Results 3,761-3,780 of 4,178 for speaker:Paul Gavan

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (12 Dec 2023)

Paul Gavan: I second the recommendation.

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (12 Dec 2023)

Paul Gavan: I wish to speak in favour of this recommendation. As Members may know, it has been Sinn Féin's consistent policy to support a wealth tax. Of course, this is just a request for a report on a wealth tax. It is simply to investigate what a wealth tax might actually bring in. For all the points that Senator Black has raised, namely, the issues of equality and of this society where we...

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (12 Dec 2023)

Paul Gavan: I second the recommendation.

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (12 Dec 2023)

Paul Gavan: I second the recommendation.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2023)

Paul Gavan: I move amendment No. 1: In page 6, after line 29, to insert the following: “Report on extending availability of full parent’s benefit to lone parents 8. The Minister shall prepare and lay a report before the Houses of the Oireachtas on extending the availability of the full duration of parent’s benefit to lone parents to examine the effect that enabling all...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2023)

Paul Gavan: I hope to contribute on this also, if the Chair does not mind. I promise I will be very brief.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2023)

Paul Gavan: It is not often that I agree politically with my colleagues but I certainly agree on this. It is a grossly unfair issue that should have been dealt with years ago. It is not right. This is felt deeply across the Chamber.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2023)

Paul Gavan: I move amendment No. 2: In page 11, after line 34, to insert the following: “Report on establishing a social welfare adequacy commission 21. The Minister shall carry out a review on establishing a social welfare adequacy commission in order to ensure social welfare rates meet the Minimum Essential Standard of Living (MESL) to study the effect that adequacy of social welfare rates...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2023)

Paul Gavan: We propose the establishment of a social welfare adequacy commission that would advise the Government on social protection payment rates. The commission would make recommendations on payment rates ahead of the annual budget with the aim of ensuring they are adequate, meet a minimum essential standard of living, MESL, and protect people from poverty. This would ensure that all recipients are...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2023)

Paul Gavan: I move amendment No. 3: In page 11, after line 34, to insert the following: “Report on means-testing for blind pension and disability allowance 21.The Minister shall prepare and lay a report before the Houses of the Oireachtas on the means-testing eligibility requirement for blind pension and disability allowance and the impact that income threshold limitations have on access to...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2023)

Paul Gavan: I move amendment No. 4: In page 11, after line 34, to insert the following: “Report on extending the provision of disability allowance to agents in case of bereavement of child 21.The Minister shall review the rule regarding the continuation of disability allowance payment where a person is the collecting agent for their child who passes away and prepare a report on extending...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2023)

Paul Gavan: I will be honest; I am a little unclear. The Minister gave a positive response. Is she accepting the amendment or is she just commissioning a report?

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2023)

Paul Gavan: That is fine.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2023)

Paul Gavan: In that case, I will withdraw the amendment, given the Minister's positive comments.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2023)

Paul Gavan: I move amendment No. 8: In page 23, between lines 33 and 34, to insert the following: “Report in ensuring people aged 65 years of age have right to retire on State Pension Contributory 45.The Minister shall prepare and lay a report before the Houses of the Oireachtas on restoring the option on the right to retire for those aged 65 years of age on a State pension contributory and...

Seanad: Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023: Second Stage (14 Dec 2023)

Paul Gavan: Listening to our colleagues, Senators Mullen and Keogan, brought me back in time to 1983, when I first got involved in political action. I campaigned against that awful eighth amendment. Their speeches brought me back to a time when they were the dominant voices. That suffocating oppression of women was mainstream and so strongly in place that it was a horrendous time. As a result, each...

Seanad: Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023: Second Stage (14 Dec 2023)

Paul Gavan: Well said.

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community: Traveller Accommodation: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Dec 2023)

Paul Gavan: I thank all the witnesses for their presentations. I am very new to this committee and I am on a learning curve. I have huge respect for my colleagues who have spoken already because I can see their passion in trying to change things. It is great the way you have got this committee working, Chair. There seems to be a real commitment to try and deliver short- and medium-term changes. I am...

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community: Traveller Accommodation: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Dec 2023)

Paul Gavan: One of the key things we need to do - I am sure everyone will support it - is to hold the Department to account on this as quickly as possible.

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community: Traveller Accommodation: Discussion (Resumed) (14 Dec 2023)

Paul Gavan: The word that comes to mind is "empowerment". The witnesses are engaged in a process of empowerment which is fantastic. My request is that we - I know the witnesses already have it in hand - get the Department before the committee and hold it to account on this as soon as possible because it is entirely unacceptable and to be frank, I think it is a clear example of institutionalised racism,...