Results 361-380 of 583 for speaker:Tom Barry

Seanad Reform: Motion [Private Members] (16 Oct 2014)

Tom Barry: I welcome the opportunity to speak to the motion. The Seanad has an important role to play. There have been issues in the past but the Taoiseach got very little recognition for his appointees. They made up their own minds and refused to vote with the Government on a number of issues. It is unfair to criticise him when he is trying to make a difference. The referendum has opened up...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Expenditure (21 Oct 2014)

Tom Barry: 498. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the cost per year, over the past ten years, of archaeological investigations on school building sites; and the way this measures as a percentage of overall spend [39773/14]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Archaeological Sites (21 Oct 2014)

Tom Barry: 499. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the regulatory body that is charged with overseeing archaeological investigations to ensure that they are bona fide and are of genuine archaeological and heritage significance; if there has been an official investigation to verify the authenticity of a dig to verify that taxpayers' money has not been wasted. [39774/14]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Boards Funding (21 Oct 2014)

Tom Barry: 515. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the changes in funding allocations to the Cork Education and Training Board in recent months, in terms of both current expenditure and capital expenditure. [40003/14]

Mortgage Arrears: Motion [Private Members] (4 Nov 2014)

Tom Barry: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this very important motion, and I am glad it has been introduced. I remember writing a document in 2010 called Parked Percentage Mortgage Plan, which was eventually fed into the Keane report, which called it a split mortgage. This was a start, as at the time there was hardly anybody in the country who did not have some iron in the fire, having bought an...

Mortgage Arrears: Motion [Private Members] (4 Nov 2014)

Tom Barry: We must remember that the country is recovering. I am not smiling when I say that. In such a recovery, people have the opportunity to repay more than they thought they could some time ago. It is important that we have a solution for every person involved. Ironically, the solutions fitting mortgages may also help a sector with which I am involved, that of small businesses. Most of these...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Data (4 Nov 2014)

Tom Barry: 318. To ask the Minister for Finance the changes in budget 2015 to the rate of stamp duty; the criteria for exemption from stamp duty; and the rates that apply if the consanguinity relief, which halves the stamp duty on sales of non-residential property to family members, has been extended in budget 2015. [41602/14]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Valuation Office (4 Nov 2014)

Tom Barry: 352. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his Department's policy regarding rates on properties utilised by charities (details supplied) which are registered charities; and if it is Government policy that these charities can avail of rate exemptions in view of the fact that they are voluntary, community organisations and their whole ethos is to provide support and benefits to...

Finance Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2014)

Tom Barry: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Finance Bill 2014. This is a very important budget and I would like to discuss the measures it introduced relating to agriculture. It is an extraordinary budget for the agriculture industry that is based on taxation review. While the review may have passed by some people, it was long-awaited and it is very in-depth and captured the essence of...

Social Welfare Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Nov 2014)

Tom Barry: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Social Welfare Bill. I welcome the balance that has been struck here. As has been mentioned, there is the increase in the living alone allowance, the Christmas bonus, the €5 increase in children's allowance at a cost of €72 million - a lot of money - and the topical one, the €100 subsidy towards the water charge for those on the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Retirement Scheme (11 Nov 2014)

Tom Barry: 282. To ask the Minister for Defence if a pension will be put in place in respect of a person (detail supplied) in County Cork; and the reason they have not been medically discharged. [42935/14]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Irish Water Staff Remuneration (11 Nov 2014)

Tom Barry: 513. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the starting rates of pay at Irish Water; and the rates of pay for the various grades. [43131/14]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Irish Water Staff (11 Nov 2014)

Tom Barry: 514. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the number of persons, other than those recruited from local authorities, employed by Irish Water. [43132/14]

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2014)

Tom Barry: I welcome the agri-taxation review. It has come at a good time. I apologise in advance if I repeat anything that has been already discussed but I was unable to be here for the earlier debate. Participation in part-time courses by farmers is difficult owing to a clash between the work they must do and time availability. There is a need for recognition in this regard. I am not happy with...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2014)

Tom Barry: We should look at the definition again and examine if we are crossing over on the definition of a single farm payment. People sign a single farm payment application form, an application for European money, stating that they are a farmer. We do not want a situation where people are stating they are a farmer to receive European moneys and at the same time are not qualifying for this. I know...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2014)

Tom Barry: If I am reading this correctly, this section states that people with a higher level science degree in applied agriculture or bachelor of science honours degree will be deemed qualified. Is that correct?

An Bille um an gCeathrú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Uimh. 3) 2014: An Dara Céim (Atógáil) [Comhaltaí Príobháideacha] - Thirty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution (No. 3) Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) [Private Members] (20 Nov 2014)

Tom Barry: This is a very important issue. As we all know, water is vital, but we have seen many people use it as a political tool. It is a plentiful resource but, unfortunately, providing it to people in their taps requires much effort. I hope the result of what we have seen over the past while will be the start of a proper water service and that, like our broadband service, this service will be put...

Water Sector Reforms: Motion (Resumed) (20 Nov 2014)

Tom Barry: While it is repeating the point, it is very important to say I absolutely condemn the thuggish behaviour that took place last week. There is no place for it in our democracy. It was shocking. Politicians from all parties might disagree with each other's policies and we might have issues between us, but allowing mob rule is a very dangerous route to take. Not only was the Tánaiste...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (25 Nov 2014)

Tom Barry: 254. To ask the Minister for Defence if he will acknowledge that a person (details supplied) was not medically assessed by an army medical doctor and therefore their discharge is invalid; if this matter will be investigated; if the persons medical discharge papers will be located and forwarded to this Deputy. [44930/14]

Human Rights Budgeting: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (26 Nov 2014)

Tom Barry: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the motion and I thank Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan for tabling it. The issue is important and I accept we all have a responsibility to look at the social impact of decisions reached. Politicians have a responsibility to lead but also to try to bring people with them. It does not mean people will always agree with policy but I like to think the...