Results 2,281-2,300 of 26,843 for speaker:Richard Boyd Barrett

Order of Business (19 Apr 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: As jovial as those on the Government benches are, it is a serious issue that requires a debate if this House is to make any claim to represent the concerns of citizens.

Order of Business (19 Apr 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: The possible introduction of water charges is literally striking fear into the hearts of the elderly and vulnerable sectors of our society, with the prospect of up to €600 in property taxes at the beginning of the next year.

Order of Business (19 Apr 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: At the very least, the people of this country are entitled to see a full, detailed debate take place on these issues and to have the Government clearly set out its intent-----

Order of Business (19 Apr 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: -----to give them some type of reassurance. Do we want a situation where pensioners and vulnerable sectors of our society will be afraid to turn on the taps-----

Order of Business (19 Apr 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: -----or to run a bath for fear of running up a bill they cannot afford? Give some consideration to people who are fearful and struggling to make ends meet by arranging for a proper debate in the House on this issue in the next few days.

Order of Business (19 Apr 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I welcome the Tánaiste's expression of concern at the disturbing events surrounding the eviction from their home in Killiney of Mr. Brendan Kelly and his wife. Mr. Kelly has been in contact with me and I am sure he would he glad to hear from the Tánaiste and from any other local public representative about his plight. As Deputy McDonald said, this speaks to a much wider issue. Many...

Private Members' Business. Medical Treatment (Termination of Pregnancy in Case of Risk to Life of Pregnant Woman) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Apr 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I find it utterly incredible that anyone could have suggested - as have a number of Deputies - that this Bill is premature. It appears incredible that 20 years have passed since the X case. I first became active in politics about that issue around that time and my views on the issue were not then formed. I did not really know what I thought but when the X case emerged, my views became very...

Written Answers — Value for Money Reviews: Value for Money Reviews (19 Apr 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Question 33: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will explain his rationale for the proposed closure of small schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19492/12]

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (19 Apr 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Question 40: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has had any reports on the impact of the cuts to special needs assistants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19491/12]

Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012 - Committee Stage and Remaining Stages (20 Apr 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I remind the Deputy that just because someone is paranoid does not mean they are not out to get them.

Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012 - Committee Stage and Remaining Stages (20 Apr 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: The Deputy is missing the point I understand Deputy Catherine Murphy to be making. Whatever one might have thought about other treaties passed within the European Union - quite a number of Members have opposed many aspects of those treaties and campaigned against them - there is at least a countervailing democratic mechanism. There are avenues through which the citizens of this country,...

Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012 - Committee Stage and Remaining Stages (20 Apr 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Perhaps the Tánaiste might explain it to me.

Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012 - Committee Stage and Remaining Stages (20 Apr 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I have read it several times and moreover, I have it to hand. The cheap shots should be avoided, as the Tánaiste and I simply have different takes on it. There is no such mechanism and one should be clear that the paranoia, as the Government may perceive it, of Members on this side of the House has considerable evidence to back it up. I refer to the comments of Chancellor Merkel at the...

Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012 - Committee Stage and Remaining Stages (20 Apr 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I will respond to the Tánaiste's point about the democratic component, as he is being somewhat disingenuous in his reference to the role of the European Parliament. Paragraph 5 of Article 12 states: "The President of the European Parliament may be invited to be heard". The phrase is "may" rather than "will be". That is the extent of the involvement of the democratic part of the European...

Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012 - Committee Stage and Remaining Stages (20 Apr 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: It states: "The President of the Euro Summit shall present a report to the European Parliament".

Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012 - Committee Stage and Remaining Stages (20 Apr 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Yes, it is an account of what is being done. We can like it or lump it. National parliaments are talking shops in my interpretation of Article 13, which states: As foreseen in Title II of Protocol (No 1) on the role of national Parliaments in the European Union annexed to the European Union Treaties, the European Parliament and the national Parliaments of the Contracting Parties will...

EU-IMF Programme (24 Apr 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Question 130: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will report on his meeting with Ajai Chopra, the European deputy director of the IMF, the ECB's chief economist Klaus Masuch and Istvan Szekely of the European Commission on 17 April 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20293/12]

EU-IMF Programme (24 Apr 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: The Minister said he discussed the macroeconomic outlook with the troika. The discussions are continuing until Thursday. Is there any recognition on the part of the troika, given the deteriorating economic situation in Europe, the fact that this is the third quarter in a row with economic contraction across Europe and there has been a return of the debt crisis, that its austerity agenda is...

EU-IMF Programme (24 Apr 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I can only comment that as the austerity agenda is rolled out across the rest of Europe, it is becoming increasingly clear that the damage done to the peripheral countries is now spreading to the core and is completely depressing the European economy in all parts. It is disappointing if there is not some discussion about the implications. I specifically asked the Minister whether cuts...

EU-IMF Programme (24 Apr 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: The last round.