Results 961-980 of 4,414 for speaker:Sean Barrett

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (14 May 2013)

Sean Barrett: I should have added that the fear among the lawyers with whom I discussed this measure is that there will now be ingenious transactions. The licence will not have a value but it will come in a box which will be worth something. It is not beyond the ability of the legal profession to design such mechanisms. However, we have had the discussion and I thank the Minister of State.

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (14 May 2013)

Sean Barrett: I move amendment No. 31: In page 23, between lines 6 and 7, to insert the following:"(j) to encourage investment by new market entrants in vehicles and services and to issue new licences to ensure that investment is not diverted into the purchase of licences from incumbents.".Advertently or inadvertently, the danger in what we are doing is that we will create a scarcity value for the licences...

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (14 May 2013)

Sean Barrett: The barrier that the Minister has created costs a new entrant 91% more for the vehicle and 27% more to run it. If his officials do not understand its impact by now then it is a poor look out for new entrants to any sector that the Government seeks to regulate. The provision has acted as a massive barrier because no general category taxi licence has been issued since 2010. One cannot enter...

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (14 May 2013)

Sean Barrett: Could I respond on amendment No. 34? Rental of vehicles is a financial transaction normally regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland and the financial services authority. Why are we regulating the rental of vehicles? What is the rationale for that? I refer to the Minister's amendment No. 34 which refers to the regulation of the rental or leasing of vehicles. Those are normal commercial...

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (14 May 2013)

Sean Barrett: Can I reply? The television programme has obsessed the Minister of State. The reports of the Goodbody committee-----

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (14 May 2013)

Sean Barrett: -----and of Paul Gorecki tell the real facts. I would not base economic policy on one television programme.

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (14 May 2013)

Sean Barrett: It is not being pressed.

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (14 May 2013)

Sean Barrett: I was hopeful that would be of assistance because it states that "A person shall not drive or use a mechanically propelled vehicle in a public place for the carriage of persons for reward unless the person holds a licence to drive a small public service vehicle ...". There are two kinds, as the Minister of State said, but as it is worded it states that one cannot drive a bus unless one has a...

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (14 May 2013)

Sean Barrett: Go raibh maith agat. I will not press those amendments.

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (14 May 2013)

Sean Barrett: I thank the Minister of State. On amendment No. 66, my intention was to praise the Minister of State. I was at the meetings of the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications attended by the new chairman of Shannon Airport and the new chairman of the Port of Cork. It is a suggestion this appears to work and if the Minister of State thinks it is a good idea, it might also apply in this...

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (14 May 2013)

Sean Barrett: I will not move the amendments. I just wish to put it on the record that if this Bill is passed, it is a sad day for Irish economic policy.

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (14 May 2013)

Sean Barrett: That is correct. Some 96% of the people cited in the Goodbody report said they found deregulation had benefited them. On incomes, it was found that incomes were lower than the average industrial wage but higher than the minimum wage. On safety, there was no dimension because that is regulated by the insurance industry and the per kilometre charge for driving a taxi is the same as for any...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2013)

Sean Barrett: I welcome the Minister for Health's welcome for the McCarthy report on health insurance which was published yesterday. The current health insurance system is not sustainable, as both gentlemen said. It is losing members, contrary to the Government's objective to have a universal health insurance system in operation in a few years. The current system is protectionist and is not cost...

Seanad: Wind Energy Guidelines: Statements (15 May 2013)

Sean Barrett: I echo Senator Keane's sentiments in favour of Senators Kelly and Whelan for their interest in this area. As always, I welcome to the House the Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan. I share the environmental concerns that have moved the Senators to introduce the Bill and they undoubtedly will deal with them. However, it raises concerns that windmills are noisy and they disturb...

Seanad: OECD Review of Irish Pensions System: Statements (15 May 2013)

Sean Barrett: I welcome the Minister. I was delighted that Senator van Turnhout quoted Mr. Frank Field, who has really interesting thoughts on the whole area of social expenditure. He is a most valuable member of parliament on the neighbouring island. I thank the Minister for bringing the OECD report to us. This is a problem we have been neglecting. The late Minister, Mr. Séamus Brennan tried on...

Seanad: Seanad Bill 2013: Second Stage (15 May 2013)

Sean Barrett: Shame.

Seanad: Seanad Bill 2013: Second Stage (15 May 2013)

Sean Barrett: That is what they want.

Seanad: Seanad Bill 2013: Second Stage (15 May 2013)

Sean Barrett: I welcome the Minister. I thank Senators Zappone, Quinn and Crown for their initiative. I represent 55,000 people. I do not feel the slightest bit undemocratic. I represent them under the 1937 Constitution, and do so proudly. The proposal to abolish the Seanad removes checks, balances and scrutiny. What kind of Government does not like checks, balances and scrutiny? I would like to...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 May 2013)

Sean Barrett: I wish to discuss the report by Senators Carl Levin and John McCain on the taxation habits of the Apple corporation in Cork. This is an extremely serious report of approximately 40,000 words and 152 detailed footnotes and references and it requires a response from us. I will give the House a flavour of it presently. The Fiscal Advisory Council should examine the issues involved such as how...

Seanad: Decade of Centenaries Programme of Commemorations: Statements (22 May 2013)

Sean Barrett: Yes and Senator Norris will speak first if that is agreeable.