Results 3,601-3,620 of 34,778 for speaker:Seán Fleming

National Lottery Bill 2012: Second Stage (29 Jan 2013)

Seán Fleming: Before the Minister concludes he might state whether he will address this point in some way on Committee Stage. I am not going to tie his hands in regard to how the fund is managed. We could have a debate on the nitty gritty of the funding and whether it is to be locked up in a certain account, or whatever. We will have constructive suggestions on that. We are just not sure about the...

National Lottery Bill 2012: Second Stage (29 Jan 2013)

Seán Fleming: If we ring-fence it for the children's hospital-----

National Lottery Bill 2012: Second Stage (29 Jan 2013)

Seán Fleming: In the past week or so, the State received €1 billion in respect of Bank of Ireland. It obtained approximately €400 million from sale of the 4G licence in December. The sale of the national lottery licence could bring in up to €600 million. I can provide an estimate in this regard and be wrong but the Minister must be more careful. I might be correct, however, because...

National Lottery Bill 2012: Second Stage (29 Jan 2013)

Seán Fleming: The money obtained from the sale of the 4G licence last year went into the general pot relating to reducing the deficit. I wish to deal with a few broader issues before commenting on the specifics of the legislation. On gambling protocols and online gaming, the Minister stated: "It is considered appropriate, in view of the potential for developing lottery sales on the Internet, to provide...

National Lottery Bill 2012: Second Stage (29 Jan 2013)

Seán Fleming: I understand it will be on the Internet but I want to know if it will be available on television. At present, for example, if I press a particular button on my Sky remote, I will be offered €20 free for a first bet if I start gambling on a certain channel. I am not a gambler and I do not know all the details. However, I do know that such channels are available on my Sky package....

National Lottery Bill 2012: Second Stage (29 Jan 2013)

Seán Fleming: This issue must be teased out. In the context of controls relating to those under 18 years of age, there are very few people under that age who, despite whatever parental locks are in place, cannot navigate the various functions of a television remote control. In most cases, it is children who tell their parents how to operate such controls. I am concerned with regard to gambling and, as...

National Lottery Bill 2012: Second Stage (29 Jan 2013)

Seán Fleming: I am happy with that.

National Lottery Bill 2012: Second Stage (29 Jan 2013)

Seán Fleming: The good thing about our discussion is that it shows the Minister is listening and is prepared to engage with us. I welcome that positive aspect but I accept that it might not be exact protocol to have a little chat on Second Stage. I am concerned with the establishment of the proposed regulator. If it is the Minister's intention to proceed in this regard, then a provision should be...

National Lottery Bill 2012: Second Stage (29 Jan 2013)

Seán Fleming: Yes. He might become addicted but I am sure there is a provision in the Bill which will prevent him from buying a lottery ticket. Section 12 states:(3) In removing the Regulator, the Minister shall give a statement of the reason or reasons for the removal to the Regulator and the statement of reasons shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.I am of the opinion that the approval of...

National Lottery Bill 2012: Second Stage (29 Jan 2013)

Seán Fleming: The regulator is not independent and I am happy with that. I like democratic control. I have a serious concern regarding section 24. I issued a press release today and I may have referred to this section. Section 24(2) states: "The amount of levy under this section shall be decided by the Regulator." This gives the regulator a blank cheque for his own operation. The levy funds the...

National Lottery Bill 2012: Second Stage (29 Jan 2013)

Seán Fleming: I understand that. However, the purpose of this legislation is to ensure the person is compliant with the requirements of the Taxes Consolidation Act. If a winner of the lotto owes the Revenue a tax bill of €50,000, the implication in this provision is that the winnings can be accessed by the Revenue-----

National Lottery Bill 2012: Second Stage (29 Jan 2013)

Seán Fleming: It would be a good thing. However, the Minister is opening a dangerous door. Before a prize cheque is handed out to the winner, the Revenue may require a winner to produce a tax clearance certificate. It is not the Minister's intention but it is amazing once such provisions are inserted in a Bill how they can be interpreted. The operator may not wish to hand out a cheque before the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Administration (29 Jan 2013)

Seán Fleming: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the progress that has been in the transfer of responsibilities for the provision of rent allowance and the timeframe for future changes. [4097/13]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (29 Jan 2013)

Seán Fleming: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a person can work as part of their apprenticeship to obtain their trade and qualifications for a company in Northern Ireland where the company is carrying out works on projects here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4190/13]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Applications (29 Jan 2013)

Seán Fleming: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a Student Universal Support Ireland grant will be awarded in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3846/13]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Appeals (29 Jan 2013)

Seán Fleming: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of appeals received by the Independent Student Grant Appeals Board; the number of appeals that have been decided on; if he will provide a breakdown of the decisions in relation to whether the original decision was confirmed or amended; the total amount of grants approved to date; when all the appeals will be dealt with; and if he will...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Foreign Direct Investment (29 Jan 2013)

Seán Fleming: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the amount of grants paid by the Industrial Development Agency to companies (details supplied) in County Laois in each of the past ten years; the number of companies receiving such grants in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4167/13]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Rates (29 Jan 2013)

Seán Fleming: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will confirm if a person (details supplied) in County Laois is in receipt of their correct payment from the Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4175/13]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Pension Provisions (29 Jan 2013)

Seán Fleming: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will confirm that in a review of her Department employment support schemes that in table 3.2 community employment numbers and expenditure, page 38 that there is confirmation that in 2008 there was an accrual of €3.75 million in respect of CE supervisors pension claims and that this figure was written back into the Department accounts in...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Septic Tank Registration Scheme (29 Jan 2013)

Seán Fleming: To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if the new grant scheme for improvement works to domestic sewerage/waste water systems will be available to persons who have not registered by 1 February 2013; if expenditure incurred prior to this date to bring these systems up to the appropriate standard will be considered for grant purposes; and if he will make a statement...