Results 221-240 of 9,016 for speaker:Thomas Pringle
- European Summit: Motion (8 Dec 2011)
Thomas Pringle: On a point of order, Standing Order 53 states that an amendment to a motion cannot be a direct negative of that motion. I believe the Government's amendment is a direct negative of the motion tabled by Deputy Ross on behalf of the Technical Group. I ask that the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, in line with Standing Order 53, rule the Government's amendment out of order.
- European Summit: Motion (8 Dec 2011)
Thomas Pringle: The Chair must implement Standing Orders.
- European Summit: Motion (8 Dec 2011)
Thomas Pringle: Standing Order 53 clearly states that an amendment cannot be a direct negative of a motion.
- European Summit: Motion (8 Dec 2011)
Thomas Pringle: The amendment cannot be a direct negative of the motion. Standing Order 53 clearly states that the amendment must speak to the motion.
- European Summit: Motion (8 Dec 2011)
Thomas Pringle: Any reading of it would indicate it is.
- European Summit: Motion (8 Dec 2011)
Thomas Pringle: An amendment can only be moved in line with Standing Orders.
- Social Welfare Bill 2011: Second Stage (8 Dec 2011)
Thomas Pringle: The cuts to social protection announced on budget day place the Labour Party firmly to the right of politics. The attack on the lowest paid in society shows where the Government's priorities lie. No longer can it blame Fianna Fáil. It is now responsible through the decisions that it has made. The decision to row back on the cut to disability allowances is welcome, but it was a headline...
- Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (13 Dec 2011)
Thomas Pringle: Normally, one says that one welcomes the opportunity to contribute to a debate on a Bill. However, in this case, I am disappointed in the Bill and totally opposed to it. In April of this year, the Technical Group tabled a Private Members' motion calling for a referendum on the EU-IMF bailout deal, which was rejected by the Government. At that time, in responding to the motion, the...
- Departmental Properties (14 Dec 2011)
Thomas Pringle: Question 5: To ask the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine in view of the decision 2012 to allow the National Assets Management Agency to change upward only rent reviews if he will now to act to assist tenants in fishery harbour centres and implement NAMA type initiative. [40345/11]
- Departmental Properties (14 Dec 2011)
Thomas Pringle: I thank the Minister for his response on this important issue. While the upward-only clause has not been invoked, there are many cases in which rents are exorbitant anyway and in which there is a strong case for renegotiation. There are also cases where tenants have substantial arrears, but that should not be a barrier to the Department entering talks with them. They might be able to...
- Departmental Properties (14 Dec 2011)
Thomas Pringle: Some people might have mistakenly thought that if they withheld rent or said they could not afford to pay it, it might encourage the Department to enter into talks with them. However, I know from experience that it usually has the reverse outcome. It is important to keep as many businesses open as possible. As the Minister said, the leases were entered into voluntarily at the time but...
- Languages Programme (14 Dec 2011)
Thomas Pringle: I apologise for my late arrival in the Chamber. I had thought our matter was the second one on the Topical Issue agenda. As Deputy Griffin has outlined, the proposed abolition of the modern languages in primary schools initiative is a regressive cut. The children involved in the initiative, which is offered in 550 schools throughout the country, derive significant value from it. They are...
- Languages Programme (14 Dec 2011)
Thomas Pringle: I concur with everything Deputy Griffin has said. The younger children are when they start to learn languages, the easier it is for them. The manner in which the brain develops means it is easier for young people to absorb languages. The older we leave it, the more difficult it is. I recall that I found it difficult when I was in secondary school. All secondary school children take a...
- Bretton Woods Agreements (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2011: Second Stage (15 Dec 2011)
Thomas Pringle: We have a 20 minute slot each.
- Bretton Woods Agreements (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2011: Second Stage (15 Dec 2011)
Thomas Pringle: No. We are not sharing. We each have a slot.
- Bretton Woods Agreements (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2011: Second Stage (15 Dec 2011)
Thomas Pringle: Yes.
- Bretton Woods Agreements (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2011: Second Stage (15 Dec 2011)
Thomas Pringle: I will respond to some of the Deputies on the other side of the House who said we in opposition should be wearing the green jersey and backing the decisions the Government is making, particularly in terms of the budget and continued austerity it is imposing on the people. It is perfectly legitimate for us not to agree with what the Government is doing, put forward alternative proposals and...
- Written Answers — Medical Cards: Medical Cards (15 Dec 2011)
Thomas Pringle: Question 349: To ask the Minister for Health the amount of drugs in the past year that have been removed off the medical card payment scheme and the drugs payment scheme; if he will provide a list of the drugs and the manufacturers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40643/11]
- Order of Business (16 Dec 2011)
Thomas Pringle: Hear, hear.
- Order of Business (16 Dec 2011)
Thomas Pringle: The payment is not a bonus.