Results 141-160 of 4,849 for speaker:Diarmuid Wilson

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (23 Mar 2004)

Diarmuid Wilson: This year over €1 billion will be spent on child benefit. The number of people who qualify for carer's allowance has increased by almost 140% since the Government took office. The Bill also provides for amendments to Part VII of the Pensions Act 1990 which deals with the equal treatment of men and women in occupational pension schemes. The Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrats Government...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (23 Mar 2004)

Diarmuid Wilson: Let us cast our minds back, seeing as Senator Cummins is good at history——

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (23 Mar 2004)

Diarmuid Wilson: In 1995, the Labour-Fine Gael-Democratic Left Government was given the opportunity to put its rhetoric into practice. That famous man, Proinsias De Rossa, who is now pontificating about security and co-operation in Europe and trying to disrupt the calm waters of this country, allocated a £1.80 increase to old age pensioners. They were the people who contributed to establishing and building...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (23 Mar 2004)

Diarmuid Wilson: Over three budgets under the control of that so-called socially-minded rainbow Government, the total average increase in pensions was €2.95.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (23 Mar 2004)

Diarmuid Wilson: God help us whatever the next one will be like, in about 20 years' time.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (23 Mar 2004)

Diarmuid Wilson: I congratulate the Minister on securing €11.26 billion for her departmental budget this year. That underlines the Government's commitment to the elderly, children, the less well off——

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (23 Mar 2004)

Diarmuid Wilson: ——the sick, those unable to care for themselves and the unemployed. If I were in the position of Opposition Senators, I would be welcoming these increases, especially those in unemployment benefit, because after the next election some of them may have to sign on for it.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (23 Mar 2004)

Diarmuid Wilson: The Senator may go back further if he likes.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (23 Mar 2004)

Diarmuid Wilson: £1.80.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (23 Mar 2004)

Diarmuid Wilson: Alice in Wonderland.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (23 Mar 2004)

Diarmuid Wilson: We do not have the benefit of spin doctors in our organisation. We are able to do our own work.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (23 Mar 2004)

Diarmuid Wilson: It is Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrats policy. We are all in harmony.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (23 Mar 2004)

Diarmuid Wilson: Not like the Blueshirts.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (23 Mar 2004)

Diarmuid Wilson: €1.80 was the increase granted in 1996 by Proinsias De Rossa, the esteemed president of the Senator's party.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (23 Mar 2004)

Diarmuid Wilson: Most of them were members of the Labour Party.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

Diarmuid Wilson: I was one of the speakers yesterday who asked the Minister to revisit this decision, which affects a small but vulnerable group of people, widows and widowers who in many cases are struggling. The saving to the Department of Social and Family Affairs is small, and the decision should be revisited. Those in Opposition know well that as Senator Norris pointed out, one can retain one's own views...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

Diarmuid Wilson: I do not know whether Senator Ryan could never achieve membership of the party for particular reasons, or if he failed to get a Fianna Fáil nomination. I will not go into that, but for him to insinuate that the Minister for Social and Family Affairs is not able to fight her own battles is a bit rich.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

Diarmuid Wilson: The Minister has succeeded in getting——

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

Diarmuid Wilson: ——€11.26 billion for this year's social welfare budget, which is the highest allocation in the history of the State. For a Labour Party Senator to insinuate that the Minister for Social and Family Affairs is not able to fight her corner is somewhat rich, particularly when we cast our minds back to 1995.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

Diarmuid Wilson: In 1995, the then Minister for Social Welfare, Proinsias De Rossa, MEP, gave the old age pensioners, about whom Senator Ryan spoke so sympathetically——