Results 4,901-4,920 of 5,732 for speaker:Fidelma Healy Eames

Seanad: Finance Bill 2014: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I appreciate that the real competition is online, but I am open to what Senator Cummins has said. It is extraordinary to have a betting shop open at 7 a.m. I am thinking of the staff but also of the effect on the punter who is likely to be part of a family. If the punter has children he or she should be getting out for school in the morning, I would hate to think that he or she would be in...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2014: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I have heard what the Minister of State has had to say and generally tend to agree with much of what Senator Feargal Quinn said, but perhaps we differ on this point. The product matters. I note Senator Feargal Quinn's point about the food and meat business, but that is radically different from an addictive product such as gambling. It is fine to say we are all adults who can make our own...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2014: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: This section relates to joint and several liability for tax. Perhaps the Minister of State might talk me through it because it is becoming a big issue for people in debt with partners. Prior to the cycle of boom and bust, two people could have formed a partnership, taken out a loan and been joint and severally liable for tax for this purpose. Now, if one partner leaves the country, it is...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2014: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I did not hear what the Minister of State said about what is possible. I understand the point on it being an anti-fraud measure and about VAT. Does one person have to take on the burden of everybody, even though some of the partners may have disappeared? I thought the Minister mentioned something which may have given some hope, but I could not quite hear him.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2014: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: This might be an opportunity for the Minister of State to clarify the taxation of farmers. The section refers to relief for certain leases of farm land. An issue in the west of Ireland was that the threshold of inheritance for part-time farmers was to be reduced to €225,000, but I understand substantial progress was made in regard to the measure in the Dáil. It included relief...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2014: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I thank the Minister of State for the clarification. The removal of the stamp duty on long leases is very welcome. I wanted one clarification. The section refers to farmers who are spending not less than 50% of their time farming. Many farmers work 90 hours per week, and half of that would be 45 hours. A PAYE worker might work a 39 hour week. I understand agreement on farmers working...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2014: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: The Minister of State has still not clarified the number of hours involved. I understand it is 20, but I want clarification on that. I understand the green certificate and the window of time to obtain it, but I am concerned about the number of hours a farmer must be working on a farm to qualify for the conditions.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2014: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I believe this is way too restrictive a measure. If we think about it, the capital acquisitions tax exemption would apply unless someone was under 25 and in full-time education, which is very restrictive. Arguably, people who are under 25 and not in full-time education, and who are perhaps unemployed, could be at risk of poverty without this family support. At the moment approximately 12%...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: The fact that the wording stipulates "under 25 years and in full-time education" is too restrictive. If the expression was "under 25 years or in full-time education" it would give a little more room. Let us build on Senator Quinn's point. Not everyone is ready for college after they complete the leaving certificate. Some wait until they are mature students and some have a ten-year...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Yes, but does the Minister of State understand me? Let us get it right now. Let us do the law right. If the matter were tested in a court, what would count is what is in statute. Let us rethink it.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: For the record, will the Minister of State list the range of disabilities under the scheme? Does it only extend to physical disabilities or does it include intellectual disabilities?

Seanad: Finance Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: In such a case as described by the Senator is the revenue recouped by the State?

Seanad: Role of Culture and Arts in Irish Society: Motion (10 Dec 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I welcome the Minister and thank Senator Susan O'Keeffe for raising this matter in the House. The Minister is in office at an interesting time for the arts, given that Yeats2015 was launched last week and that we are on the cusp of a new year. In many ways, the arts and culture equate to people's identity. Self-actualisation begins when one can express oneself through and experience the...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I apologise to the Deputy Leader for being unable to be present for the statements on the care home yesterday evening. My one question, which the Deputy Leader might put to the Minister as something that would form part of any inquiry, is to establish in some way why staff acted like that. It is unbelievable that so many coalesced in that and as to why the staff acted like that, I heard...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: ----- and with the experience he is bringing is an amazing man. However, it really has touched me that at present, there is no one to check any private health establishment in Ireland, including private hospitals and private nursing homes. I have approached the Ombudsman about something else in this area over which he had no remit. He has come back with a different slant this morning and I...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Áras Attracta, gabh mo leithscéal. The Deputy Leader is dead right as it is important to be correct. Finally, I note the Cathaoirleach was present this morning and I wish to compliment Senator Mullen on the fine job he did and the experience he brought to Members this morning in telling them about Mary's Meals.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: To be honest, I was deeply touched by it and I hope to be able to do something for this in Galway in the future. It is about human dignity and is about human rights in action. It is about a meal a day and with a breakfast being the route from poverty into education to freedom. I say well done to the Senator.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (11 Dec 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I second the recommendation.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (11 Dec 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I move recommendation No. 3: In page 11, between lines 18 and 19, to insert the following: "3. That within 3 months of the passing of this Bill, the Minister will lay a report before the Houses setting out options for taxation changes that would allow for a significant increase in income thresholds (currently €32,800) at the top rate of tax.".

Seanad: Finance Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (11 Dec 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: This recommendation provides that within three months of the passing of this Bill, the Minister will lay a report before the Houses setting out options for taxation changes that would allow for a significant increase in income thresholds at the top rate of tax. The current income threshold is €32,800 and it kicks in at 41%. I fully accept that once this Bill is passed, the threshold...