Results 101-120 of 178 for in 'Dáil debates' speaker:Tom Barry

Personal Insolvency Bill: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Jul 2012)

Tom Barry: I welcome the Bill. The issues of debt and bankruptcy have been examined for many years. The current bankruptcy period of 12 years is a lifetime and much too long. Unfortunately, it has taken the current hard times to have the matter addressed. The proposed bankruptcy period of three years makes much more sense than the current position. I welcome the proposal to have debt relief...

Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages (18 Jul 2012)

Tom Barry: I welcome this Bill, which clarifies a situation that needs to be rectified. The introduction of the new gun licence was welcome at the time. Perhaps the licence should include a photograph, a signature and biometric data. I also welcome the security measures and the policing and advice from the Garda Síochána with regard to firearms in houses. Given the level of crime, it is important...

Illness Benefit (17 Jul 2012)

Tom Barry: Question 20: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide the annual cost of illness benefit in the public sector and in the private sector, respectively. [34336/12]

Credit Guarantee Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 May 2012)

Tom Barry: Even though I am tempted to do so, I will not become involved in a slagging match. The Bill is part of a suite of measures - this also comprises the Protection of Employees (Temporary Agency Work) Bill 2011, which was recently passed by both Houses, the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2011 and the Competition (Amendment) Bill 2011 - designed to bring about legislative change. The Bill...

Credit Guarantee Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 May 2012)

Tom Barry: I wish to share time with Deputies Jim Daly.

Credit Guarantee Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 May 2012)

Tom Barry: I welcome the Bill, which represents another step in the right direction. As a politician, as an employer and as someone who created his own business 20 years ago, I really do not need to be told what is required in order to create or run a business. Many people tend to expel a great deal of hot air about business. One must be right in the thick of it, however, in order to understand the...

Protection of Employees (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (2 May 2012)

Tom Barry: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Bill. As an employer of 18 years I consider this to be an important topic. At a time of high unemployment, security of employment is all the more important. An economic crisis should not deter us from striving to ensure that employees are treated fairly and equitably. It is in how we handle issues such as employee rights at these times that we...

Road Safety Authority (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (2 May 2012)

Tom Barry: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Bill and I congratulate the Minister on bringing it forward. It is common sense, practical and, essentially, gives a consistent and logical approach in this area. Some days ago I brought my car for the NCT test. I remember the fuss about the NCT when it was first introduced but it is a very good system which people accept. It is working well and...

Private Members' Business. Motorist Emergency Relief Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Apr 2012)

Tom Barry: I will be voting against this Bill because it provides a populist approach to a serious issue. It is poorly written and displays a staggering lack of understanding of the oil industry in providing for the Minister for Finance to review excise duty on mineral oil on a quarterly basis, taking account of the price of oil. The price of oil fell by 28 cent per barrel today to $117 per barrel. A...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Apr 2012)

Tom Barry: I welcome the chance to speak on the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012. The major issues to be dealt with are the one-parent family payment and the phased reduction of the age limit of the youngest child from 14 to seven for the purposes of the entitlement. The Bill also extends the list of bodies authorised to use the personal public service numbers. The rest of the Bill provides for...

Private Members' Business. Medical Treatment (Termination of Pregnancy in Case of Risk to Life of Pregnant Woman) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Apr 2012)

Tom Barry: I welcome the opportunity to speak to the Bill, against which I will be voting. I believe in preserving and protecting human life. This is an emotive and difficult issue and as such, it is easy to find merit in almost every single one of the many hundreds of representations that most Members and I have received in recent weeks. What I cannot get away from is the fact that I know of two...

Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2012)

Tom Barry: I welcome the opportunity to speak in the debate. First, we must keep it simple. The treaty, in effect, is about reality and common sense. It is critical that everyone should sell the treaty by expounding on its virtues. The treaty is about sensible financial governance, removing doubt and putting certainty at the heart of all we do. I am surprised when I hear so many speakers today...

School Accommodation (23 Feb 2012)

Tom Barry: Question 11: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if it is his policy to concentrate second-level funding in vocational education committee schools rather than voluntary schools; and in relation to the additional funding that is being provided, the population growth projections on which the funding allocations are based. [10017/12]

Inter-Country Adoption: Statements (Resumed) (21 Feb 2012)

Tom Barry: Each year, hundreds of children from other jurisdictions are welcomed into Irish families and this tradition of inter-country adoption is in evidence throughout Ireland. It is a wonderful thing to do to offer a new life to a child who cannot be placed with a family in the country of his or her birth. However, I agree with the Minister that the rights of the children must always be at the...

Promissory Notes: Motion (Resumed) (25 Jan 2012)

Tom Barry: I value speaking in the debate, although the timing is poor. I have no doubt that it is a simple request but the scenario is complex. The timing is poor because today this country re-entered the bond markets - quite successfully at 5.15%. Nobody would have predicted that up to now. That is not bad but I do not hear any praise for it. One must recognise that the Government is steady in its...

Private Members' Business. School Guidance Counsellors: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Tom Barry: This is a very serious topic and I am glad to have the opportunity to speak on it. I am also glad so many guidance counsellors made the effort to come to the House today. I have spoken to a number of these teachers who are fine principled people, very skilled and focused in what they do. They are the type of people I would be proud to have teaching my sons or daughters. Let us focus on...

Private Members' Business. School Guidance Counsellors: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Tom Barry: It could be done in a manner that might cost €20 million. Eighty per cent of the school transport system is provided by private operators, in any case.

Private Members' Business. School Guidance Counsellors: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Tom Barry: There is a suggestion that parents' funds are being used to subsidise the private business of Bus Éireann. This must be looked at. If we have to make savings let us come up with solutions. There is no point in shouting across the floor, saying, "It's wrong!" Of course it is wrong. We are trying to correct the situation we are in, which is a financial mess. There is no point in getting...

Private Members' Business. School Guidance Counsellors: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Tom Barry: The second is to accept that our school transport system must be looked at again. Ultimately, it is there to provide a service for parents. It is costing a great deal of money but in my view is not providing the service. As long as we operate under the conditions of the Croke Park agreement, which is working for many people and is keeping peace on our streets in the matter of...

Private Members' Business. School Guidance Counsellors: Motion (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Tom Barry: Did I say anything against the Government?