Results 1-20 of 1,687 for in 'Dáil debates' speaker:Billy Timmins

Order of Business (26 Jan 2016)

Billy Timmins: The Taoiseach will be aware that the Heritage Bill 2016 is in the Seanad this week. Could he give us an assurance that this small but important Bill, which deals with canals and wildlife, will be dealt with in this Chamber before the dissolution of the Dáil? If it could be taken next Tuesday, my understanding is that there would be agreement right across the House on its contents.

Topical Issue Debate: Tourism Promotion (16 Dec 2015)

Billy Timmins: I did not raise the issue because Wicklow is not included in this round of funding. I am pleased to see the Blackstairs project in Carlow got funding. That is fantastic. County Carlow is beautiful. It is unheralded and unknown by many as a tourism destination but it is very attractive, for example, the Barrow Valley in the St. Mullins area. The statement on tourism issued by the Ministers...

Topical Issue Debate: Tourism Promotion (16 Dec 2015)

Billy Timmins: I am very supportive of the Wild Atlantic Way concept, which is a wonderful idea. I have often spoken about the advantages Ireland has as the western frontier of Europe. I do not know if Fáilte Ireland stole my idea or if great minds think alike, but I am glad it is in operation. I am also glad it used my initiative of the road less travelled, based on a small booklet I brought out...

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage (10 Dec 2015)

Billy Timmins: -----but he will be familiar with it. A couple of weeks ago, I met a local community group in Arklow that is dealing with the issue of homelessness in that town. There are ten or 12 rough sleepers there. In the past year or two, this problem has developed in many places where it was not an issue previously. We need a dedicated unit that can co-ordinate and regulate the various...

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage (10 Dec 2015)

Billy Timmins: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Bill. Sometimes, legislation goes through the House and the general perception is that it is very welcome and positive. Such legislation goes through the House relatively unnoticed but can come back to cause many difficulties. Profound changes can be put through of which people are not aware. The way the Bill is being quietly put through just...

Paris Terrorist Attack: Statements (17 Nov 2015)

Billy Timmins: The Paris attacks were an outrage and should be condemned by this House without qualification. The scale, proximity and familiarity associated with the attacks make it all the more real and horrific. We can easily identify with the location and environs. The portraits of those murdered could be portraits of a family member or the person next door. For many they were a family member or the...

Finance Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2015)

Billy Timmins: It has become irrelevant because the Government has made it so and because many sectors of the Opposition, including the Technical Group, have been complicit in making it irrelevant. I want to make a speech on the budget. I have used up a couple of minutes and have about eight minutes left in my ten minute slot.

Finance Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2015)

Billy Timmins: I appreciate that the Acting Chairman is one of the fairer Members of the Oireachtas and he understands what has happened here, which has been happening over recent months. I thank him for affording me some time. With respect to the budget, just because a Minister says something is so does not mean it is actually so but I acknowledge that the economy has improved and is heading in the...

Finance Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2015)

Billy Timmins: I know it might not suit some of the Acting Chairman’s Labour colleagues but I know that he would be very amenable to it because he is a progressive, positive Deputy. We brought it forward because we believe welfare and low wage traps have existed here for many years. We can pontificate and articulate about, and throw money at, our welfare problem but successive governments,...

Finance Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2015)

Billy Timmins: I thank the Acting Chairman for his indulgence. I have a small pragmatic point to make, which does not involve rent supplement, pension funds or development properties. Why does the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government not tell the local authority directors of planning and housing to approach the people who had lodged planning applications and ran into difficulties...

Finance Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2015)

Billy Timmins: I am sorry but I am not satisfied with two minutes.

Finance Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2015)

Billy Timmins: This is probably the most important legislation to go through the House this year. I will not make reference to the commitments that were given in the past about democratic accountability and the democratic revolution. I was a party to them myself. I deeply regret that the Government has chosen to adopt this approach and at the eleventh hour day, to put out an amended order to guillotine...

Order of Business (21 Oct 2015)

Billy Timmins: I ask the Taoiseach to advise whether the details of the promised tenant purchase scheme have been published or agreed yet.

Financial Resolutions 2016 - Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (14 Oct 2015)

Billy Timmins: I am sharing time with Deputies Róisín Shortall, Thomas P. Broughan and Peter Mathews.

Financial Resolutions 2016 - Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (14 Oct 2015)

Billy Timmins: While the Minister for Health is in the Chamber, I wish to make a request of him. I have made it in the past and it would cost little or no money, namely, a requirement for medical professionals who must deliver bad news to do so in an appropriate manner and in an appropriate location. I interact repeatedly with people who have received bad news or whose family has received bad news in a...

Financial Resolution No. 4: Income Tax (13 Oct 2015)

Billy Timmins: I would like to see results.

Financial Resolution No. 4: Income Tax (13 Oct 2015)

Billy Timmins: On measures such as this, it is very important that the Minister should outline all the detail of the change and the reasons behind it. I join with Deputy Sean Fleming in asking the Minister who lobbied on this or who sought this change. Did other organisations seek a similar change? As a concept, I welcome any reliefs that are put in place to ensure the quality and standard of nursing...

Other Questions: Flood Relief Schemes Status (1 Oct 2015)

Billy Timmins: 5. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when approval will be granted for the flood relief scheme for Arklow in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32880/15]

Other Questions: Flood Relief Schemes Status (1 Oct 2015)

Billy Timmins: My question refers specifically to a flood relief scheme for Arklow in County Wicklow. This project has been in the ether for a couple of decades and lay on the shelf during the lifetime of the last Government. In fairness, however, the current Government has resurrected it. I am conscious that €400 million has been allocated for flood protection works in the capital programme...

Other Questions: Flood Relief Schemes Status (1 Oct 2015)

Billy Timmins: I thank the Minister for his reply. Can he give me any indication of a timeframe for when the project will go on public display? What is his guesstimate for when the job will go out to contract?