Results 2,121-2,140 of 4,414 for speaker:Sean Barrett

Seanad: Water Sector Reforms: Statements (25 Nov 2014)

Sean Barrett: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Water Sector Reforms: Statements (25 Nov 2014)

Sean Barrett: It was the HSE.

Seanad: Water Sector Reforms: Statements (25 Nov 2014)

Sean Barrett: I welcome the Minister of State. At all times in the House and at committee meetings, he has distinguished himself in the service of Waterford. The lost water rate in Waterford is 31%. It is 55%, or 50%, in Tipperary, 44% in Cork, 36% in Clare, 48% in Limerick city and 48% in Kerry. There are no economies of scale. The idea of one big organisation is not supported by the data. Senator...

Seanad: Water Sector Reforms: Statements (25 Nov 2014)

Sean Barrett: The McLoughlin report showed a 30% surplus of county managers, a 15% surplus of directors of services, a 10% surplus of corporate services staff and a 15% surplus of city managers. We took all of them and put them in Irish Water. The McLoughlin group reported in 2010, while the wastewater report was in 2008. A family of four on €100,000 earns six times the income of a person on...

Seanad: Water Sector Reforms: Statements (25 Nov 2014)

Sean Barrett: On a point of information, the remark to which Senator John Gilroy took exception and which he attributed to me was not made by me.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: National Transport Authority: Chairman Designate (25 Nov 2014)

Sean Barrett: I welcome Mr. Fitzgerald. I share the sentiments expressed by previous speakers about Mr. Gerry Murphy. I ask the Chairman to pass on to him the good wishes of members. On 3 January The Irish Timesreported that €225 million had been spent on shelved Dublin transport projects. As an economist, I have a concern that these projects have a life of their own. Mr. Fitzgerald referred to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: National Transport Authority: Chairman Designate (25 Nov 2014)

Sean Barrett: I thank Mr. Fitzgerald.

Seanad: Public Service Management (Transparency of Boards) Bill 2014: Leave to Withdraw (26 Nov 2014)

Sean Barrett: I second the motion.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (Amendment) Bill 2014: Motion to Discharge Order for Second Stage (26 Nov 2014)

Sean Barrett: I second the motion.

Seanad: Employment Permits (Amendment) Bill 2012: Motion to Discharge Committee Stage (26 Nov 2014)

Sean Barrett: I second the motion.

Seanad: Building Control (Carbon Monoxide Detection) Bill 2014: Motion to Discharge Committee Stage (26 Nov 2014)

Sean Barrett: I second the motion.

Seanad: Report of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges on the Proposal for a Banking Inquiry: Motion (26 Nov 2014)

Sean Barrett: I thank the Leader and Senators Bacik and Darragh O’Brien. The Leader has very thoroughly described the process by which this very comprehensive document came before the House, and I commend everybody and the secretariat. It is a challenge for the committee and we must go ahead and commence the work, to a very challenging timetable. I was very pleased that Professor Karl Whelan is...

Seanad: Tourism Industry: Statements (26 Nov 2014)

Sean Barrett: I welcome the Minister back to the House. He outlined the picture very well for us. In 2010 the number of overseas visitors had fallen by 16% in two years, but it is growing once again. The Minister has made several useful proposals to maintain this growth, including having lower VAT and PRSI rates, the visa waiver programme and improved air access. I understand 85% of the seats on the...

Seanad: Tourism Industry: Statements (26 Nov 2014)

Sean Barrett: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Nov 2014)

Sean Barrett: This morning the Christmas road safety drive will be launched by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, the Garda Commissioner, Ms Nóirín O'Sullivan, and the chairperson of the Road Safety Authority, Ms Liz O'Donnell. All three have been appointed to their posts relatively recently and I wish Ms O'Sullivan and Ms O'Donnell every success in their...

Seanad: Flood Management: Statements (27 Nov 2014)

Sean Barrett: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and thank him for his contribution. I endorse everything Senator Colm Burke has said. There was a period when the lines "where we sported and played in the green leafy glade on the banks of my own lovely Lee" referred to sub-aqua sport rather than to any other kind. I look forward to the Minister of State or his successor singing the song when...

Seanad: Situation in Middle East and Ukraine: Statements (27 Nov 2014)

Sean Barrett: I welcome the Minister and thank him for entering the Chamber during the recess. That was a very good debate, which reflected favourably on the House in the media, as did his presence here. It was a good day. On the issue of recognition, he says that most states have recognised Palestine. I gather that 135 states have done so, with the major exception being states of the European Union....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Mortgage Insurance Schemes: Discussion (27 Nov 2014)

Sean Barrett: I thank the visitors for coming along at our request and helping the committee in determining how we get round this dilemma to ensure that we do not have a housing bubble again, given the damage done the last time. Is there a danger that the products we have heard described this morning become sub-prime lending? That would be my first question.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Mortgage Insurance Schemes: Discussion (27 Nov 2014)

Sean Barrett: They mentioned-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Mortgage Insurance Schemes: Discussion (27 Nov 2014)

Sean Barrett: I am sorry, Chairman, of course.