Results 1,641-1,660 of 4,414 for speaker:Sean Barrett

Seanad: Renewable Energy: Motion (12 Mar 2014)

Sean Barrett: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy O’Dowd. Looking at the Government’s amendment first, if I may, the second last paragraph states that the Government "welcomes the imminent publication of a Green Paper on Energy Policy that will, inter alia, further develop and build out a comprehensive and progressive suite of policies that clearly state how our renewable energy targets...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Apr 2014)

Sean Barrett: I echo the sympathies expressed to the McAughtry and Kelly families and, in their time of sadness, thank the McFadden family and the people of Athlone for receiving so many Members of the Oireachtas last week. I compliment the Government on today being the first day of the abolition of the travel tax. The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Varadkar, and the Minister of State...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Apr 2014)

Sean Barrett: I thank the Cathaoirleach for his guidance. I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that No. 11 be taken today.

Seanad: Higher Education and Research (Consolidation and Improvement) Bill 2014: First Stage (1 Apr 2014)

Sean Barrett: I move: That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to consolidate the Irish higher education and research sector so as to ensure a more efficient, responsible and effective structure for delivering quality education, research and knowledge resources to the Irish people.I thank the Leader for agreeing to this. I request that leave be granted to introduce a Bill to provide for...

Seanad: Higher Education and Research (Consolidation and Improvement) Bill 2014: First Stage (1 Apr 2014)

Sean Barrett: At 3 p.m. tomorrow, Wednesday, 2 April.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (1 Apr 2014)

Sean Barrett: There is an item that we are not taking tomorrow. The Order of Business for tomorrow had to be changed because amendments from the Department of Health on the smoking in cars legislation are not ready. Therefore, we do have a slot if there is willingness on the Government side to take Report Stage of the fines legislation tomorrow. This would allow us to consider these matters overnight...

Seanad: Fines (Payment and Recovery) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (1 Apr 2014)

Sean Barrett: Social thought and studies about imprisonment in Ireland, and the damage it does to people, show that imprisoning people who have trouble paying a television licence, for example, is an extremely expensive and disruptive way of dealing with matters. I liked the Minister of State's emphasis on the attachment of earnings and deductions from social welfare payments. I am concerned about the...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Apr 2014)

Sean Barrett: On behalf of Senator Feargal Quinn, I request that No. 27, Food Provenance Bill 2013, be removed from the Order Paper. The Senator is engaging in further research and may resubmit the Bill. He would appreciate it if the Leader could arrange to remove the Bill from the Order Paper.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Apr 2014)

Sean Barrett: I apologise. I refer to the need for a debate on policing and An Garda Síochána in the light of events including the Morris report, the Smithwick report which we did not have a chance to debate, the success of the new arrangements in Northern Ireland, the resignation of the Garda Commissioner and the welcome resumption of recruitment at the Garda College in Templemore. I ask...

Seanad: Food Provenance Bill 2013: Leave to Withdraw (2 Apr 2014)

Sean Barrett: I move: That, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, leave be given to withdraw the Food Provenance Bill 2013.Senator Feargal Quinn is the author of this motion. He wishes to conduct more research and may resubmit the Bill at a later stage.

Seanad: Higher Education and Research (Consolidation and Improvement) Bill 2014: Second Stage (2 Apr 2014)

Sean Barrett: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit, Deputy Ciarán Cannon. Unfortunately, the last time we were seated together was at the funeral of former Deputy Nicky McFadden in Athlone last week. It is a pleasure to welcome the Minister of State and thank those who helped in preparing this Bill, including Dr. Charles Clarke, Ms Ursula Ní Choill, the staff of the Bills Office, the...

Seanad: Higher Education and Research (Consolidation and Improvement) Bill 2014: Second Stage (2 Apr 2014)

Sean Barrett: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Higher Education and Research (Consolidation and Improvement) Bill 2014: Second Stage (2 Apr 2014)

Sean Barrett: I thank everybody here for their kind, informed and generous responses. As the Minister of State has said, this is the start of something which is very much needed post-troika Ireland; this matter is one of the key things that we must address. Today's debate follows a great tradition. I recall that Edmund Burke, a politician in the UK Parliament, worked so hard to keep what he called...

Seanad: Higher Education and Research (Consolidation and Improvement) Bill 2014: Second Stage (2 Apr 2014)

Sean Barrett: Tuesday.

Seanad: Participation in Sport: Motion (2 Apr 2014)

Sean Barrett: I had a clash of fixtures this evening as awards are currently being handed out for service to sports. The international rugby referee, Mr. John West, is one of the guests at the awards event and asked me to pass on his regards to the Minister, his former pupil. There have been many great sporting moments. The highlight of the Queen's successful visit, which the President will reciprocate...

Seanad: Participation in Sport: Motion (2 Apr 2014)

Sean Barrett: Perhaps through rezoning.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Apr 2014)

Sean Barrett: I join Senator Norris in wishing every success to President Higgins on his state visit to the UK and to Queen Elizabeth. It was an emotional moment at 12.22 this afternoon to hear Amhrán na bhFiann being played by the band of the Irish Guards in Windsor. It brought hope of better times to replace so much sadness in Anglo-Irish relations. A most useful meeting of the North/South...

Seanad: Building Control (Carbon Monoxide Detection) Bill 2014: Second Stage (8 Apr 2014)

Sean Barrett: I welcome the Minister to the House and Ms Honor Heffernan to the Visitors Gallery. I hope we will be singing off the same sheet by the time this debate concludes. It is an honour to second Senator Quinn's proposal. He has a proud record of introducing legislation of this kind. We have already debated his proposals on the use of defibrillators and he also supported the ban on smoking in...

Seanad: Fines (Payment and Recovery) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (8 Apr 2014)

Sean Barrett: I second the amendment. I welcome the Minister of State. He may recall that Senator Michael D'Arcy was concerned that some pretty objectionable types turned up to do the collecting in this case. Senator Feargal Quinn's amendment seeks to protect the citizen. I think Senator D'Arcy was concerned about the arrival of a gang on farm properties. I think his version was that it would be...

Seanad: Fines (Payment and Recovery) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (8 Apr 2014)

Sean Barrett: I second the amendment. Senator Quinn makes an important point. For example, the property tax can be paid through deductions from earnings. We are trying to create employment. The employment transaction is being continually burdened with things that are at a far remove from the important employment decision which we hope will be taken positively. We are delighted with the 61,000...