Results 5,521-5,540 of 5,732 for speaker:Fidelma Healy Eames

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I will be sorry to see Mr. Bernard Hand leave the House but I expect he will return. He has treated everyone with warmth and great attention. I will miss him. Further to Senator Mullen's comment about farmers and the IFA salaries, farmers feel very deceived at the unacceptable and undisclosed levels of salaries for senior IFA personnel that have gone on for a long time. I hope that will...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Nov 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: We had a fairly good and open debate here on Tuesday. I recognise the considerable skills of the Minister. He is forensic, very able and he has considerable negotiating skills. However, I am troubled that all of the amendments that had anything to do with a potential cost to the Exchequer have been ruled out of order. I know that the Minister did not make the ruling. By ruling them out...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Nov 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I know it is not the fault of the Acting Chairman and that he is only sitting in for the Cathaoirleach.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Nov 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I know.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Nov 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I am speaking on the section.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Nov 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: On that note, I will proceed. The Minister's answers to the questions will be important in terms of providing guidance for staff. I will focus largely on the teaching profession at second and third levels and on pensioners. I will make one point on councillors because other Senators have referred to them. What are councillors? They are not public servants and they do not in any way...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Nov 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: They are.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Nov 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: One rarely hears me in here talking about this issue but I respect people who serve the public. I spent three years working as a councillor, so I know the workload. With respect, Senator Norris cannot say the same, although I know that he does a lot. The pay, conditions and entitlements of councillors are worthy of attention and I ask the Minister to tell me where that can happen. I have...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Nov 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Yes.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Nov 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I am not knocking that.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Nov 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I am talking about those who are on considerably less than that, almost €30,000 less than that. Given that the good Cathaoirleach - who is not in the House - has ruled amendments out of order which could have addressed this-----

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Nov 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I know. However, what is the point of having a debate when one cannot change legislation? The purpose of us being politicians is to be able to force change, win it or lose it. I am relying on the Minister to answer this question. Will he restore the pension rights to almost half of the people who will not benefit due to the FEMPI cuts?

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Nov 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I want the Minister to answer that question. I also want to address a cost the Minister is going to impose on the Exchequer as a result of his not negotiating with lecturers, particularly with those in institutes of technology. Lecturers are doing 18 to 20 hours lecturing a week. Come next summer, when the Minister may not honour the moneys due to others, and then come next September, when...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Nov 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: They are, however, honouring the hours at the moment which is significant. My final question is on casual teacher staffing. Thousands of young teachers under 35 are on part-time hours. They have insecure employment, low hours or both. With respect, I spoke to the Minister’s official outside the Chamber and I have checked it again. There is disagreement over the Minister’s...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Nov 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: The casualisation of staffing arrangements in the teaching profession is leading to talent loss. If the teachers in question will not be linked into the Lansdowne Road agreement, they will move. Half of the current home economics graduates from St. Angela’s College, Sligo, have gone into the food industry because they will have more job security and better pay in it. This is a fact....

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Nov 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Good.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Nov 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Can the Minister say what the effect is for a person on €40,000?

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Nov 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Exactly and those hours are spread thinly over a number of days.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Nov 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: The Minister would need to tell Sinn Féin.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Nov 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: After six years of education?