Results 3,801-3,820 of 4,414 for speaker:Sean Barrett

Seanad: Shannon Airport: Motion (12 Dec 2012)

Sean Barrett: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Alex White. It is appropriate that the Minister of State at the Department of Health is in attendance because this airport is in an acute condition heading towards a terminal condition, and it has engaged in serious self-harm in the recent past. The reports on Shannon when it was under regulation by the Commission for Aviation Regulation showed that it...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Dec 2012)

Sean Barrett: The Cathaoirleach will note that Rory McIlroy has waived his fee for the Irish Open in Carton House next summer.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Dec 2012)

Sean Barrett: Yesterday, Rory McIlroy waived his fee for appearing in the Irish Open next summer. His participation was already a significant boost and his generous gesture is full of the enthusiasm of youth. He deserves our thanks for a major boost to tourism next season.

Seanad: Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (11 Dec 2012)

Sean Barrett: I echo everything that has been said by my colleagues. Mr. Joseph Spooner of the Law Reform Commission estimates that between 1995 and 2009 the ratio of household debt to income increased from 48% to 176%. This is significant and necessary social legislation, which will make a contribution towards putting together the pieces and improving the country following a series of financial...

Seanad: Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (11 Dec 2012)

Sean Barrett: I support Senator Cullinane's comments. During the statements on the 90th anniversary of Seanad Éireann earlier, the conduct of this Bill was mentioned as a beacon of how the House can operate. I agree with Senator Cullinane's comments about the Minister's willingness to take on board points made in the House, which is appreciated.

Seanad: Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (11 Dec 2012)

Sean Barrett: I support Senator Cullinane's comments. During the statements on the 90th anniversary of Seanad Éireann earlier, the conduct of this Bill was mentioned as a beacon of how the House can operate. I agree with Senator Cullinane's comments about the Minister's willingness to take on board points made in the House, which is appreciated.

Seanad: Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (11 Dec 2012)

Sean Barrett: I echo everything that has been said by my colleagues. Mr. Joseph Spooner of the Law Reform Commission estimates that between 1995 and 2009 the ratio of household debt to income increased from 48% to 176%. This is significant and necessary social legislation, which will make a contribution towards putting together the pieces and improving the country following a series of financial...

Seanad: 90th Anniversary of Seanad Éireann: Statements (11 Dec 2012)

Sean Barrett: I thank the Cathaoirleach and the Leader for their inspiring speeches on the topic. When Lord Midleton, Dr. John Henry Bernard, then provost of Trinity College, and Mr. Andrew Jameson met Arthur Griffith in London on 16 November 1921 and communicated with the then President of the Dáil, Eamon de Valera, they set in train a remarkable body, and it is fitting that we celebrate its 90th...

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (6 Dec 2012)

Sean Barrett: Needless to say, I echo everything that has been said by Senator Bacik, by the Leader of the House and by Senator Mooney. We are paying tribute to a remarkable man today. The task endures, the work goes on. Earlier this morning, we sent our condolences to Stewart Dickson, MLA, of the Alliance Party, whose office in Carrickfergus was burnt last night. A representative of the Orange Order...

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (6 Dec 2012)

Sean Barrett: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2012)

Sean Barrett: Overnight, the Carrickfergus office of Stewart Dickson, MLA, was set on fire by some of his political opponents. That is a very sad event. We all recognise the noble role the Alliance Party has paid in the peace process. Will the Leader express our regrets and sympathy to Mr. Dickson and his party on the setting on fire of the office in Carrickfergus?

Seanad: Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (5 Dec 2012)

Sean Barrett: As I was also happy with the Minister's response last night, I will not reopen the issue.

Seanad: Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (5 Dec 2012)

Sean Barrett: The issue is still being considered by the Minister.

Seanad: Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (5 Dec 2012)

Sean Barrett: Yes, the broad thrust of the argument was the prospect that five would become three, something we had in common, and the Minister agreed that he would come back to us on it. He wanted to complete the process in three years, with which Senator Crown and I would be very happy. On that basis I am happy to agree that five should become three. I look forward to hearing from the Minister on...

Seanad: Budget 2013: Statements (5 Dec 2012)

Sean Barrett: I welcome the Minister of State. As stated by him in the final sentence of his contribution, the task of restoring the public finances is not an easy one. I would like to make some points in response to the speeches of the Ministers for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform. We have not yet received the full details on the ten point tax reform plan for enterprise. As such it might be...

Seanad: Budget 2013: Statements (5 Dec 2012)

Sean Barrett: There is a 9.2% increase for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The budget provides for a 1% increase on interests on deposits and savings, which is unearned income. Much of that income was hard earned. Perhaps the Minister would consider looking at this again in the context of the exemption scheme in relation to post office savings. There may be some people on low income who...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Colleges of Education (4 Dec 2012)

Sean Barrett: I welcome the Minister of State and thank Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill for sharing time with me. I wish to relate some extra information. Last night I attended a meeting of senior academics and fellows in Trinity College Dublin at which there was great dismay that TCD could lose its connection with teacher training. Surely the highest ranking university could have no more important task than...

Seanad: Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Dec 2012)

Sean Barrett: I thank the Minister and will relay his comments to Senator Crown on his return from the United States, where he is possibly imbibing some of that entrepreneurial spirit to which Senator Mooney referred.

Seanad: Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Dec 2012)

Sean Barrett: I recall this was discussed with amendment No. 4 last Friday. The Minister was to consider banning people from trades and professions. He referred to an example of a barrister who remains a rather good barrister but he happened to make the wrong investments. We were awaiting a change on Report Stage and on that understanding I will withdraw the amendment. I understand this is something...

Seanad: Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Dec 2012)

Sean Barrett: I move amendment No. 135: In page 120, to delete lines 34 to 38 and substitute the following: ?terminate with immediate effect after the bankrupt has been discharged from bankruptcy.?.This is a legal point but I am not a person of legal training. However, I offer the amendment in case it is of value to the Minister. I refer it to him for his consideration.