Results 8,121-8,140 of 27,073 for speaker:Richard Boyd Barrett

Social Welfare Bill 2014: Instruction to Committee (3 Dec 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: We are discussing the amendments.

Social Welfare Bill 2014: Instruction to Committee (3 Dec 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I will make the point later. I am explaining that I would have preferred to have seen other amendments to deal with the issue of rent allowance, because it is an emergency.

Social Welfare Bill 2014: Instruction to Committee (3 Dec 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: To date, we have not had an emergency response from the Government and we need one urgently.

Social Welfare Bill 2014: Instruction to Committee (3 Dec 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I was not downing Ireland.

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Rents have increased by 17%

Social Welfare Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: As we discussed earlier, this Government amendment relates to defined pensions and cases of double insolvency. The Government amendment is broadly to be welcomed. It is rather technical and therefore the Minister of State should feel free to correct me if I am wrong, but, as I understand it, the amendment allows the Government to discharge moneys from the Central Fund to assist in situations...

Social Welfare Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I have another a brief point. I explained to the Minister that one of the Waterford Crystal workers died this morning. A total of 20 have died since the factory closure. The Minister said their estate or entitlements in respect of pensions would probably remain, although she was a little uncertain about it. She reckoned their widows would still be entitled to these things. I seek two...

Social Welfare Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Before I make my contribution, on a point of order, is it a mistake that my amendment No. 5 is in the next grouping rather than this one?

Social Welfare Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I am curious because amendment No. 5 is in exactly the same place.

Social Welfare Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I understand that but I do not understand why amendment No. 5 is not in the first grouping because it is more closely connected to the first grouping.

Social Welfare Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: It would be great if, during the course of the debate, I could get some sort of explanation. It does not make a lot of sense. It is in the same line space and on the same issue as the first grouping. While it is not a major issue, I am a bit confused as to why that is the case.

Social Welfare Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Both of the others mention poverty reduction and the impact of this budget in terms of poverty.

Social Welfare Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I was a little surprised earlier when, although I did not catch all she said, the Minister suggested we were not doing too badly on international comparisons when it came to poverty, or possibly poverty reduction. It would be helpful if, when she responds, the Minister repeats what she said. However, I was baffled by that statement because the evidence in front of our eyes, and the reports...

Social Welfare Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: There is no need for jabs.

Social Welfare Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I asked questions.

Social Welfare Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Come on.

Social Welfare Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: There is much to say on the Minister's comments, but we will have a chance to address them when discussing the next group of amendments, as it is very similar to this group. I still do not understand why all these amendments were not grouped together, but perhaps someone can enlighten me.

Social Welfare Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I still do not understand why these amendments were not grouped together, as they are all very similar. The Minister has left the Chamber and the Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection, Deputy Kevin Humphreys, has taken her place, so this is a good cop/bad cop scenario. I now expect a slightly more reasonable answer.

Social Welfare Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: The Minister threw around many red herrings, and that is not a serious way to conduct a debate. She suggested that we do not care about people finding employment; she cannot be serious. We all want to help people get back to work, but there is a serious argument suggesting that the poorest people in society, those depending on social welfare and the working poor, have disproportionately...

Social Welfare Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (3 Dec 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I move amendment No. 5:In page 3, between lines 10 and 11, to insert the following:“Poverty reduction report 2. The Minister shall, within two months of the passing of this Act, prepare and lay before Dáil Éireann a report on the impact the measures in this Act will have on poverty reduction.”.We are going over some of the same ground, but it is an important area and...