Results 781-800 of 8,245 for speaker:Bríd Smith

Pension Equality and Fairness: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (7 Dec 2016)

Bríd Smith: I welcome the motion tabled by Sinn Féin. It is timely, given the recent attacks by Mr. Denis O'Brien and Mr. Dermot Desmond on the pensions of workers in Independent News and Media. I express the solidarity of the AAA-PBP to those workers and the thousands of others whose pension benefits and rights to a decent pension are now being questioned and attacked as unrealistic. I note the...

Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (7 Dec 2016)

Bríd Smith: I find it ironic that the Minister tells us this Bill is an essential ingredient in the plan to tackle the worst housing crisis in the history of the State. The Minister claims the Bill will address the key problems which have caused the housing crisis. What are those key issues and what are the solutions? The Government states that if this Bill goes through it will fast-track planning...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (7 Dec 2016)

Bríd Smith: 45. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the rail network and the necessary funding to ensure the continued operation nationally of all existing passenger lines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38840/16]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport Provision (7 Dec 2016)

Bríd Smith: 55. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the funding of Bus Éireann and Irish Rail in view of possible industrial relations disputes in both companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38841/16]

Social and Affordable Housing Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (8 Dec 2016)

Bríd Smith: I welcome the Bill, which proposes some very welcome measures, for example, the implementation of the Kenny report, the imposition of a limit on the cost of land purchased under compulsory purchase orders and the limiting of rent increases to rises in the consumer price index. I also welcome the proposed change to the definition of "landlord" to include vulture funds and real estate...

Social and Affordable Housing Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (8 Dec 2016)

Bríd Smith: -----6,000 people on the homeless list, more than 2,000 children in homeless accommodation and countless thousands of people facing the threat of eviction is the policies pursued by Governments. While it is welcome that Deputy Jan O'Sullivan has introduced a Bill that confronts the rights of property owners, it was not long ago that Deputy Alan Kelly, as the Minister with responsibility...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (8 Dec 2016)

Bríd Smith: 27. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the CETA trade talks and their current status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36270/16]

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions (Resumed): European Defence Action Plan (13 Dec 2016)

Bríd Smith: This question relates to Ireland's neutrality and asks whether the Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe, or the Taoiseach is about to reconfirm or has reconfirmed Ireland's neutral position to the European Union and the European Commission in light of the Commission's recent proposal for a €5 billion defence fund, and will he make a statement on the matter. This will be viewed as a serious...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions (Resumed): European Defence Action Plan (13 Dec 2016)

Bríd Smith: It is interesting that the European Union issued a press release from the meeting the Minister of State referred to on 30 November in which it stated that this big defence plan would "reverse billions of euro in cuts and other actions, supporting Member States' more efficient spending in joint defence capabilities". The EU is welcoming a reversal in cuts to its military budgets while at the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions (Resumed): European Defence Action Plan (13 Dec 2016)

Bríd Smith: Do I get to come back?

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions (Resumed): European Defence Action Plan (13 Dec 2016)

Bríd Smith: The joint French-German paper calls for a new European security contract. In this, NATO wants all other members to increase their spending to 2% of GDP. I hope the Minister will answer my question fully, rather than skate around it. Does he not agree that this would fundamentally change the character of the European Union from a supposed peace and economic project to a project that is more...

Courts Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (13 Dec 2016)

Bríd Smith: I move amendment No. 4:In page 5, line 34, to delete "in."." and substitute the following: "in. (2B) In any proceedings brought by a mortgagee seeking an order for repossession of land which is the principal private residence of a mortgagor or principal primary residence of a tenant of the mortgagor, the court shall—(a) adjourn proceedings for a period of at least 12 months, (b)...

Courts Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (13 Dec 2016)

Bríd Smith: I accept that amendment No. 6 is flawed in that it does not specifically state, as amendment No. 4 does, that it relates to a principle private residence rather than an office block or an hotel. I accept that those few words are missing but the amendment is intended in the same context and spirit as the previous amendment. It also dovetails with Deputy Healy's amendment. The Minister of...

Courts Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (13 Dec 2016)

Bríd Smith: I move amendment No. 6:In page 8, between lines 26 and 27, to insert the following:“Amendment of Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 20139. The Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2013 is amended by the insertion, after section 4, of the following:“Protection of tenants on repossessed land 4A.(1) Where a mortgagee goes into possession of land of a mortgagor, or appoints a...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: European Security Strategy (13 Dec 2016)

Bríd Smith: 38. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on the joint German French paper calling for a new European security contract. [39830/16]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Military Neutrality (13 Dec 2016)

Bríd Smith: 55. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if there are any implications for Ireland's neutrality as a result of recent joint European Union defence plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39829/16]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Funding (13 Dec 2016)

Bríd Smith: 254. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if there are limits placed on the amount local authorities may borrow from the Housing Finance Agency for the purpose of building social housing. [39991/16]

Questions on Proposed Legislation (14 Dec 2016)

Bríd Smith: As early as last month, Simon Coveney said in an interview in the Cork Examinerthat this Government will not be introducing rent controls.

Questions on Proposed Legislation (14 Dec 2016)

Bríd Smith: Pardon me - the Irish Examiner; I am old fashioned. In a very short space of time, therefore, we see a Damascene conversion, which is welcome, but St. Paul went the whole nine yards and became a Christian. The Minister, Deputy Simon Coveney, falls well short of sainthood in these proposals in finally introducing the discussion around rent controls, but we have not seen the amendments. When...

Questions on Proposed Legislation (14 Dec 2016)

Bríd Smith: Finally, it is coming under pressure to do something about it but it is not going far enough. We will introduce a Bill tomorrow that will go the whole nine yards and, if it is passed, will see rent controls linked to the CPI. We will bring in other measures also.