Results 15,521-15,540 of 17,092 for speaker:Peadar Tóibín

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Ombudsman Special Reports: Discussion with Ombudsman (6 Dec 2012)

Peadar Tóibín: People are shocked that if they flout the law, it will always be enforced, but that if the State flouts the law, there is no natural mechanism of enforcement.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Ombudsman Special Reports: Discussion with Ombudsman (6 Dec 2012)

Peadar Tóibín: It is a very interesting report and I commend the work the Ombudsman's office has done on it. It seems quite shocking that the State would be flouting the law. We as a committee have come across that experience already in our engagement with An Coimisnéir Teanga. If the State does not function on the basis of law, that is a threat to the democratic nature of the State. This committee...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Ombudsman Special Reports: Discussion with Ombudsman (6 Dec 2012)

Peadar Tóibín: I ask the Ombudsman to respond to those two questions.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (6 Dec 2012)

Peadar Tóibín: Like all members I have had representations from constituents. I know of one person who had to emigrate because the option was not available to him. We need a knowledge economy so we should be creating pathways for individuals to return to education or back to work. Many people fall between the two stools. The system is not designed for people; they are expected to fit into the system....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Ombudsman Special Reports: Discussion with Ombudsman (6 Dec 2012)

Peadar Tóibín: The committee is now sitting as the Joint Sub-Committee on the Ombudsman. I ask all present to ensure that all mobile phones are switched off as they interfere with the recording of proceedings. The sub-committee is to consider two items. First, the report by the Ombudsman entitled, Too Old to be Equal? - A Follow Up. This is an investigation by the Ombudsman into the refusal by the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (6 Dec 2012)

Peadar Tóibín: It is an important petition. I am not referring to the individual petition in this regard but in general. A large section of Irish society is having remarkable difficulty financially and they are having difficulty seeing a way out of these problems. Many of them believe that they are not achieving justice with regard to their circumstances and how they relate to the financial system here....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (6 Dec 2012)

Peadar Tóibín: I agree. Deputy Harrington made another point with regard to the Irish Financial Services Appeals Tribunal in private session. He suggested that we should get a briefing on the power and influence that can be brought to bear.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (6 Dec 2012)

Peadar Tóibín: Are the recommendations, as indicated, agreed?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (6 Dec 2012)

Peadar Tóibín: That is the new recommendation to the effect that we are seeking to keep the petition open. Agreed. An chéad ceann eile is petition P00043/12 from Mr. Thomas Kevin Walshe concerning the back-to-education allowance. Members have been circulated with a summary note. The petitioner is entitled to €188 per week under the jobseeker's allowance but not entitled to the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (6 Dec 2012)

Peadar Tóibín: The joint committee has received a total of 49 petitions to date since the launch of the petitions system. This shows the level of interest within general society in the issue of oversight of what is happening in society in general and, more specifically, the delivery of public services. We are trying our best to get through them with fewer resources than we would like. We are going...

Leaders' Questions (6 Dec 2012)

Peadar Tóibín: He cannot answer it.

Leaders' Questions (6 Dec 2012)

Peadar Tóibín: Does the Minister know the difference between the parliaments on both sides of the Border?

Leaders' Questions (6 Dec 2012)

Peadar Tóibín: You could have raised tax on higher incomes.

Leaders' Questions (6 Dec 2012)

Peadar Tóibín: Emigration is going up too.

Leaders' Questions (5 Dec 2012)

Peadar Tóibín: It is a facts-free Taoiseach.

Leaders' Questions (5 Dec 2012)

Peadar Tóibín: Earth to Taoiseach.

Leaders' Questions (5 Dec 2012)

Peadar Tóibín: Reality is important.

Leaders' Questions (5 Dec 2012)

Peadar Tóibín: The Government reduced the local government grant.

Leaders' Questions (5 Dec 2012)

Peadar Tóibín: Would the Taoiseach not even try a wealth tax?

Leaders' Questions (5 Dec 2012)

Peadar Tóibín: There are 70,000 emigrants a year.