Results 201-220 of 798 for speaker:Cathal Berry

Afghanistan Crisis: Statements (29 Sep 2021)

Cathal Berry: I thank the Minister for coming to the Chamber to debate this important topic. His speech and that of the Minister of State, Deputy Brophy, were very detailed and comprehensive. The discussion this evening really emphasises the extent of the tragedy and catastrophe that have befallen the Afghan people, both those inside the border of Afghanistan and those who are scattered all over the...

Energy Prices: Motion [Private Members] (6 Oct 2021)

Cathal Berry: I thank People Before Profit-Solidarity for preparing this very important motion this morning. It is very timely and topical in light of the budget next week. I will focus my contribution on the concept of energy security at a macro, national level but also and, perhaps most importantly, at a micro, household, individual level. We can all appreciate that there is a very significant...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (6 Oct 2021)

Cathal Berry: Like many Deputies, I drove to Leinster House this morning. I drove from Portarlington through Monasterevin and Rathangan and on to Newbridge. It is great to see building sites back open again, machinery moving very early in the morning, people moving with purpose, laying blocks and building high-quality housing to a high environmental standard. I pushed on to Tougher Service Station in...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (6 Oct 2021)

Cathal Berry: The Land Development Agency has a number of land banks under its control, some of which are former military installations and barracks. Some 25 years ago, mostly in 1998, soldiers and their families were evicted at short notice and the land banks handed over to the State. The land is now in the custody of the Land Development Agency. If the agency develops these sites, which include Devoy...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (7 Oct 2021)

Cathal Berry: 2. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which the pandemic unemployment payment was paid to ineligible recipients; the way she plans to recoup this funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48673/21]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (7 Oct 2021)

Cathal Berry: I compliment the Minister, her predecessor, Senator Regina Doherty, and her very kind staff in the Department of Social Protection who administered the pandemic unemployment payment, PUP, programme. It has been a revolutionary programme and a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of people. It is one of the reasons we have almost beaten the pandemic and the virus. Last week, the Comptroller...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (7 Oct 2021)

Cathal Berry: I thank the Minister and agree entirely with the principle of her response. That is exactly what the Department of Social Protection should be for. It should be there to provide a safety net and safety blanket when required. I remember processing many claims to the Department and they were dealt with expeditiously and humanely. I appreciate that the Comptroller and Auditor General took...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (7 Oct 2021)

Cathal Berry: That is great. That is reassuring information. I think the appropriate balance was struck between proper checks and controls, on the one hand, and proper humanity, on the other. That is important. The figures the Minister called out at the start of her response were staggering. Some 500,000 people had their claims processed over a three-week period. Those are incredible numbers. The...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Fuel Poverty (7 Oct 2021)

Cathal Berry: 184. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the measures he plans to introduce in winter 2021-22 to address fuel poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48674/21]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments (7 Oct 2021)

Cathal Berry: 289. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which the processing of applications for the carer’s and disability allowance is in line with the most expeditious practice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49082/21]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments (7 Oct 2021)

Cathal Berry: 290. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which the processing of appeals for the carer’s and disability allowance is in line with the most expeditious practice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49083/21]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Eligibility (7 Oct 2021)

Cathal Berry: 291. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which satisfactory provision has been made for public sector employees reaching mandatory retirement age prior to reaching pensionable age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49084/21]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Reserve Defence Force: Discussion (5 Oct 2021)

Cathal Berry: I welcome our guests and thank them for their opening statement. It was a comprehensive, fairly grim but accurate assessment of where we are. Honestly is always a good place to start. I will raise three questions. The first is in light of the legislation that will probably be signed off by the President in the coming weeks to allow Reserve Defence Forces people deploy overseas. What...

Financial Resolutions 2021 - Budget Statement 2022 (12 Oct 2021)

Cathal Berry: This budget is an exercise in treading water. Most of the measures it contains involve frantically trying to keep up with the increase in the cost of living. Inflation is running at 3.7% and is likely to head towards 4% in the new year. One can talk about gross income or net income but the only income that really matters is discretionary income at the end of the week or month. That is...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Partnership and Cooperation Agreement Between the European Union and the Republic of Singapore: Motion (13 Oct 2021)

Cathal Berry: I do not have a question. I just want to welcome the Minister of State and support of the agreement between the EU and Singapore. I have a twin brother living in Singapore so I have a vested interest from that perspective. I have visited there a number of times; it is a lovely location and I approve of the programme and agreement.

Death of Sir Davis Amess MP: Expressions of Sympathy (19 Oct 2021)

Cathal Berry: On behalf of the Regional Group, I echo the sentiments and attitudes expressed already and convey my deepest sympathies to David Amess's family and friends. The lesson I draw from how Sir David lived his parliamentary life is that it is perfectly okay to disagree with somebody while still maintaining a very professional and courteous relationship. Those two states are perfectly compatible...

Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Singapore: Motion (19 Oct 2021)

Cathal Berry: I am delighted to be here today to speak on this motion. The motion is close to my heart for a number of reasons. First, my sister-in-law, Cindy Lee, is Singaporean-Chinese. I have close family out on the island and have been fortunate to have visited the island three times over the past number of years. I can see, understand and speak highly of it. I am also reassured by the fact there...

Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Singapore: Motion (19 Oct 2021)

Cathal Berry: I can assure the Deputy it was not meant in that way, in any shape or form. It is just that I have personal experience in that regard and that simply is the objective position I have adopted.

Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Singapore: Motion (19 Oct 2021)

Cathal Berry: I am in favour of the motion for a number of reasons. First, I have read it and have been through it forensically and can see, from the articles, there are human rights safeguards in there, which gives me a certain amount of reassurance. Second, I have sat through the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence hearing. I have listened very carefully to what the Minister of State,...