Results 4,301-4,320 of 4,571 for speaker:Trevor Sargent

Grant Payments. (24 Mar 2009)

Trevor Sargent: I appreciate the Deputy's welcome for the flexibility that has come to bear on this issue. On willow, there is no doubt but that the lead-in period is a disincentive for people seeking a quick return, which miscanthus can represent. Given the three year cycle willow planting represents a difficulty arises for farmers in terms of pay-back. An issue that may perhaps need to be further...

Grant Payments. (24 Mar 2009)

Trevor Sargent: The sustainability of a scheme is primarily based on its ability to continue without grant assistance. That is the essence of sustainability of any scheme. That being said, it is hoped we will be able to continue to support what is necessary to grow the bioenergy sector in Ireland. Teagasc is currently undertaking studies in this area and is prepared to give a time of business adviser to...

Grant Payments. (24 Mar 2009)

Trevor Sargent: It is hoped this can be followed through in practise.

Grant Payments. (24 Mar 2009)

Trevor Sargent: I will attempt to answer the questions asked by Deputies Doyle and Sheehan. I agree with Deputy Doyle that this issue must be addressed in the round. That is the reason there is interdepartmental co-operation on the matter. It was predicted, in terms of my briefing here today, that we might end up speaking about greener home schemes, heating programmes and so on. There is a list we could...

Oireachtas Reform: Motion. (24 Mar 2009)

Trevor Sargent: That is not true.

Oireachtas Reform: Motion. (24 Mar 2009)

Trevor Sargent: At least we are full time.

Oireachtas Reform: Motion. (24 Mar 2009)

Trevor Sargent: At least we are full-time.

Oireachtas Reform: Motion. (24 Mar 2009)

Trevor Sargent: I said I would not lead the party; there is a big difference.

Oireachtas Reform: Motion. (24 Mar 2009)

Trevor Sargent: A conflict of interest.

Oireachtas Reform: Motion. (24 Mar 2009)

Trevor Sargent: I do not know why Fine Gael did not mention committees.

Oireachtas Reform: Motion. (24 Mar 2009)

Trevor Sargent: Ceapaim gur féidir linn glacadh leis go bhfuil athruithe ag teastáil go géar san Oireachtas. Reform of the Oireachtas tends to be talked about by Opposition and Government but it is a pattern that when in Government the people who talked about it in Opposition tend to go easy on it and when they are in Opposition they get strong about it again. When Deputy Hogan was in Government he had...

Oireachtas Reform: Motion. (24 Mar 2009)

Trevor Sargent: I will finish the sentence if the Deputy has the courtesy to listen.

Oireachtas Reform: Motion. (24 Mar 2009)

Trevor Sargent: I listened carefully. Technology allows me to do so without being present in the Chamber. The Oireachtas Commission recently brought forward a number of proposals which we expect will deliver savings of some €4 million on a full year basis. It is an initiative by Members of the Oireachtas from all parties and will contribute towards the crucial goal of reducing public expenditure. The...

Oireachtas Reform: Motion. (24 Mar 2009)

Trevor Sargent: He will be aware of the debate which took place on the dual mandate, when people held the position of councillors and Deputies.

Oireachtas Reform: Motion. (24 Mar 2009)

Trevor Sargent: When we in the Green Party unilaterally declared we would end the dual mandate and operate the policy of ending it, we did not get any support from Fine Gael. When the Government finally did abolish the dual mandate, Deputy Michael Ring and others screamed loudly from the rooftops that this was a disgrace. The Deputy refers to reform and tries to come across as being sincere but, given the...

Oireachtas Reform: Motion. (24 Mar 2009)

Trevor Sargent: ——rather than just talk about it. Voting on this motion is not going to change it, as Deputy Hogan well knows. I do not believe he is able to face up to that. It is more convenient to talk about it in Opposition but not do anything about it. The Ministers of State have accepted the pension levy and a 10% pay cut. I have cut another 10% from the expenditure in my own office. It has...

Oireachtas Reform: Motion. (24 Mar 2009)

Trevor Sargent: Hear, hear.

Oireachtas Reform: Motion. (24 Mar 2009)

Trevor Sargent: Not as sad as the sight of Dick Spring on this side of the House.

Public Order Offences. (24 Mar 2009)

Trevor Sargent: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform regrets that due to other business he is unable to be present for the debate but I assure the Deputy that he shares his concern, as I do, about the incidents in Tipperary town on St. Patrick's Day and is conscious of how distressing such incidents are for the victims and the local community. The...

Rural Environment Protection Scheme (24 Mar 2009)

Trevor Sargent: Ar dtús báire, ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil leis an Teachta Deenihan as ucht an ábhar tábhachtach seo a ardú. Also, I acknowledge his hard work during his time as Minister of State in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. As stated by Deputy Deenihan, REPS has been one of the most successful schemes operated by my Department since its launch in 1994. It has brought...