Results 4,381-4,400 of 5,587 for speaker:Kevin Humphreys

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: That was not in question.

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by Ms Nicola Sturgeon (29 Nov 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: The First Minister is very welcome. She mentioned the wish for Scotland to stay within the Single Market. We are very concerned about a hard Border between us and Northern Ireland and we will do everything we can to address that issue. Scotland staying in the Single Market will involve many great challenges. How is the First Minister looking at this? One of the biggest issues facing not...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: I, too, wish to raise the issue of maternity services. I acknowledge the work done in regard to Holles Street hospital and its colocation. I am thankful that the difficulties have finally been resolved. We now have a start date for applying for planning permission. It never should have taken nearly a year to get to that stage. What is happening with Holles Street highlights the issue...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2016: Second Stage (29 Nov 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: I welcome the Minister. It is a better time to be the Minister for Social Protection than has been the case for the past five years. We must remember and listen to the contributions earlier from those who crashed and burned the country through light-touch regulation but who are so critical now. They have forgotten the damage they did to the country when they call for reinstatement in this...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2016: Committee Stage (6 Dec 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: We often see unintentional consequences. Has the Minister examined the possible unintentional consequences of a future claim in respect of K class PRSI? Senator Norris states he is quite happy to take the 4%. Using this as an example, if Senator Norris took a case against the State, saying that he is being disadvantaged and the Minister is resolving the problem for one set of officeholders...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2016: Committee Stage (6 Dec 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: As the debate was going on, I just remembered that similar advice may have been given to me.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: I thank the Leader for the work he did in inviting the appropriate Minister to make a statement on climate action and low-carbon development. I hope and believe this will be a landmark day for the House, as we will see - for the first time - real and positive action on how Ireland can show leadership when it comes to climate change. I ask the Leader to ensure there is adequate time for the...

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development: Statements (7 Dec 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: On a point of order, we are here discussing climate change, which is the most important issue. The price of a stamp is important, but this is not the time.

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development: Statements (7 Dec 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: There is a clear agenda for this sitting and it is not related to An Post or the price of a stamp, but to climate change. I ask the Senator to stick to it because time is valuable.

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development: Statements (7 Dec 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: They helped Fianna Fáil crash.

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development: Statements (7 Dec 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: I welcome the Minister. This is an important and landmark day. I hope this is the start of when we begin to take climate change seriously. Important legislation was passed. Senator Paudie Coffey was in the Department when it went through. It is important that we have the Minister in the House today. It is important that the Minister ensures his colleagues at the Cabinet table make the...

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development: Statements (7 Dec 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: We are on the foot of 15 of the hottest years the planet has seen since records started. It is five minutes to midnight. We have to put the vested interest groups outside the door and start making real practical decisions that will make a difference. Although we are a small country, we can show clear leadership in this regard and that is what I expect from the Minister. I expect clear...

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development: Statements (7 Dec 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: That is having a drastic and detrimental impact on the air quality in our cities and towns. One thing that could be done quickly is a phased move away from diesel cars. We have to move quickly because our hospitals will fill up if we do not. A zero waste management plan for restaurants has been successfully piloted in London. It involves reducing portion sizes and a planned mechanism...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (13 Dec 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: At the end of the Bill.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (13 Dec 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: I do not intend to go over all the points made by Senator Higgins but I will reiterate one comment made by her with regard to fairness. We have a real significant problem with fairness in pensions. Senator Higgins said that pensions should not be a crisis but the fact is that pensions are quickly becoming a crisis. This is not just for defined benefit schemes, it also relates to how the...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (13 Dec 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: The challenge for the State is in how it provides for future years for people who will be going onto pensions.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Dec 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: Yesterday we saw the publication of the rent pressure zones. Any action is welcome in its own way. I live in the centre of Dublin. Most mornings, I wake up to the sound of suitcase wheels rolling along the ground. I also hear it late in the evening. People are either coming from or going to the airport. They are mainly staying in Airbnb properties that were in the rental market.It is...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Dec 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: I have been very critical of what is being termed "new politics". Very few decisions have been made during the Government's term in office. We have had committees, studies and the Citizens' Assembly but we have had very little legislation. That is the case for one clear reason. When the Government tries to make a decision, it must bring Fianna Fáil along with it. Fine Gael was...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Dec 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: No, I will not go away. The Taoiseach made a commitment to do so. He has given 100% support to the Minister, Deputy Coveney, for a possible withdrawal of the legislation. The country needs leadership. There is a housing crisis and a need to deal with the rental crisis that exists, especially in terms of the rent hotspot that is Dublin. A 4% increase is a very clear signal to landlords to...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Dec 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: We have a former Taoiseach who was at the Cabinet table when this country crashed. We have the Minister, Deputy Ross-----