Results 601-620 of 35,959 for speaker:Pearse Doherty

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Pearse Doherty: The reality is that the Minister has removed the incentive for those who want to go on to third level. Those in receipt of the back to education allowance will no longer be eligible to receive maintenance grants. The maintenance grant for those who are eligible has been cut by 5%. We need to be clear about this. I asked the Minister a question to try to cut through all the spin about us...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Pearse Doherty: That is not what the Minister said. She said this only affected those who had never worked. That is okay because all of us make mistakes. I made one when I spoke about the circumstances of the 25 year old. People need to have made contributions for two years. They may have worked for a year and a half but will still be treated in this way. There will still be that anomaly between...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Pearse Doherty: I asked a question on the legal evidence, as the Minister referred to legal advice on the scheme introduced for those aged 18 and 19. Have we got legal advice on this? In my view we are discriminating against those under 25 so have we advice that this is completely constitutional? This is an example of ageism. The Minister's answer is technically correct but it still does not bring about...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Pearse Doherty: This is a clear question.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Pearse Doherty: I will keep asking the question until I get a simple answer. It is a "Yes" or "No" answer. Was legal advice sought on this issue of treating those under 25 differently from those 25 and over?

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Pearse Doherty: Of course it is relevant. If this legislation is tested-----

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Pearse Doherty: No.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Pearse Doherty: Of course it is relevant. If the legislation we are attempting to pass could be found unconstitutional, it would-----

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Pearse Doherty: We are the legislators and we should be informed as to whether legal advice on this issue was sought. It is a simple "Yes" or "No" answer.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Pearse Doherty: With all the-----

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Pearse Doherty: In all fairness, I am asking a question of the Minister on the issue of the different treatment of those under 25. Was legal advice sought on this? It is a "Yes" or "No" answer.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Pearse Doherty: The Minister has not said "Yes" or "No" to the question.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Pearse Doherty: Energy prices have gone through the roof.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Pearse Doherty: I agree with the Minister to some extent and as we approach the finality of this Bill I have no doubt that if the Fine Gael Party was in government I would be sitting on this side of the House opposing the measures it would introduce in a social welfare Bill because our party has shown clearly that social welfare should not be touched. The Minister said that if we did not touch social...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Pearse Doherty: These details relate to that.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Pearse Doherty: I am talking about what it relates to.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Pearse Doherty: I am talking in regard to-----

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Pearse Doherty: In regard to Schedule 2, let us put it in perspective.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2009)

Pearse Doherty: I am getting down to it. Schedule 2 itemises the cuts to which young people will have to adhere, the benefits that will be drastically cut. We should put those in perspective and not muddle it up in a spin of 0.4% of 1% of national debt. We should be clear on this. A young person who has worked building the Irish economy for the past year and a half and who has paid taxes and PRSI will...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2009)

Pearse Doherty: On that point, I agree with my colleague, Senator Alex White. The Minister of State has indicated that an additional cut will apply to the Taoiseach's pay. Having read the legislation, I have not found this cut. It should be in the legislation in black and white. Will another voluntary cut be made to make up the difference? I fundamentally oppose the section. As the Minister of State is...