Results 601-620 of 4,414 for speaker:Sean Barrett

Seanad: Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (5 Dec 2012)

Sean Barrett: As I was also happy with the Minister's response last night, I will not reopen the issue.

Seanad: Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (5 Dec 2012)

Sean Barrett: The issue is still being considered by the Minister.

Seanad: Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (5 Dec 2012)

Sean Barrett: Yes, the broad thrust of the argument was the prospect that five would become three, something we had in common, and the Minister agreed that he would come back to us on it. He wanted to complete the process in three years, with which Senator Crown and I would be very happy. On that basis I am happy to agree that five should become three. I look forward to hearing from the Minister on...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2012)

Sean Barrett: Overnight, the Carrickfergus office of Stewart Dickson, MLA, was set on fire by some of his political opponents. That is a very sad event. We all recognise the noble role the Alliance Party has paid in the peace process. Will the Leader express our regrets and sympathy to Mr. Dickson and his party on the setting on fire of the office in Carrickfergus?

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (6 Dec 2012)

Sean Barrett: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (6 Dec 2012)

Sean Barrett: Needless to say, I echo everything that has been said by Senator Bacik, by the Leader of the House and by Senator Mooney. We are paying tribute to a remarkable man today. The task endures, the work goes on. Earlier this morning, we sent our condolences to Stewart Dickson, MLA, of the Alliance Party, whose office in Carrickfergus was burnt last night. A representative of the Orange Order...

Seanad: 90th Anniversary of Seanad Éireann: Statements (11 Dec 2012)

Sean Barrett: I thank the Cathaoirleach and the Leader for their inspiring speeches on the topic. When Lord Midleton, Dr. John Henry Bernard, then provost of Trinity College, and Mr. Andrew Jameson met Arthur Griffith in London on 16 November 1921 and communicated with the then President of the Dáil, Eamon de Valera, they set in train a remarkable body, and it is fitting that we celebrate its 90th...

Seanad: Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (11 Dec 2012)

Sean Barrett: I support Senator Cullinane's comments. During the statements on the 90th anniversary of Seanad Éireann earlier, the conduct of this Bill was mentioned as a beacon of how the House can operate. I agree with Senator Cullinane's comments about the Minister's willingness to take on board points made in the House, which is appreciated.

Seanad: Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (11 Dec 2012)

Sean Barrett: I echo everything that has been said by my colleagues. Mr. Joseph Spooner of the Law Reform Commission estimates that between 1995 and 2009 the ratio of household debt to income increased from 48% to 176%. This is significant and necessary social legislation, which will make a contribution towards putting together the pieces and improving the country following a series of financial...

Seanad: Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (11 Dec 2012)

Sean Barrett: I support Senator Cullinane's comments. During the statements on the 90th anniversary of Seanad Éireann earlier, the conduct of this Bill was mentioned as a beacon of how the House can operate. I agree with Senator Cullinane's comments about the Minister's willingness to take on board points made in the House, which is appreciated.

Seanad: Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (11 Dec 2012)

Sean Barrett: I echo everything that has been said by my colleagues. Mr. Joseph Spooner of the Law Reform Commission estimates that between 1995 and 2009 the ratio of household debt to income increased from 48% to 176%. This is significant and necessary social legislation, which will make a contribution towards putting together the pieces and improving the country following a series of financial...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Dec 2012)

Sean Barrett: The Cathaoirleach will note that Rory McIlroy has waived his fee for the Irish Open in Carton House next summer.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Dec 2012)

Sean Barrett: Yesterday, Rory McIlroy waived his fee for appearing in the Irish Open next summer. His participation was already a significant boost and his generous gesture is full of the enthusiasm of youth. He deserves our thanks for a major boost to tourism next season.

Seanad: Shannon Airport: Motion (12 Dec 2012)

Sean Barrett: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Alex White. It is appropriate that the Minister of State at the Department of Health is in attendance because this airport is in an acute condition heading towards a terminal condition, and it has engaged in serious self-harm in the recent past. The reports on Shannon when it was under regulation by the Commission for Aviation Regulation showed that it...

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (13 Dec 2012)

Sean Barrett: As always, I welcome the Minister. As Senator MacSharry said, he is most assiduous in coming to the Seanad. I support the Minister's goals of abolishing the HSE - in fact, we tried to do it at a quicker pace when the Minister was last in the House - and establishing universal health insurance. However, I have serious misgivings about this Bill. The Bill is based on a couple of fallacies....

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Second Stage (13 Dec 2012)

Sean Barrett: I agree with the previous speakers that the funding is going in the right direction. It was decreased from ¤393 million to ¤360 million and it is now ¤324 million for the period 2013-15. That means that we are in touch with what is going on outside of these Houses. Perhaps the communications unit will communicate that message. There is a lack of coverage and many taxpayers do not know...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2012)

Sean Barrett: I raise concerns expressed to me in Armagh on Saturday about the future of the Church of Ireland College of Education. The symbolism shown by the Government in moving to shut down this college appals me. Anybody who has been to the North of Ireland lately knows the unintended consequences of concerns about flags have led to renewed violence on the streets. This matter was raised on the...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2012)

Sean Barrett: Among the many important points made by the Minister was the one relating to the increase during the boom era to approximately 16% in the number of people in receipt of disability, invalidity or other illness benefits. It appears in retrospect that in an economy in which there is full employment the welfare economy gains. The Minister is trying to correct this problem through the...

Seanad: Credit Institutions (Stabilisation) Act 2010: Motion (18 Dec 2012)

Sean Barrett: I welcome the Minister of State. Towards the end of his speech, the Minister of State said the failures of the banking sector almost brought the country to its knees. The word "almost" might be deleted as the banks did a pretty good job in that regard. With regard to the pillar banks, are we creating a future duopoly? Might we have decided to break up the pillar banks? "Too big to fail"...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2012)

Sean Barrett: Yesterday, I raised the issue of the future of the Church of Ireland College of Education and the concerns expressed to me at meetings which I attended in Armagh on Saturday about the symbolism of abolishing that college at a time when relations between the traditions in Ireland are somewhat fraught. The Leader said he would arrange to have the matter selected for discussion on the...