Results 2,201-2,220 of 4,414 for speaker:Sean Barrett
- Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis: Context Phase (18 Dec 2014)
Sean Barrett: Mr. Wright was called "Minister", is that not so?
- Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis: Context Phase (18 Dec 2014)
Sean Barrett: I thank Mr. Wright. He has said that the Department of Finance is unique in that assistant secretaries do not report directly to the Secretary General. Would that have meant the 58 people who were in charge of financial services had no way of relating to the other 542 members of staff?
- Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis: Context Phase (18 Dec 2014)
Sean Barrett: I thank Mr. Wright.
- Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis: Context Phase (18 Dec 2014)
Sean Barrett: Thank you, Chairman. When we gave up our monetary independence, it should have meant a recognition within the Department of Finance that there would be an enhanced role for fiscal policy. Did Mr. Wright come across any documentation preparing the Department for that context?
- Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis: Context Phase (18 Dec 2014)
Sean Barrett: This issue is particularly important in a context where the United Kingdom had decided not to join the eurozone. Did Mr. Wright come across any evidence of doubts in this regard?
- Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis: Context Phase (18 Dec 2014)
Sean Barrett: Adding to that, there was a massive flow of capital into Irish banks which then went into the property sector. Does the model envisage the Minister for Finance having to say, "Because there has been a massive monetary stimulus to the economy, I have to run a huge budget surplus and I will be cutting down on education, health and welfare." How do we manage this?
- Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis: Context Phase (18 Dec 2014)
Sean Barrett: We have had a tradition over a number of decades where the Secretary General of the Department of Finance moves on to become the Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland. Is that a good idea, given Mr. Wright's knowledge of it? How is the Governor of the Bank of Canada appointed?
- Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis: Context Phase (18 Dec 2014)
Sean Barrett: Would the ambition to be the governor restrain contrarian views being expressed within the Department of Finance?
- Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis: Context Phase (18 Dec 2014)
Sean Barrett: I thank Mr. Wright again.
- Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2014)
Sean Barrett: I agree with Senator Mooney on the proposed British Airways-Aer Lingus merger. The irony is that the British regulatory authorities have ruled against a merger between Ryanair and Aer Lingus. Was this done so that their own national airline can take over Aer Lingus? I hope the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, will protect Ireland's national interests. The current actions by the competition...
- Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2014)
Sean Barrett: I think it was Senator Norris who referred to how Members voted.
- Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)
Sean Barrett: I move amendment No. 1: In page 4, between lines 2 and 3, to insert the following:“Plebiscite on the dissolution of Irish Water 2. (1) Where the Government has 90 days from the enactment of this Act to cause the initiation in either House of the Oireachtas of proposed legislation to allow the alienation of the shares in Irish Water issued under section 5(4) of the Water Services Act...
- Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)
Sean Barrett: This amendment is on the plebiscite for the dissolution of Irish Water. This has been a matter of contention outside of the House. There is a substantial amount of agreement between me and the Minister on the avoidance of the privatisation of the utility. We all interpret that as the wish of the people. The amendment’s purpose is to allow for the alienation of the shares in Irish...
- Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)
Sean Barrett: I thank the Minister. While I have been absent from the House of late, down at the banking inquiry in the basement, I have looked up at the monitor. From that purgatory I have seen the heaven of the Seanad Chamber and I have wished I was here at the debate. Perhaps, when the Lord wants to punish one, he grants one's wishes. Therefore, I have come here for this great debate. I am pleased...
- Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)
Sean Barrett: I will be dealing with Ervia as well. The Title refers to alienating the shareholding Irish Water as well. I am keen to get that clarified between now and Report Stage. The Minister referred to Ervia as a protection against privatisation. The explanatory memorandum refers to "Irish Water as a State-owned company, established as a subsidiary of Bord Gáis Éireann (now Ervia)."...
- Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)
Sean Barrett: Hear, hear.
- Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)
Sean Barrett: I oppose section 3 as strongly as possible because I believe the fact that this House might endorse its contents represents a retrograde and regressive step in Irish public life. This is a poll tax of Thatcherite proportions. I never thought the Labour Party of Noel Browne or the Fine Gael Party of the just society would descend to such levels.
- Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)
Sean Barrett: I want to repeat what is involved in this. Section 3(2)(a) sets out a water charge of €160 for one adult and section 3(2)(b) sets out a water charge of €260 for two adults. This is all based on the very first cent of income. At least under the universal social charge, USC, one can earn €12,012 before tax is incurred, although Jack O'Connor wants to reform this and I...
- Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)
Sean Barrett: These are important points and I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing them to be heard.
- Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2014)
Sean Barrett: These taxes of €160 and €260 apply on the very first euro of income and amount to a poll tax. This measure has been transferred from Thatcherite England and has been embraced by parties I knew as the Labour Party of Noel Browne and the Fine Gael Party of the just society. Why are these parties addicted to this poll tax? When water was financed through income tax, it was a...