Results 761-780 of 35,959 for speaker:Pearse Doherty

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Jul 2010)

Pearse Doherty: I support the calls for a debate on the national development plan. Since the beginning of the year, we have been hearing that €3 billion in cuts and a €1 billion reduction in capital spending are coming down the line. However, it is only when constituents read today's newspapers to see where these cuts are being proposed that alarm bells begin to ring in their ears. Of the 40 projects...

Seanad: Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Jul 2010)

Pearse Doherty: I support both amendments. The Minister of State will be well aware that I opposed this Bill on Second Stage and called a vote on it although that vote was not able to proceed as there was no one else to act as a teller in the time allotted. I welcome the amendments, both of which are important. The first deals with the bringing of any decision before the Houses of the Oireachtas. The...

Seanad: Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Jul 2010)

Pearse Doherty: The Government has pursued a policy of health services privatisation and attacked public health service provision. That has been the agenda, particularly of the Minister for Health and Children. Sometimes the Government has been happy to hide behind the Minister and state it is her agenda. The reality is that the privatisation of health services is part of the agenda of Fianna Fáil, the...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Jul 2010)

Pearse Doherty: I rise to add my voice of support for the two amendments under discussion. While I acknowledge it is unlikely the Minister will accept these amendments, this issue should be reconsidered. These amendments encompass what this historic day is all about. It is about acknowledging and recognising same-sex families. They are families. I have listened to the debate with interest. Some of the...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Jul 2010)

Pearse Doherty: Those who are in same-sex unions were once children. We all went through the same experience. As a father, the best thing one can ask for any child is to ensure they are being brought up in a loving relationship. I commend Senator Norris, with the help of outside support, on crafting these amendments, in particular amendment No. 37 which goes further than dealing with same-sex unions in...

Seanad: Economic Competitiveness (8 Jul 2010)

Pearse Doherty: This issue is the need to introduce legislation so that all those successful in tendering for State contracts would be obliged to comply with the registered employment agreement as laid down for the construction industry. I bring this to the Seanad because I am aware of certain incidents and have been in direct correspondence with the Minister about them. In the county I represent, Donegal,...

Seanad: Economic Competitiveness (8 Jul 2010)

Pearse Doherty: I thank the Minister of State for what is probably the most comprehensive response I have received in respect of a matter I have raised since I became a Member of the Seanad. I also thank him for his commitment to raise the specific issue with the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills. He addressed the general issue in a very clear manner and I would appreciate it if he could...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Jul 2010)

Pearse Doherty: I express my heartfelt sympathy to the families bereaved by a tragic accident in Inishowen during the late hours of Sunday night. From speaking with people on the peninsula, I know they are preparing for the funerals. The next three days will be a difficult time during which the funerals, mostly of young people, will go ahead. Incidents like this focus us on road safety. It is important...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Jul 2010)

Pearse Doherty: -----for a judicial review. I am glad the Government will be in the dock on 29 July to answer my claims in the High Court that the former is acting unlawfully and unconstitutionally.

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Jul 2010)

Pearse Doherty: A debate on how to fill those vacancies is required.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2010)

Pearse Doherty: I listened to the Minister's comments. He has referred to those involved in courses having a greater chance of gaining full-time employment than those who sit at home looking at the walls. Unfortunately, I know many who are unemployed and they do not sit at home looking at the walls. The are seeking employment and some of them will be affected by the measure in the Bill. The Minister has...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2010)

Pearse Doherty: Hopefully, we will not have to wait two years for the people to cast judgment. We may be able to cast judgment on the Government's record sooner rather than later since the wheels began to turn in this regard yesterday. I would welcome that because the Minister referred to the Government's record in transforming communities and so on. He knows my community and the constituency I represent....

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2010)

Pearse Doherty: A total of 30% of the workforce is unemployed. These people are on the live register. If the Minister wants to talk about transforming communities, let us have an honest debate.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2010)

Pearse Doherty: This affects 30% of the workforce in Donegal and, unfortunately, they are dependent on social welfare payments. If the Minister wants a pre-election debate, we can have that. I understand there are activation measures but, as the Minister asked earlier, is this the chicken or the egg? People are not crying out for legislation that will penalise them if they do not take up a training place,...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2010)

Pearse Doherty: The amendments are concerned with appropriate training places and the issue is whether it is appropriate for somebody to have to incur exorbitant travel costs. It is alright for Ministers with a Mercedes at their backsides but it is different for people dependent on a social welfare payment who must put their hands in their pockets to pay taxi fares, which could cost more than 60% of their...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2010)

Pearse Doherty: I listened to the debate. Will the Minister provide the reference for the exemption in the legislation?

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2010)

Pearse Doherty: What distance is laid down in the regulations? A seven-mile taxi fare would be quite expensive over five days a week.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2010)

Pearse Doherty: The only thing the Government is stimulating is Anglo Irish Bank.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2010)

Pearse Doherty: I, too, have questions in this regard. I understand the issue of skills and the fact these people have the skills. However, why do we not promote from within and create new jobs at entrance level in the Department instead of bringing back retired social welfare officers to act as appeals officers? How will these people be remunerated? Will they receive their pensions and be paid at the...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2010)

Pearse Doherty: If the Minister stands over a social welfare inspector who calls to a home on two occasions and finds nobody at home and then cuts off the payment from the State which those people are dependent on to survive, then a wider debate is required. Those are the decisions being taken in some cases. I know many staff in the Department who are working under significant strain and pressure and are...