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Wellbeing Framework 2023

Wellbeing Framework 2023

Framework highlights problems as well as success, Green Party’s Ó Cathasaigh warns Green Party TD Marc Ó Cathasaigh has cautiously welcomed today’s publication of Ireland’s Wellbeing Framework for 2023 but warned the framework raises questions around the dangers of short-term economic gain at the expense of our environment and our health. The Government began work…

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Review of Ash Dieback Scheme Supports

Review of Ash Dieback Scheme Supports

Green Party TD for Waterford, Marc Ó Cathasaigh has welcomed the announcement by his colleague Min. Pippa Hackett of the establishment of an independent review of her Department’s ash dieback support scheme.  The group will review the existing and previous supports available to landowners with ash plantations funded under the National Forestry Programme which are…

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Parliamentary Question on the Irish language in the public service

Parliamentary Question on the Irish language in the public service

To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department is forward planning to help fulfil the provisions set out in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú) 2021, and in particular the objective that 20% of recruitment into the public service by 2030 will be proficient in the Irish language;…

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Dept of Housing, Local Government and Heritage at the Public Accounts Committee

Dept of Housing, Local Government and Heritage at the Public Accounts Committee

Transcript: Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh: I turn to something which was detailed in their opening statement. I want to change tack slightly and look at that heritage element of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and the National Parks and Wildlife Service in particular. The figure outlined of the 70% drop in funding…

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Census 2023 – Irish Language Figures

Census 2023 – Irish Language Figures

Green Party representatives Marc Ó Cathasaigh and Róisín Garvey have labelled Census 2022 figures around the use of the Irish language as ‘an opportunity to be grasped in the European Year of Skills.’ According to Census 2022, 10% of the 1,874,000 people who can speak Irish reported being able to do so ‘very well’, with…

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Hedgerow Removal: Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations

Hedgerow Removal: Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations

Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when his Department’s review of the EIA agriculture regulations will commence; if he will require screening of all hedgerow removal, land drainage and conversion of land to agricultural use, regardless of the scale of such operations, while such a review is ongoing; and if he…

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Dáil Statement on Biodiversity Action

Dáil Statement on Biodiversity Action

The Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss reported at the beginning of last month, having been convened in May 2022 in line with a programme for Government commitment. Over the course of seven months and under the direction of their chair, Dr. Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin, the 99 citizens heard, weighed and considered the advice of experts,…

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EU Nature Restoration Law

EU Nature Restoration Law

I spoke on Drivetime in relation to the EU Nature Restoration Law. Part 1 can be listened to above and Part 2 of the discussion below. Press Release, 24th May 2023 Disheartening to see FG MEPs vote against Nature Restoration Law – Ó Cathasaigh The European People’s Party and Fine Gael must justify to the…

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Dáil Contribution on the Research and Innovation

Dáil Contribution on the Research and Innovation

Marc Ó Cathasaigh: The Minister will be aware of the pre-legislative scrutiny of the research and innovation Bill, which is before the Joint Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science at the moment. This Bill has been broadly welcomed across the sector. We in this country know the importance of research…

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