Results 2,461-2,480 of 4,363 for speaker:Arthur Morgan

Order of Business (2 Dec 2008)

Arthur Morgan: Will that consultation extend to include Members of this House as well?

Written Answers — Coast Guard Services: Coast Guard Services (2 Dec 2008)

Arthur Morgan: Question 260: To ask the Minister for Transport the cost incurred for pay at each coast guard station here in each of the past three years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43899/08]

Public Relations Contracts. (3 Dec 2008)

Arthur Morgan: How is it decided whether PR work to be undertaken is to be given to the various press offices within each Department, the Government's own press department or to go to outside contract? Has the committee in question examined the criteria used to make that call in the first instance? If not, will there be an examination of the criteria? Is it the practice of the committee to vet proposals...

Public Relations Contracts. (3 Dec 2008)

Arthur Morgan: Does the committee vet a Minister's decision? I am not clear on that element of the matter. If a Minister wishes to bring in outside contractors for PR purposes, must he or she get the approval of the committee? If that is the case, what criteria are involved in the committee's decision?

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report Stage (3 Dec 2008)

Arthur Morgan: I have tabled a number of amendments on this issue, including amendment No. 37 with Deputies Enright and Shortall and amendments Nos. 38 to 45, inclusive, in my own name. One of the most dishonest aspects of this Bill has been the Minister's introduction on Committee Stage of an amendment to abolish the Combat Poverty Agency. It is ironic that at a time when examining and monitoring poverty...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report Stage (3 Dec 2008)

Arthur Morgan: Let us assume for one moment that the Minister is sincere in declaring that this decision is not about silencing the voice of the Combat Poverty Agency. In that event, why will she not accept amendments Nos. 39 to 45, inclusive? Amendment No. 39 states: In page 24, between lines 16 and 17, to insert the following: "31.—The new division established by the integration of the Agency with the...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report Stage (3 Dec 2008)

Arthur Morgan: Will that be independent?

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report Stage (3 Dec 2008)

Arthur Morgan: In which case, will the Minister accept the amendments?

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report Stage (3 Dec 2008)

Arthur Morgan: Will the Minister consider tabling amendments on Report Stage?

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report Stage (3 Dec 2008)

Arthur Morgan: Then the Minister will have no problem accepting the amendments.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report Stage (3 Dec 2008)

Arthur Morgan: That does not make sense. Of course we can question it.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report Stage (3 Dec 2008)

Arthur Morgan: I ask for the Chair's guidance. I assume that, as the amendments are grouped, there will not be an opportunity to sum up on them. When will there be an opportunity to respond?

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report Stage (3 Dec 2008)

Arthur Morgan: I appreciate that.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report Stage (3 Dec 2008)

Arthur Morgan: I, too, support the amendment. As we are trying to get through as many amendments as possible, I rise simply to support the comments already made by both Deputies.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report Stage (3 Dec 2008)

Arthur Morgan: I move amendment No. 4: In page 6, between lines 12 and 13, to insert the following: "3.—The Minister shall, within the next 12 months, complete a review to determine and set new longer term benchmarks against which the evolution of social welfare rates can be measured.". The matter raised by the Deputy is perhaps a matter for the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. I will ask our Whip...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report Stage (3 Dec 2008)

Arthur Morgan: I appreciate fully that the Chair cannot overrule the provision covering this and that she must deal with provisions as laid down. I agree with Deputy Shortall that this procedure is a significant problem. It is a bit of a nonsense at this stage. In addressing amendment No. 4, I must observe that the increases in the welfare payments proposed in the Bill will be of little comfort to the...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

Arthur Morgan: In order to give proper protection to families on welfare and to ensure that they do not fall into the poverty trap, it is time to set a new, longer-term benchmark against which the evolution of social welfare payment rates can be measured. An analysis should be undertaken to establish if a third of the average industrial wage is still sufficient to meet living expenses. Many poverty groups...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

Arthur Morgan: I wish to acknowledge the comments made by Deputies Enright and Shortall. In the first instance, I must state that it is a question of choices. There is no doubt that the welfare to work process is riddled with bottlenecks and these need to be removed. Vision and imagination are required in this regard but, to date, the Government has not demonstrated these qualities in abundance. The...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

Arthur Morgan: I support the amendment and commend Deputy Shortall for tabling it. Everybody in the House recognises that there has been a significant increase in the number of people seeking representation and assistance with their appeals. Given the economic change we are experiencing, I expect those numbers will grow. The difficulty of delays in the appeals process causes huge trauma and concern to...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)

Arthur Morgan: The Minister has indicated she does not intend to accept the amendment. If that remains her position, will she consider going to the Minister for Finance and asking him whether, as part of the scheme we have for relevant banks in this State, he would require them not to foreclose on householders who are making a genuine effort to pay? Further, would he ask them to negotiate with mortgage...