireachtas Committee earlier today, as issues facing the system were highlighted and addressed.To chat about what was discussed today, Ciara Doherty is joined by Chief Executive of Tusla, Kate Duggan.

An Oireachtas Committee has heard that junior infant and sixth class students alike are receiving the same lunch portions in school, sparking health concerns. There are also concerns over the nutritional value of the hot meals available in schools. Shane discusses this with Sarah Keogh, Dietician and founder of Eatwell.

Lorna Cahill is with the Irish Host Community. This week she addressed the Oireachtas Committee on Tourism which met to discuss the short-term lettings bill.

Dublin's planned new metro system will need about 8,000 workers to construct, according to Metrolink's Project Director Sean Sweeney. He told the Oireachtas Committee on Transport that the Irish construction industry cannot support the construction of this project. Shane discussed this further with Paul Davis, Lecturer in Public Procurement at DCU.

TD Malcolm Byrne, member of the Oireachtas Media Committee, on the appearance of broadcaster Ivan Yates before the committee to discuss transparency in the sector.

Our panel of Seamus McGrath, Fianna Fáil TD for Cork South-Central, Richard O'Donoghue, Independent Ireland TD for Limerick County, Patricia Stephenson, Social Democrats Senator and Tadgh McNally, Political Reporter, Irish Examiner discuss Ivan Yates' appearance before the Oireachtas Media Committee this evening.

Over 150 motorists avoided penalty points last year by making a charity donation. This is according to figures from the Courts Service. That is despite a 2014 High Court ruling saying this approach is inappropriate and circumvents legislation. Pat discusses this further with Michael Murphy TD, Chair, Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tipperary South, Fine Gael and also Susan Gray, Founder and Chairperson, Parc Road Safety Group.

Ireland's media watchdog Coimisiún na Meán as well as broadcaster Ivan Yates and a number of political PR specialists have been invited to an Oireachtas committee to discuss transparency issues in the sector.

Coast Guard pilots have said that conditions have worsened since the Rescue 116 tragedy. To discuss the issue with Pat was is Sinn Féin TD Conor D. McGuinness from Waterford, who is Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs.

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties is appearing before the Oireachtas Committee on Justice today, and it is calling for the age of criminal responsibility to be raised to 14. For more on this we heard from Sean Egan, Procedural Rights Fellow with Irish Council for Civil liberties and Practicing Criminal Barrister.

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties is appearing before the Oireachtas Committee on Justice today, calling for the age of criminal responsibility to be raised to 14, but what is the appropriate age for people to have full responsibility for their actions?Joining Seán Defoe to discuss is Child Welfare Consultant, Kieran McGrath.

Joining Pat on the Friday Forum was Malcolm Byrne TD, Fianna Fáil, Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Artificial Intelligence, Spokesperson on Climate, Environment and Energy, Wicklow-Wexford. Also on the panel was Peadar Toibin TD, Leader, Aontú, Meath West and Ellen Coyne, Political Correspondent, Irish Times.

After an attack on a young girl occurred in Citywest on Monday evening, protesters took to the streets to express their feelings. It comes after the Citywest hotel has been used as an IPAS center to house refugees.The protests soon turned into riots, and a Garda car was set alight, Gardaí were out in force to control the situation.We want to know your opinions on the riots. Were you there, were you impacted, and do these riots hold any merit?Andrea is joined by local residents, Conor Lally, Security and Crime Editor with the Irish Times and John Lahart, Fianna Fail TD for Dublin Southwest & Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade. Later, to discuss if more should have been done to stop it, she is joined by Newstalk's Chief Reporter Barry Whyte, James Morrisroe, GRA Deputy General Secretary and Cllr Linda de Courcy, Independent Ireland.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin gave an explanation today in the Dáil of the current position on the Occupied Territories Bill. To debate this Shay Brennan, Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin Rathdown and member of the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade and Patricia Stephenson, Social Democrats Senator and spokesperson on Foreign Affairs.

No matter the fishing and conditions, the 2025 season will go down in memory as the year of the worst ever fish kill in the history of the State, which is certainly saying something based on this country's approach to pollution, water quality and environmental protection. We've discussed fish kills on this show before, highlighting the fact that when guilty verdicts and fines are handed down, the consequences are risible anyway. But for this week's episode we wanted to focus on the questionable practice in the Blackwater investigation and why the current legislation is not fit for purpose. Conor Arnold of the Upper Bridgetown Salmon Fishery on the Blackwater has been to the forefront during this crisis, spending untold hours highlighting the issue and trying to get to the bottom of it as best as he can. Conor also spoke as an invited witness at last week's Oireachtas Committee hearing into the Blackwater fish kill and a day later he spoke to us about the hearing to tell us what arose from it. Keep up to date with all the latest Ireland on the Fly on https://www.IrelandontheFly.com and get regular updates on https://Instagram.com/IrelandontheFly