Results 4,061-4,080 of 26,843 for speaker:Richard Boyd Barrett

Leaders' Questions (31 Jan 2013)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I have no problem with them. My problem is with the policy.

Leaders' Questions (31 Jan 2013)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I can provide the statistics showing that two thirds are being refused.

Topical Issue Debate: Forestry Sector (31 Jan 2013)

Richard Boyd Barrett: The plan to sell off the harvesting rights of 1.2 million acres of State forestry, the people's forests, to pay off the debts of bankers is an act of national sabotage and betrayal. Public ownership of the forests and the trees that stand on them is the birthright of Irish citizens. I do not know if the word "treason" has its roots in the word "trees" but to sell off the State forestry is...

Topical Issue Debate: Forestry Sector (31 Jan 2013)

Richard Boyd Barrett: First, the idea we might be required to dispose of State assets because the troika tells us to do so makes the whole matter obscene and outrageous. That we might sell off our State forestry - our national heritage - to pay off the debts of gamblers is nothing short of obscene. The Government is not specifically required to sell off Coillte. It could find this money elsewhere by taxing the...

Topical Issue Debate: Forestry Sector (31 Jan 2013)

Richard Boyd Barrett: We could give them Anglo Irish Bank and all its debts.

Topical Issue Debate: Forestry Sector (31 Jan 2013)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Can we have public hearings on the matter?

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Petroleum and Gas Exploration (31 Jan 2013)

Richard Boyd Barrett: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans for the implementation of recommendations in the Report on Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration here in relation to the licensing and tax terms for oil and gas exploration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4598/13]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Exploration Licences (31 Jan 2013)

Richard Boyd Barrett: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will give a commitment that no licences for on-shore unconventional shale gas exploration will be granted at least until the new Environmental Protection Agency report on the Environmental Impacts of Unconventional Gas Exploration and Extraction is completed and considered. [5059/13]

Other Questions: NAMA Social Housing (5 Feb 2013)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I have a raised this issue on a number of occasions with the Minister of State. Does she not recognise that the progress being made in this area is pathetic given that the census of population identified that there were 340,000 empty houses and having regard to the number of people on the housing waiting list, namely, some 100,000 families? It is unbelievable that so little progress has...

Other Questions: NAMA Social Housing (5 Feb 2013)

Richard Boyd Barrett: That has to be addressed.

Other Questions: Commercial Rates Calculations (5 Feb 2013)

Richard Boyd Barrett: To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if, in the interests of the economic difficulties that small retail in town centres are experiencing, he will consider bringing forward legislation that will allow for local authorities to implement a differential rates system that would see retailers being billed according to their turnover and their ability to pay; and if...

Other Questions: Commercial Rates Calculations (5 Feb 2013)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Basically the Minister is saying that there will be no change. The Government is failing to acknowledge and take action on what is an enormous crisis facing small and medium enterprises, which the Government itself constantly says will be the driving force and the motor behind our economic recovery. There are 4,000 family-owned businesses in this country employing around 90,000 which are on...

Other Questions: Commercial Rates Calculations (5 Feb 2013)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I always have done.

Other Questions: Commercial Rates Calculations (5 Feb 2013)

Richard Boyd Barrett: James Connolly was always on the side of workers and small businesses. It is the big businesses that are the problem.

Other Questions: Commercial Rates Calculations (5 Feb 2013)

Richard Boyd Barrett: We want to reduce the burden on small businesses and on low and middle income workers who, by the way, depend on each other. Who does the Minister think spends money in the small and medium-sized businesses on the high street? It is the corporations and the very wealthy, who can hoard their money offshore and avoid their taxes while making enormous profits, who should be made pay a bigger...

Other Questions: Property Taxation (5 Feb 2013)

Richard Boyd Barrett: To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the fact that local authorities will be liable for the property tax with regards to their housing stock, the way he intends local authorities to deal with this; if he will be or has already issued any communication to local authorities in this regard; and his views on whether council tenants should be asked to pay...

Other Questions: Property Taxation (5 Feb 2013)

Richard Boyd Barrett: The chairperson of the Dublin City Council finance committee and a number of other councillors have confirmed that there is no doubt that if the property tax is imposed on local authority housing in Dublin City Council, it will be passed on in the form of rent to local authority tenants. The same report was given by council officials in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council at...

Other Questions: Property Taxation (5 Feb 2013)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Make the big multinationals pay.

Leaders' Questions (5 Feb 2013)

Richard Boyd Barrett: It was because they were poor.

Leaders' Questions (5 Feb 2013)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I thank the Ceann Comhairle. I am sure the Taoiseach is acutely aware, and I suspect the Labour Party is even more acutely aware, that tens of thousands of workers and other citizens will be taking to the streets this weekend to oppose the crippling debt that has been imposed on their shoulders-----