Results 8,121-8,140 of 15,805 for speaker:Michael Ring

Social Welfare Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2010)

Michael Ring: The Government is giving them no chance.

Social Welfare Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2010)

Michael Ring: I ask the Minister to stop considering what his party did before the 2007 election. What it has done over the past 15 years is outrageous.

Social Welfare Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2010)

Michael Ring: We are now paying for the Minister's auction politics.

Social Welfare Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2010)

Michael Ring: On a point of order-----

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Bill 2010: Instruction to Committee (14 Dec 2010)

Michael Ring: On a point of order, we need a copy of the Minister's speech since we only got these amendments in the past few hours. Before he continues, I want a copy of his speech.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Bill 2010: Instruction to Committee (14 Dec 2010)

Michael Ring: I do not want the debate to go ahead without a copy of his speech because this is the first chance we have had to discuss these amendments.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Bill 2010: Instruction to Committee (14 Dec 2010)

Michael Ring: If we had even the notes, we could study them.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Bill 2010: Instruction to Committee (14 Dec 2010)

Michael Ring: While I might not be the best on procedure in the House, this Bill has already passed Second and Committee Stages. Today, we were to take Report and Final Stages. Several hours ago, however, we were informed new amendments were to made but not on Report Stage but as a motion to instruct committee. Opposition Members are not gods. We do not have the resources of the Department behind us....

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Bill 2010: Instruction to Committee (14 Dec 2010)

Michael Ring: I know, a Cheann Comhairle, but this is not really in order or acceptable.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Bill 2010: Instruction to Committee (14 Dec 2010)

Michael Ring: This is no way to do business or to treat Opposition spokespeople. We do not have the resources of the Government, nor the same backup facilities. It is wrong that such amendments are introduced without our having had a prior briefing on them. It is not the way to deal with legislation. I am upset because one never knows what minefields may arise in legislation. I am disappointed by the...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Bill 2010: Instruction to Committee (14 Dec 2010)

Michael Ring: It is unsatisfactory to provide this kind of information in this way. It is unfair to me, Deputy Shortall and other speakers who must pick it up off the cuff. It is unfair that we did not have this information before now. It is unsatisfactory and I am unhappy with the way the legislation has been handled. In dealing with every other Bill that has come before the House, we got briefings...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Bill 2010: Order for Report Stage (14 Dec 2010)

Michael Ring: When changes of this nature needed to be made with previous Bills, all the information on the changes would have been circulated to Members. The problem on this occasion is that we have not received such information. The problem here tonight is that everything is being done on the hoof. We need to get this sorted out. It is not satisfactory. My colleagues and I are very unhappy about...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No.2) Bill 2010: Motion to Recommit (14 Dec 2010)

Michael Ring: It is not agreed. I am unhappy with the procedure that has been adopted here this evening. I do not want to hold up this Stage of the Bill. I want to raise issues with the Minister on foot of amendments I have tabled. I am unhappy about what has happened here today. I have been in this House for a long time. I hope what has happened here this evening will never happen again. My...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Bill 2010: Report Stage (14 Dec 2010)

Michael Ring: We are all pleased that we will have our own bonds. Some pension companies in this country have a lot of money. Some of them have invested pensioners' money very badly. There is a great deal of concern among punters whose money has been spent by such companies. Many of them have lost a great deal of money. We were told not many years ago that the safest investment one could make in this...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Bill 2010: Report Stage (14 Dec 2010)

Michael Ring: When we discussed the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Bill 2010 on Committee Stage, I asked the Minister to give some reassurance to those who have money and resources in this country. I have been told that over €96 billion is being saved in this country. People are right to be worried. I asked the Minister to reassure them in relation to the post offices, in...

National Minimum Wage: Motion (14 Dec 2010)

Michael Ring: Yes.

National Minimum Wage: Motion (14 Dec 2010)

Michael Ring: The Government has made a serious mistake in reducing the minimum wage. I compliment Deputy Penrose on his speech. He is correct in saying that this does not make any political or economic sense. It is wrong to attack people on low incomes. I am afraid that the Minister will push more people onto social welfare because it will be better for them than to work. We cannot have a situation...

National Minimum Wage: Motion (14 Dec 2010)

Michael Ring: There are more than 400,000 people unemployed.

National Minimum Wage: Motion (14 Dec 2010)

Michael Ring: On the live register they are still unemployed.

National Minimum Wage: Motion (14 Dec 2010)

Michael Ring: That is grand but I will be helpful to the Minister of State also. The Minister of State, Deputy Conor Lenihan, said earlier that this seems to be very good news for the Government because the figures are down. He forgot to mention the number of graduates and others who have emigrated. In my own county and town, I have noted the number of young people who will not be home for Christmas....