Results 1,541-1,560 of 4,810 for speaker:Liam Twomey

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Statements (Resumed). (21 Feb 2008)

Liam Twomey: The Senator can look at the situation in 1922 if she wants to——

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Statements (Resumed). (21 Feb 2008)

Liam Twomey: ——but I would be happier to look at the situation in 2008 and what will happen in the coming years.

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Statements (Resumed). (21 Feb 2008)

Liam Twomey: Talking down to people about the situation in 1997 is not the way to deal with this matter. There are parents——

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Statements (Resumed). (21 Feb 2008)

Liam Twomey: ——whose children are being denied an opportunity to mix with other children, get into mainstream schools and have the emotional and psychological love of their parents, siblings and friends. That is what is being denied. The Senator should not be so arrogant and talk about the situation in 1997.

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Statements (Resumed). (21 Feb 2008)

Liam Twomey: We are trying to get services for these children. The Minister should come out and talk. She should not send people on to radio stations to say they will deliver this and then vote against it in the Houses of the Oireachtas.

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Statements (Resumed). (21 Feb 2008)

Liam Twomey: The Minister came into the House today and spoke many fine words but when push comes to shove, she hides behind civil servants. The "lingering animosity" statement made by a former Minister for Education should be explained to this House because it blames civil servants for what is a Government issue.

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Statements (Resumed). (21 Feb 2008)

Liam Twomey: That is what the Senator should do.

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Statements (Resumed). (21 Feb 2008)

Liam Twomey: That is not true.

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Statements (Resumed). (21 Feb 2008)

Liam Twomey: I respect what he is saying because he is making some good points but he should not try to make out that my contribution is making a political football of this.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Mar 2008)

Liam Twomey: It is interesting that the Bill is now going through the Seanad when the Taoiseach seems to have accepted that it is no longer unpatriotic to talk down the economy because he has acknowledged there are serious difficulties in the economy this year and into 2009. When we vote on this Bill tomorrow, we will be voting to bring an end to the period in Irish life known as the Celtic tiger era....

Seanad: Finance Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Mar 2008)

Liam Twomey: We may have to wait until Report Stage before we can consider some of the other points made by the Minister in his opening speech. He spoke about making changes to employee share ownership plans and personal pension schemes. The value of private pensions has decreased dramatically over the last 12 months, which is affecting those who are planning to retire over the next few years. I have...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Mar 2008)

Liam Twomey: That is wrong.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Mar 2008)

Liam Twomey: The backbenchers mouth off a bit and that is about it.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Mar 2008)

Liam Twomey: Can we do something for them before they die?

Seanad: Finance Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage. (13 Mar 2008)

Liam Twomey: Yesterday I spoke about people installing geothermal or solar panels on their houses. Instead of needing to apply for a grant they should be able to get tax relief. When they apply for grant they need to submit the C2 number of the installing contractor. It would be less bureaucratic than giving a grant to people who want to make changes to their lifestyles and improve the environment. It...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage. (13 Mar 2008)

Liam Twomey: I move recommendation No. 9: In page 13, line 22, column 3, to delete "€900" and substitute "€1,540". The amendment seeks an increase in the home carer's tax credit. This issue was debated at length in the Lower House. It is Government policy to encourage both persons in a household into employment. Down through the years, tax reliefs have been altered to ensure households with double...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage. (13 Mar 2008)

Liam Twomey: As the Minister and I differ only in respect of the timeframe, I will withdraw the recommendation.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage. (13 Mar 2008)

Liam Twomey: I move recommendation No. 10: In page 15, line 25, to delete "€2,000" and substitute "€3,000". The issues dealt with in these amendments have been also discussed at length in the Lower House. As a result of some of the changes introduced at budget time, people who are renting are being disadvantaged when compared with first time buyers or those receiving mortgage relief. The amendment...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage. (13 Mar 2008)

Liam Twomey: I move recommendation No. 12: In page 15, before section 8, to insert the following new section: 8.—Part 30 of the Principal Act shall be amended by inserting a new section: "785.—A person who reaches retirement under a Defined Contribution Pension scheme shall from 1st March 2008 not be required to purchase an Annuity unless they do not have an income equivalent to a Non-Contributory...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage. (13 Mar 2008)

Liam Twomey: The are three groups involved, namely, the self-employed who own their pension funds, those in the public service and Civil Service whose pensions are indexed to their final pay, and employees in the PAYE system who do not own their pensions funds and whose benefits are subject to the whims of what is happening on the stock market on the day they retire. Furthermore, the latter group cannot...