Results 2,541-2,560 of 7,404 for speaker:Mick Wallace

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (4 Mar 2015)

Mick Wallace: As I listened to the Tánaiste yesterday evening, I noted with interest how all of this is being presented. It is clear that a great deal of work has been done in the area of spin in recent times. It was amazing to hear the Tánaiste say that the way out of "poverty is fairly-paid work". While that is true, the problem we have is that work is less well paid than it used to be....

Family Home Mortgage Settlement Arrangement Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) [Private Members] (4 Mar 2015)

Mick Wallace: The Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, does not need me to tell her that there are many people in Ireland in a very difficult place with regard to property. With every passing month of the past seven or eight years since the crisis started the situation has become starker. I know more about banks and receivers than I want to know. Given my involvement in the building industry, I...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Provision (4 Mar 2015)

Mick Wallace: 28. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide the details of the proposed social housing programme, in terms of the number of newly built units that his Department expects to deliver in each of the years 2015, 2016 and 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9108/15]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing Issues (4 Mar 2015)

Mick Wallace: 43. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his views on introducing a comprehensive housing strategy that addresses the housing challenges that prevail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9107/15]

Other Questions: Jobseeker's Allowance (5 Mar 2015)

Mick Wallace: 7. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she is satisfied that it is appropriate that persons are compelled to take up Gateway positions which could leave them worse off financially; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9334/15]

Other Questions: Jobseeker's Allowance (5 Mar 2015)

Mick Wallace: Under the terms of the Gateway scheme, people who have been on the dole for two years or more are paid an extra €20 per week on top of their jobseeker's allowance for 19.5 hours work with local authorities. However, according to information provided by the Department of Social Protection in 2014, those participating in the scheme who are married or cohabiting with children are liable...

Other Questions: Jobseeker's Allowance (5 Mar 2015)

Mick Wallace: I was contacted recently by a man called Colin Boardman, who is caught in a predicament. He has been working on the Gateway scheme since July 2014. Having worked for nine years prior to becoming unemployed and unable to find work despite his best efforts, he is currently one of eight people working 19.5 hours a week picking up pieces of paper on a beach for Fingal County Council. Before...

Other Questions: Jobseeker's Allowance (5 Mar 2015)

Mick Wallace: I will pass that on to the gentleman concerned. Ireland has the second-highest rate of low pay in the OECD. Schemes like this are making life very difficult for people. While it is not possible to find jobs for everybody surely it would make more sense if there was merit in the jobs that are on offer. It would also put more money into the economy if these people had more to spend because...

Gender Recognition Bill 2014 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Mar 2015)

Mick Wallace: This Bill is both long overdue and welcome, but it requires to have several vital amendments taken on board before it is fit for purpose. The Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton, claims the Bill compares very favourably with equivalent legislation in many other countries in Europe. The problem, however, is that the majority of these countries have very poor...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: National Internship Scheme Administration (5 Mar 2015)

Mick Wallace: 16. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the measures her Department is taking to ensure that internships carried out under the JobBridge scheme are of a high standard as regards the quality of mentoring and overall work experience; the process whereby employers are selected for the scheme, and in particular the specific criteria they must meet in order to be included; the criteria for...

An Bille um an gCeathrú Leasú is Triocha ar an mBunreacht (Neodracht) 2013: An Dara Céim [Comhaltaí Príobháideacha] - Thirty-fourth Amendment to the Constitution (Neutrality) Bill 2013: Second Stage [Private Members] (6 Mar 2015)

Mick Wallace: It is hard to know whether to laugh or cry in response to the incredible contribution we have just heard the Minister make. This and previous Governments dating back to 1999 have been disingenuous about our position on neutrality. It is simply too bad at this stage. The more we research and investigate the issue, the worse it looks. None of the four Departments dealing with Shannon...

An Bille um an gCeathrú Leasú is Triocha ar an mBunreacht (Neodracht) 2013: An Dara Céim [Comhaltaí Príobháideacha] - Thirty-fourth Amendment to the Constitution (Neutrality) Bill 2013: Second Stage [Private Members] (6 Mar 2015)

Mick Wallace: The Minister may recall that I did not once interrupt him during his 20 minute speech. We are eager to engage companies providing foreign direct investment, most of which are from the United States, which is proper order. I do not have a problem with that because it is great that these companies are creating so many jobs here. However, the truth is that we are prepared to allow innocent...

An Bille um an gCeathrú Leasú is Triocha ar an mBunreacht (Neodracht) 2013: An Dara Céim [Comhaltaí Príobháideacha] - Thirty-fourth Amendment to the Constitution (Neutrality) Bill 2013: Second Stage [Private Members] (6 Mar 2015)

Mick Wallace: The Minister did make such a link. I will send him a copy of his remarks.

An Bille um an gCeathrú Leasú is Triocha ar an mBunreacht (Neodracht) 2013: An Dara Céim [Comhaltaí Príobháideacha] - Thirty-fourth Amendment to the Constitution (Neutrality) Bill 2013: Second Stage [Private Members] (6 Mar 2015)

Mick Wallace: How in God's name can the Minister claim that Shannon Airport is not being used by aeroplanes engaged in military exercises? What would be the point of these flights coming through Shannon Airport if not for military reasons? Are the troops coming through the airport on their way to the Middle East to play golf? The 2.5 million troops who have passed through the airport since 2001 are not...

Report on Penal Reform: Motion (6 Mar 2015)

Mick Wallace: We should accept that prisons do not work and we should look at the alternatives. I will not go through the statistics but we are well aware our prisons are full of poor people who were disadvantaged in the early stages of their lives. Keeping someone in prison costs a fortune and is a serious waste of money. The money could be used in a more positive way. If it costs €65,000 to...

Report on Penal Reform: Motion (6 Mar 2015)

Mick Wallace: There are many other people in prison for not paying fines and sending them to prison is ludicrous. I am a strong believer in community service. People should not be able to buy their way out of it by paying fines. Community service is good for everyone. I have had the pleasure of doing some myself and I found it very beneficial. I could not give Members all the details as I would have to...

Report on Penal Reform: Motion (6 Mar 2015)

Mick Wallace: Deputy Finian McGrath will not leak it anyway. I challenge any other Member to race him to the plinth.

Report on Penal Reform: Motion (6 Mar 2015)

Mick Wallace: Community service makes sense as it brings people back to basics, keeps them in touch with reality and is a far more productive way of dealing with someone who has infringed the law rather than putting them in prison. It would be good if we could close prisons. The Minister of State mentioned America and it is fitting that he did so. It has become a joke in America, with more than 2...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Charter (10 Mar 2015)

Mick Wallace: 329. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the Garda Síochána codes of conduct in place to guide Garda conduct when dealing with persons with disabilities; her views on having the official Garda Síochána code of conduct published in the spirit of transparency and the public interest; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10307/15]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Equipment (10 Mar 2015)

Mick Wallace: 330. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the policies and procedures surrounding EvoFIT, the new Garda facial recognition software, particularly relating to the compilation of its database; her views on the compliance of Garda policy and procedure with data protection laws in general; if EvoFIT and policing policy in this regard have been specifically pre-checked for compliance with...