Results 9,921-9,940 of 26,902 for speaker:Richard Boyd Barrett

Finance Bill 2015: Report Stage (Resumed) (25 Nov 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: This amendment simply asks that any budgetary measures that this or any other Government adopts would be assessed for the impact or effect on the most vulnerable sectors of our society. It would ensure that no budgetary measure would contribute to greater levels of inequality. I do not really see how anybody could say "No" to that. Surely any Government, regardless of colour or stripe,...

Northern Ireland: Statements (25 Nov 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I also want to condemn the petty, point-scoring approach of the Government and Fianna Fáil in dealing with this serious matter. This is not about political point-scoring. Rather, it is a serious assessment of whether the Stormont House Agreement offers a way forward and a better, more prosperous and sustainable future for the North. That being said, however, let us consider the...

Finance Bill 2015: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (25 Nov 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Before the adjournment, I was concluding my comments on this amendment. To summarise, all that is being asked for here is that our budgets should be measured by the degree to which they contribute to equality or greater inequality. It should be obvious why that is a worthy and important thing to do. Recent years, in particular, have seen some of the most vulnerable sectors of our society...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (25 Nov 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: 39. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will establish a dedicated unit focused on ensuring that all farms make greater use of native forestry as a climate change mitigation measure, to assist Ireland in meeting European Union emission reduction targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41392/15]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Credit Union Sector: Discussion (25 Nov 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I thank the delegates for their presentation. I did not really have any doubts about the case they made on the credit union legislation. If I did, they completely persuaded me as to the merits of their case. Given all that has happened, it is really quite extraordinary that the case they are making is not having a greater impact on the Government. Lending is risky but, quite obviously,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Credit Union Sector: Discussion (25 Nov 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: On the social housing side of it, Mr. Johnson seems to be saying that the Government has not lived up to the deal. Is it correct that the restrictions on credit union investments are part of this inappropriate regulation that is blocking development?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Credit Union Sector: Discussion (25 Nov 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Does Mr. Johnson have an explanation? The thing that seems to be thrown around is the management of risk, which baffles me somewhat. Obviously, risk has to be managed, but the record would imply that, in general, the credit union movement has managed the risk pretty well. It did not require big bailouts. Only a few credit unions got into trouble - one in particular - and a few others had...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Credit Union Sector: Discussion (25 Nov 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: That is true.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Credit Union Sector: Discussion (25 Nov 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: One might suspect that the commercial banks would feel very threatened by the credit unions. I can see why. I hope that threat is realised because I trust the credit unions more with banking. Is that force at work? Are the banks frightened that if the credit unions expand their service offering it will seriously challenge the for-profit banking sector?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Credit Union Sector: Discussion (25 Nov 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: The credit unions have my support. Sadly, I did not get speaking time on tonight's motion, but I will certainly vote for it. I hope we can advance this struggle towards a successful conclusion. I am bemused by the social housing issue. I have made that point. I hope that can be advanced. On the issue of the debit card, will the witnesses elaborate on what obstacles have been put in...

Planning and Development (Urgent Social Housing Supply) Policy Directive 2015: Motion (26 Nov 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: First of all, it is utterly outrageous that we have only a short time to discuss this emergency matter. It is absolutely disgraceful. Second, this is yet another false dawn from the Minister, Deputy Alan Kelly, when it comes to social housing. It is a PR stunt and a misguided, madcap plan. The Minister of State is issuing a directive to tell councils something they already know. All he...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (26 Nov 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: 14. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will report on the latest meetings he has had regarding the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership; the measures he will take to ensure information on negotiations and developments in the partnership are more publicly available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41746/15]

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Job Losses (26 Nov 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: 29. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when he will implement changes to ensure that no other workers lose their jobs in the manner in which the Clerys workers lost their jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41745/15]

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committee Meetings (1 Dec 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: 10. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Construction 2020, Housing, Planning and Mortgage Arrears last met. [40154/15]

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committee Meetings (1 Dec 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: This question relates to the Cabinet sub-committee on the Construction 2020 strategy and housing and mortgage arrears. I put it to the Taoiseach that there probably is no sub-committee of the Cabinet of which he is a member that is guilty of a more spectacular failure and gross incompetence than this one and all those involved in it. The result of its endeavours or lack thereof is the worst...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committee Meetings (1 Dec 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I know there are. I did not interrupt any of the previous speakers.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committee Meetings (1 Dec 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: You did not interrupt Deputy Micheál Martin who spoke for ten minutes.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committee Meetings (1 Dec 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Give me one more minute, a Cheann Comhairle.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committee Meetings (1 Dec 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: And I am asking-----

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Cabinet Committee Meetings (1 Dec 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Yes. I am asking whether this committee is responsible for the misguided policy of believing that leasing from the private sector in general is capable of dealing with the problem when it self-evidently is not. This is something the Taoiseach repeated this morning and I heard it on Leaders' Questions. How can he possibly state that delivering private housing will provide social housing or...