Results 601-620 of 11,979 for speaker:Billy Kelleher

Seanad: Unemployment Levels: Statements (15 Oct 2008)

Billy Kelleher: I welcome the contributions of Senators. I have only a short time to sum up on the discussion. The gross national product is estimated to contract by approximately 1% next year, unemployment is expected to average approximately 7.3% and inflation is expected to ease to 2.5%. I say this in the context of what we face next year and to explain why the budget was brought forward this year. It...

Order of Business (16 Oct 2008)

Billy Kelleher: That money kept Deputy Reilly in business.

Order of Business (16 Oct 2008)

Billy Kelleher: People are talking about Deputy Kenny in the corridors too. They were talking about him over breakfast this morning.

Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)

Billy Kelleher: Freedom of speech is a fundamental part of this House.

Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)

Billy Kelleher: Fine Gael wanted the Green Party as well.

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (16 Oct 2008)

Billy Kelleher: Fine Gael did not want to build Knock Airport in the first place.

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (16 Oct 2008)

Billy Kelleher: I spoke in the Seanad yesterday about the issue of unemployment, on a motion tabled by the Opposition. I will now take this opportunity to highlight some of the issues to which I referred during that debate. The global economic environment is very different from what it was in the very recent past. The environment is much more challenging and Members from both sides of the House will...

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (16 Oct 2008)

Billy Kelleher: Yes, we must keep it that way.

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (16 Oct 2008)

Billy Kelleher: It is very important that the banks realise that they are in a very different relationship with the Government, the Houses of the Oireachtas and the Irish people, a relationship that was never envisaged heretofore.

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (16 Oct 2008)

Billy Kelleher: It is incumbent on the banks to ensure that when they are attempting to claw back credit to balance their books they do not go chasing the overdrafts and current accounts of small businesses.

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (16 Oct 2008)

Billy Kelleher: I will be watching the banks very closely to ensure they do not target those small and medium sized businesses which are finding it difficult to survive at present and which need access to credit.

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (16 Oct 2008)

Billy Kelleher: The banks should not try to claw back on the overdrafts of such companies to make their own accounts look good and to cover up for the deflated property assets they have on their books. This is fundamentally important and I urge all sides to ensure this is the case. I know the banks will listen to the views of the House and this is one fundamental issue we must address.

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (16 Oct 2008)

Billy Kelleher: This budget had a backdrop of challenging times. However, it protected the vulnerable against inflation which is welcome and shows the commitment of the Government not only to sustaining sound public finances but also to ensuring resources are made available to the most vulnerable in society. We are changing and it is regretted that unemployment is rising and is projected to be at 7.3% next...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (16 Oct 2008)

Billy Kelleher: The Employment Permits Section of my Department informs me that a renewal permit has now issued in this case.

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (16 Oct 2008)

Billy Kelleher: The Employment Permits Section of my Department informs me that there is no current valid application made on behalf of the above named person. However, if the above named wishes to submit an application it will be considered on its merits.

Written Answers — Industrial Relations: Industrial Relations (16 Oct 2008)

Billy Kelleher: The Government very much regrets that Aer Lingus has found itself compelled to consider radical measures in order to remain competitive in the environment in which it is operating. The context in which these developments arise is primarily one of rapid change in the international aviation and wider transport sector. It underlines once again the severity of the challenges being faced across...

Written Answers — Employment Rights: Employment Rights (16 Oct 2008)

Billy Kelleher: The current Irish law in the area of "transfer of undertakings" is the European Communities (Protection of Employees on Transfer of Undertakings) Regulations 2003 — Statutory Instrument (S.I.) No. 131 of 2003. The Regulations implement the mandatory (i.e. mandatory to transpose) provisions of EU Council Directive 2001/23/EC of 12 March 2001 which is aimed at safeguarding the rights of...

Job Losses. (21 Oct 2008)

Billy Kelleher: I apologise as I was late for the start of the debate.

Job Losses. (21 Oct 2008)

Billy Kelleher: I will address some of the Deputy's points. The recent increase in the numbers on the live register is unwelcome and traumatic for the communities involved. It is an indication of the challenges facing the labour market and the economy as a whole. The Government is taking specific measures to address the challenge and ensure that job losses are minimal and last for as short a time as...

Job Losses. (21 Oct 2008)

Billy Kelleher: In the present competitive global markets, it is increasingly difficult to continue to attract such facilities as manufacturing companies in particular are going to low cost destinations such as China and central Europe. Central American countries, including Brazil and Singapore among others have low corporation tax levels, good infrastructures and good legal systems. Many companies are...