Results 121-140 of 140 for speaker:Tom Barry in 'Dáil debates'

Mortgage Arrears: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (19 Sep 2013)

Tom Barry: It is said that when one is explaining oneself, one is losing.

Mortgage Arrears: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (19 Sep 2013)

Tom Barry: I might but I certainly know that when one is wrong, one puts up one's hands and does not deny the facts. I thank Deputy Dooley for his positive engagement.

Mortgage Arrears: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (19 Sep 2013)

Tom Barry: Solving this problem will require positive engagement with all mortgage holders. Those in arrears who do not contribute or engage are leaving themselves open to the threat of repossession. That fact cannot be avoided and mortgage holders must recognise it. There is not a person in this country who does not have some iron in the fire with respect to financial debt, which was also a...

Mortgage Arrears: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (19 Sep 2013)

Tom Barry: This is the soft landing, Deputies. This is the soft landing that Fianna Fáil promised. This soft landing is damned hard. The Deputies might like to argue about funding for five or six months but this is the landing their party promised would be soft. If the Deputies do not understand it they should go back and look at a particular apartment block in Cabinteely in Dublin 22, where in...

Gas Regulation Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Sep 2013)

Tom Barry: I welcome the opportunity to speak to this Bill. It is the first time we have had to sit down and discuss the sale of State assets. For many people this brings trepidation, but that is only natural. Any person in business will say selling an asset for long-term strategic gain is something that always happens. Our gain will be creating jobs which we must keep doing. We are doing it now. ...

Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (25 Sep 2013)

Tom Barry: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill. While it may be referred to as a technical Bill, it is very important. As an entrepreneur who runs an SME, one might expect my attitude towards the public service to be tough but that is not the case. We need an effective and efficient public service because that is where much of our growth will be initiated. This Bill was initiated in the...

Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Sep 2013)

Tom Barry: I will continue my contribution to the debate on the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) (Amendment) Bill 2013. This is an opportunity to avail of the skills in the public service. I also feel we should incentivise the public service, as is the case with the private sector, because it is very important that people feel they are contributing and that their contribution...

Mortgage Restructuring Arrangement Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) [Private Members] (2 Oct 2013)

Tom Barry: I also welcome the opportunity to speak to the issue and I welcome the fact that it has been raised again. Achieving a realistic and workable debt resolution between debtors and creditors has been a priority for this Government and the banks have not responded sufficiently. Then again, it is easy to criticise and we can be very good at doing that at times. It took much time and skill to...

Local Government Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (23 Oct 2013)

Tom Barry: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill, which is not before time and puts a structure on local governance. Like many others in this House, I spent a period of time on a local council and it was quite enlightening. The amalgamation of the city and county councils of Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford should be extended possibly to my own county of Cork. There are so many connections...

Access to Credit: Motion [Private Members] (12 Nov 2013)

Tom Barry: I thank the Minister for his time and I recognise and value his interest in this crucial area. There is no doubt that the contraction of our banking sector will cause inconvenience but we must remember that the fall-out of 250,000 people losing their jobs in the private sector from 2008 to 2011 has reduced demand. As someone who has been involved in business I do not mind travelling a...

Government Decision on Exiting Programme of Financial Support: Motion (Resumed) (20 Nov 2013)

Tom Barry: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Government's decision to exit the EU-IMF programme of financial support in December without applying for a precautionary credit line. One has to look back to see where one is going. In three years of the programme the Administration has achieved a lot. One only has to cast one’s mind back to the fear of treading through the unknown territory...

Youth Employment: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (20 Nov 2013)

Tom Barry: I am glad there is concern on both sides of the House about youth unemployment. However, we cannot forget about or lessen the impact on those in other age groups who find themselves without a job. Unemployment does not discriminate on age grounds and it is equally difficult and challenging to any person who finds himself or herself in this dilemma. The challenge for us as policymakers is...

Youth Employment: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (20 Nov 2013)

Tom Barry: We need to get young people into employment. Using local enterprise offices to focus on the entrepreneurial spirit is the way forward. Our highly educated workforce will see jobs and the positive aspects of our policies will shine through.

Private Members' Business - Irish Water: Motion [Private Members] (15 Jan 2014)

Tom Barry: We will do our best to keep to time. I welcome this debate on Irish Water. There has been much scare-mongering on this topic and it is hoped that this debate will help to allay fears and establish the facts. The provision of water costs money which must be accounted for. I agree there needs to be a domestic allowance but people cannot expect to get unlimited quantities of water free of...

Charities (Amendment) Bill 2014 [Private Members]: Second Stage (21 Jan 2014)

Tom Barry: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Private Members’ Bill. The time allocated makes one feel like one is trying to deliver a Gettysburg address on this important topic. A charities regulator is needed and I welcome the Minister’s announcement in this regard. We need effective oversight, sanctions and transparency in this sector. If these three elements can be married...

ESB (Electronic Communications Networks) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (23 Jan 2014)

Tom Barry: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill. In essence, it will allow the ESB to install and operate electronic communication networks and services. This is quite an easily understood concept. If it is effective, it will lead, in part, to Ireland finally achieving a modern fit-for-purpose future-proofed broadband infrastructure, something to which we have only aspired in the past....

Health Services: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (29 Jan 2014)

Tom Barry: I welcome the opportunity to address the House on this motion. We all want delivery of an excellent health care system. The national figures are improving. This should not be taken for granted because they are improving at a time when there are huge constraints on our finances, our population is increasing and there is an embargo on recruitment. We are trying to do the impossible and it is...

Companies (Amendment) Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (4 Feb 2014)

Tom Barry: I welcome the opportunity to speak to this Bill, as it is good to see concern for small and medium enterprises, SMEs, and jobs. I am one of the 15,000 people who runs an SME in the country, as mentioned by Deputy Donnelly. After 20 years running the enterprise, I have come across most of the ups and downs at this stage. In the limited time available, I will discuss some of my reservations...

Early Childhood Care and Education: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (12 Feb 2014)

Tom Barry: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this topic. From an Opposition point of view, it must be hard to criticise when one considers the fabulous work the Minister has done in her new role in a dedicated Department for children. It is quite a revelation and a major change. My wife and I were lucky enough to use the services of child care while trying to keep many jobs going at the same...

Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (19 Feb 2014)

Tom Barry: I welcome the opportunity to speak about this important matter. We need to step back a little, allow the committee to do its work and let the facts speak for themselves. The media frenzy during the week has been disturbing. At this stage we are analysing our own speculation, which is bizarre. If there is an issue, let it be teased out by the relevant bodies. It is naive to suggest there...