Results 441-460 of 6,783 for speaker:Seán Kyne

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: European Issues: Discussion with European Movement Ireland (11 Dec 2012)

Seán Kyne: I welcome Ms O'Connell and Mr. Richmond and thank them for their report. Have they any figures with regard to the role of MEPs in terms of ongoing scrutiny and keeping the public informed and getting the message to them in their constituencies? They mentioned how the Irish Presidency might be perceived by the ambassadors and about asking ambassadors how it is perceived in their countries....

Social Welfare Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2012)

Seán Kyne: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important Bill. I believe in and understand the necessity for a social welfare system and have often highlighted the fact that the vast majority of citizens will rely on this system of support at some point in their lives. It is much more than a safety net that helps citizens through hard times. The social protection system does not exist in...

Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Second Stage (14 Dec 2012)

Seán Kyne: It is safe to say that most countries have some form of local property tax or charge and it is an internationally accepted way of funding local service provision. A local property tax is a steady source of income for local authorities. As former members of local authorities, I and many Deputies know that we had very little power in terms of raising local revenue. Other than setting...

Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Second Stage (14 Dec 2012)

Seán Kyne: That debate is well known.

Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Second Stage (14 Dec 2012)

Seán Kyne: We have debated this issue in the constituency which Deputy Ó Cuív and I share. Last year Fianna Fáil opposed the flat rate household tax but now it wants to keep that tax and oppose this more progressive tax. There is a slight contradiction in that approach. Sinn Féin's policies in the North differ from its approach in the South. In a partitionist policy, it...

Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Second Stage (14 Dec 2012)

Seán Kyne: Fianna Fáil got rid of rates.

Topical Issues: School Curriculum (18 Dec 2012)

Seán Kyne: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for facilitating this topical issue debate and welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills, Deputy Ciarán Cannon. As the Minister is aware, recent surveys have found that Irish pupils are doing well generally but are finding certain subjects, such as mathematics and science, more challenging. It is clear we are seeing the early...

Topical Issues: School Curriculum (18 Dec 2012)

Seán Kyne: I welcome some of the initiatives enacted and the increase in the percentage for oral Irish in the leaving certificate. The Minister stated that, without wanting to pre-empt the NCCA report, it is likely the revised curriculum will have a greater emphasis on oral Irish. My concern is the comment of the Minister, as reported, about the amount of time we spend teaching Irish. The Minister...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Rebates (18 Dec 2012)

Seán Kyne: To ask the Minister for Finance if consideration will be given to extending the diesel rebate for hauliers, as announced in Budget 2013, to the marine transportation sector in recognition of the boost such a measure would have on the expansion of the industry and the economic benefits which will accrue to local, in particular rural, areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56921/12]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teaching Qualifications (18 Dec 2012)

Seán Kyne: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 152 of 8 November 2012 if teachers employed in substitute positions and in possession of a Masters Degree prior to 4 December 2011 are entitled to the qualification allowance. [56945/12]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services (18 Dec 2012)

Seán Kyne: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will outline the steps a citizen can take when attempting to remedy a problem with broadband internet access which has been provided by the telecommunications company awarded the national broadband scheme contract when efforts to resolve the issue with the company have not progressed. [56948/12]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Exchange of Views with Mr. Egemen Bagis, Turkish Minister for Europe and Principal Turkish Negotiator for EU Membership. (18 Dec 2012)

Seán Kyne: I welcome Mr. Bagis and the group from Turkey. It is fair to say that there is a certain amount of concern in Europe about a country of Turkey's size coming into the Union and its impact on migration. Would Mr. Bagis say something about the current economic situation in Turkey and the levels of employment and industry there because the last record we have for the population is 74 million?...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Grassland Sheep Scheme Eligibility (20 Dec 2012)

Seán Kyne: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a payment under the sheep grassland scheme was recouped by his Department in July 2012 having been paid to a person (details enclosed) in County Galway in February 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57378/12]

Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Jan 2013)

Seán Kyne: The redrawing of boundaries for Dáil constituencies is an issue that can give rise to significant grievances and protests, but it is a necessary part of a political process that takes account of constitutional requirements and census results. I was only two years old when the most infamous changes to Dáil constituencies took place in 1977 and the term "Tullymander" entered the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Europe's Youth Unemployment Crisis: Discussion (17 Jan 2013)

Seán Kyne: I welcome Mr. Cosgrave. I apologise for being late and for my question in case he answered it in his presentation. He mentioned that not everyone avails of third level education and I agree that not everyone does. Can he comment on the education system and where he would like it to be? He made positive comments about maths and science. What is his view of modern European languages? Do...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Rates (22 Jan 2013)

Seán Kyne: 322. To ask the Minister for Social Protection her plans to work with the National Consumer Agency, the State agency under its remit, to provide assistance to older citizens in selecting energy products/services in view of the shift in focus of the household benefits package from units based approach to a credit based one; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3144/13]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Rates (22 Jan 2013)

Seán Kyne: 404. To ask the Minister for Social Protection his plans to provide assistance to older citizens in receipt of the household benefits package in securing the best value energy package/products in view of the move away from units based approach to a credit based system; and if she plans to work with the National Consumer Agency to achieve this. [3113/13]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Redundancy Payments (22 Jan 2013)

Seán Kyne: 403. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if, in view of recent examples of companies entering receivership or examinership, if further consideration can be given to introducing a tiered redundancy rebate scheme based on turnover/company size which would provide a safety net for smaller, indigenous enterprises as well as ensuring adequate provision for employees in the unfortunate event...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Commemorative Events (22 Jan 2013)

Seán Kyne: 408. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if consideration will be given to including the 800th anniversary of the introduction of the Magna Carta Hiberniae, Great Irish Charter, which was the Irish, and only other variation, of the Magna Carta in the Decade of Commemorations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3138/13]

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: State Bodies (22 Jan 2013)

Seán Kyne: 413. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he shares concerns regarding the future of an Údáras-run company (details supplied) in County Galway on which many local companies rely; if consideration will be given to arranging a consultation process with experts in this industry who could provide insight on courses of action which would safeguard the future of...