Results 481-500 of 566 for speaker:Niall Ó Brolcháin

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: It is important-----

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I have stated that I find what Senator Coffey said appalling, that there are children scavenging in bins. This does not mean we should let horses starve either. Horses eat grass.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: If the Senator is trying to justify-----

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: If people are trying to justify cruelty to animals, that is an appalling indictment and is outrageous. Senator Coffey should withdraw his remarks.

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage (9 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: The Senator should be careful.

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage (9 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I hope Senator Norris is not suggesting we organise orgies in this House or another house that he may have ambitions to enter in the future.

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage (9 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: Senator Norris used very colourful language, on which I commend him. I welcome the correct approach taken in the Bill not to merge the Food Safety Authority of Ireland or the Irish Medicines Board with the Office of Tobacco Control, as those organisations have specific remits. Bringing the office into the Health Service Executive allows us added value and will improve the health aspects of...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I very much support Senator Coffey in his call for a debate on stimulus. Just because he is on the other side of the House does not mean he does not make some valid points.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I am calling for a debate on stimulus, just as Senator Coffey did, because it is a valid point. In this House we spend a great deal of time discussing the downside in the cuts but it is important we look at ways in which we can avoid cuts in the future. I call also for a debate on the issue of public discourse with the body politic. I had occasion to travel on a bus today on the way from...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: The low regard in which some members of the public-----

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: The Senator was here also. The reality is that the public has a very low regard for politics at present. There is a huge job to be done to win back regard. Both the Opposition and Government need to explore new ways to ensure the people and politicians interact in a more healthy way.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: Has Senator Buttimer ever voted against his party?

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: That was a long time ago.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: There are real concerns with regard to the minimum wage which is to be reduced by 12% through this legislation. Social welfare payments are to be reduced by 4%. We need to be careful about poverty traps when considering the reduction in the minimum wage. The Bill provides for certain safeguards, such as giving the Minister the power to vary the minimum wage. I would love to hear a...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I do not always read Fine Gael's pre-budget submissions.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I am concerned about the potential for poverty traps. Clearly the minimum wage cannot be reduced for people who are currently at work.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: It actually cannot happen.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I would like an assurance from the Minister of State that people who are currently in employment will not suffer a reduction in their wages.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: The minimum wage will be reduced by €1 to €7.65. I want to be absolutely certain that the effect of this reduction will be monitored. As I am not completely convinced by the argument that reducing the minimum wage will lead to increased employment, I want to see evidence of the impact of the decision. Reducing the minimum wage will bring it closer to the money one would receive from...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I agree it is the key point.