Results 5,381-5,400 of 6,821 for speaker:Seán Kyne

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Dec 2022)

Seán Kyne: On behalf of the Fine Gael group, I welcome the ambassador to the Chamber. I wish the Finnish people a happy national day as well. I had the pleasure of visiting Helsinki back in 2004 and it is a beautiful city. First, I recognise the establishment 100 years ago of the Irish Free State. It was a turbulent part of our history. We know the divisions that ensued are still with us. It is...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Dec 2022)

Seán Kyne: Yes, but the letter has been written by the CEO. It will be dealt with at the meeting subsequently. Again, it was urging caution, which I find strange. There are a number of issues here and there is talk of Garda investigations. I have no idea who has been investigated by the Garda in relation to Inland Fisheries Ireland, but I am of the view there should be an investigation by the...

Seanad: Credit Union (Amendment) Bill 2022: Order for Second Stage (6 Dec 2022)

Seán Kyne: I move: "That Second Stage be taken today."

Seanad: Credit Union (Amendment) Bill 2022: Second Stage (6 Dec 2022)

Seán Kyne: The Leas-Chathaoirleach does not need any supervision. The Minister of State is welcome. I want to briefly welcome the publication of this Bill and to compliment his own engagement with the credit union sector. He has met various credit unions, has engaged with them in stakeholder engagements and has toured the country to meet the front line in relation to credit unions. We all agree that...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Dec 2022)

Seán Kyne: I again rise to discuss a number of matters relating to Inland Fisheries Ireland. I am reminded of the famous question asked of Thomas Becket by an English king, who asked, "Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?" What is one to do if one needs to get rid of the chair of a State board? What would be a good way of doing that? One way would be to target his or her family. That would...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Dec 2022)

Seán Kyne: I know the family very well. Multiple anonymous letters have been received from former employees of Inland Fisheries Ireland, and one of the employees was suspended after 37 years of service. When that was done, they then targeted the then chair’s nephew, who is also an employee of Inland Fisheries Ireland. Clearly, people within the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Dec 2022)

Seán Kyne: Absolutely. The Minister was happy to investigate the board but he does not seem to be willing, or is not being advised, to investigate Inland Fisheries Ireland itself, its senior management and the issues that have been brought to the management’s attention and that of the Department by me, Senator Burke and others over recent months.

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (7 Dec 2022)

Seán Kyne: I welcome Terry’s family to the Chamber. I welcome his widow, Aileen, and his children, David and Tanya, as well as Bobby, who is looking on. I also welcome Deputy Joe Carey and former Deputy Brian Walsh as well, both very close friends of Terry, as well as the Members who served with him in this House. I did not serve with Terry in this House, but I served with him in the...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2022: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2022)

Seán Kyne: I welcome the Minister. We all agree that the help-to-buy scheme is a tremendous programme, supported by the Minister and the Government and pushed through in recent years with the support of the Houses. It has been a great initiative to help people to set up in their first home. In Galway, some 1,784 people have benefited from the scheme. Up to November of this year, approximately 37,330...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2022: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2022)

Seán Kyne: I thank the Minister for the response. We will not push the recommendation. It is regrettable that Sinn Féin does not want to help people to buy a home and would deny assistance to those who have benefited from the scheme. More than 1,784 people in Galway and some 37,000 nationally have to date been assisted to get their feet on the property ladder via the tax rebate under the...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2022: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2022)

Seán Kyne: I agree with Senator Maria Byrne. The changes that were made to the small business exemption scheme, from a limit of €500 to one of €1,000, are very welcome. I understand that a company will be able to give two vouchers to employees under the scheme. Does the Minister have any plans to broaden the scheme? Obviously, people are facing additional costs from transport and...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2022: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2022)

Seán Kyne: I concur with Senator Byrne. In government, Fine Gael has shown that we want to allow people to keep more of their money and to put more money back in their pockets. The Minister and the Government have increased the threshold at which people will start paying the higher rate of tax. We have kept pace with the increases in the minimum wage with adjustments to the USC as well. Those...

Joint Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Irish Speaking Community: Coláistí Samhraidh agus Mná Tí: Plé (23 Nov 2022)

Seán Kyne: Cuirim fáilte roimh Mháire Uí Choilm agus Sally Uí Rabhartaigh chuig an gcoiste. Is léir óna gcur i láthair go bhfuil níos mó le déanamh sa ról ná mar a bhíodh agus go bhfuil níos mó dualgas orthu mar mhná tí. Luadh pointe fíorthábhachtach faoi na haláraim dhóiteáin agus an bhfuil...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2022: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2022)

Seán Kyne: I concur with the recommendation. All initiatives to improve energy efficiency should be improved and made more easily available, whether for the rental sector or for individual homeowners who, for example, want to replace the front and back doors of their house. If people are not in receipt of the fuel allowance and the household benefits package, they are not able to draw down a grant for...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2022: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2022)

Seán Kyne: I move recommendation No. 14: In page 102, between lines 6 and 7, to insert the following: “Report on Tax Credit for Regional Film Development 42.The Minister shall within 3 months of the passing of this Act prepare and lay before both Houses of the Oireachtas a report on the impact of retaining the enhanced tax credit for regional film development at its original level until 31st...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2022: Second Stage (7 Dec 2022)

Seán Kyne: The Minister is welcome as is the Social Welfare Bill. It is a far cry from what we faced back in 2011 to 2014 in terms of what we can do. We are doing things in this budget because they are the right things to do but also because we are in a position to do them, given the strength and management of the economy and the fact we have such strong tax receipts. A considerable number of...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (13 Dec 2022)

Seán Kyne: I compliment the Cathaoirleach and the team on the wonderful events held yesterday to mark the centenary of the Seanad's first sitting. It was a tremendous success. There was a good representation of former Members and they certainly enjoyed the occasion. I compliment the Cathaoirleach on the initiative, all those involved in the Houses of the Oireachtas and the Seanad team here. I note...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Departmental Funding (14 Dec 2022)

Seán Kyne: I thank the Cathaoirleach's office for choosing this Commencement matter. I agree with Senator Buttimer regarding the lack of availability of the line Ministers for Commencement debates in general. That said, I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan, who is always very amenable to coming before this House. Any time I have raised issues related to his area of responsibility, he has...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Departmental Funding (14 Dec 2022)

Seán Kyne: I thank the Minister of State for the comprehensive response on behalf of the Department. Certainly when I was putting down this Commencement matter I knew that the functions were split between Tusla, which is under the Department of the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, and the Department of Justice. That creates a little bit of confusion. The Minister of State highlighted the delivery of the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Dec 2022)

Seán Kyne: The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding the arrangements for the sitting of the House on Thursday, 15 December, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; No. 2, motion regarding the proposed approval by Seanad Éireann of the Council decision regarding the extension of the period referred to in Article 552(11) of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation...