Results 1,661-1,680 of 49,836 for speaker:Stephen Donnelly

Leaders' Questions (24 Oct 2013)

Stephen Donnelly: When did I say that?

Leaders' Questions (24 Oct 2013)

Stephen Donnelly: The Tánaiste is the only one who cares about it. What sanctimonious waffle.

Leaders' Questions (24 Oct 2013)

Stephen Donnelly: I will.

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (24 Oct 2013)

Stephen Donnelly: I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for the opportunity to contribute to what can only be described as a farce of parliamentary democracy in this country. This is a lousy Bill. We all know that tough decisions must be made and that the deficit must be closed, but that is not why this is a lousy Bill. It is a lousy Bill because it does not represent tough decisions. In January last year, a...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (24 Oct 2013)

Stephen Donnelly: To ask that group of people to contribute to the deficit reduction of the country would have been a tough decision and a leadership decision. Even to find out who owns the bond would have been useful because it was probably brought on the secondary markets for a fraction of the price. That would have been leadership but that is not what happened. What happened instead was this Bill to...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (25 Oct 2013)

Stephen Donnelly: Honest to God, I cannot get my head around the Labour Party supporting a second cut to maternity benefit. The net saving will be approximately €20 million. Let us put that in context. Add together automatic pay rises in the public sector since the collapse and the approximate €700 million for increments in the budget next year. Compare that with €20 million. As the...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (25 Oct 2013)

Stephen Donnelly: Research that I read last night asserted that 18 out of every 20 new jobs created were being taken up by men. The Minister may find it funny, but I cannot get my head around-----

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (25 Oct 2013)

Stephen Donnelly: If it is, the Central Statistics Office is issuing made-up numbers, but I would be more than happy to debate it with the Minister.

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (25 Oct 2013)

Stephen Donnelly: This is bad economic and social policy. The Minister knows better. I am astounded that she is proposing this.

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (25 Oct 2013)

Stephen Donnelly: I will be quick. This is discriminatory. I spoke earlier about the discrimination and inherent bias against women. The Minister called that a fallacy. I have the figures. They show that in the past year there were 20,000 fewer men on the live register and 790 fewer women. This year 50% more women than men will emigrate. This is happening. This is the result of Government policy. This...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (25 Oct 2013)

Stephen Donnelly: Due to the serious and blatantly discriminatory nature of these sections, under Standing Order 71, I propose that the vote be taken by other than electronic means.

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (25 Oct 2013)

Stephen Donnelly: I have mixed feelings about the mortgage interest supplement. I have seen it used to great effect in a few cases to keep people in their homes for a small number of months while they recovered financially and could get on with their lives. Similarly, I have seen it used to assist people in cases in which there was no real prospect of their recovering financially. In such cases, it is...

Leaders' Questions (5 Nov 2013)

Stephen Donnelly: Last week's web summit demonstrated the huge opportunities for Ireland in digital technology. It is very important for our economic recovery and future prosperity that we are a global leader in technology and, critically, are recognised as such internationally. Unfortunately, a very important piece of Government policy is putting this at risk - the continued reduction in funding to third...

Leaders' Questions (5 Nov 2013)

Stephen Donnelly: With respect, I have had two minutes as opposed to the 15 afforded to others.

Leaders' Questions (5 Nov 2013)

Stephen Donnelly: I beg your indulgence for 30 seconds.

Leaders' Questions (5 Nov 2013)

Stephen Donnelly: We cannot aspire to being a global leader in technology while halving the level of funding per student. I hope the Taoiseach agrees. He got a ride in Elon Musk's car to the summit and I am sure he heard him say that for technology companies, there must be engineers. Does the Taoiseach agree with Mr. Musk that for Ireland to continue to build its reputation in this area, we must have...

Leaders' Questions (5 Nov 2013)

Stephen Donnelly: I thank the Taoiseach for taking the matter seriously. I urge him to examine the issue in the current budget. It is one of the issues that is going below the radar in this country, that year-on-year we are eroding the funding to third level institutions. The presidents of those universities are saying loudly, clearly and publicly that something must change. Dr. Hugh Brady has described it...

Leaders' Questions (5 Nov 2013)

Stephen Donnelly: I said I would be talking to the Taoiseach later today and asked what message I should give. I was asked to say that this employer is continuing to hire some of our good graduates in spite of Government policy. The person said that investment is required and that we need more connection between small businesses and universities. The universities cannot continue to fuel the future economic...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: National Risk Assessment (5 Nov 2013)

Stephen Donnelly: 108. To ask the Taoiseach his plans for ensuring that the new national risk assessment which is to be published annually will include risks faced by the country in the areas of unemployment, emigration, poverty, income inequality, early school leaving, health inequalities, gender inequality and personal over-indebtedness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46401/13]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Insurance Issues (5 Nov 2013)

Stephen Donnelly: 515. To ask the Minister for Social Protection regarding PRSI liabilities on unearned income, as introduced in the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013, if this measure will require those with unearned income to make a self-assessed return to Revenue; if liabilities will be charged on gross or net income, for example, in the case of an accidental landlord with a buy-to-let property, where...