Results 2,241-2,260 of 4,810 for speaker:Liam Twomey

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

Liam Twomey: It would require a referendum.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

Liam Twomey: It would require a referendum.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

Liam Twomey: We do; they sit behind the Senator.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (18 Dec 2009)

Liam Twomey: I second the amendment. This is important because it means the Minister may change how this legislation affects all workers or a group of workers in the Civil Service or public service. I refer to the issue of the Taoiseach's remuneration which we discussed earlier. I thank the official from the Department of Finance for giving me additional information on this. It occurred to me afterwards...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (18 Dec 2009)

Liam Twomey: The Minister of State did not answer the questions I asked about whether a ministerial regulation was needed.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (18 Dec 2009)

Liam Twomey: I second the amendment. Will the Minister of State clarify the status of Anglo Irish Bank? Is it merely that the State is the only shareholder of a bank? Would it be the same as if the Government bought Tipperary Water, that it would simply own it as a company? Does Anglo Irish Bank have specific status in a way that the Government can manipulate it and affect how it is run?

Seanad: Business of Seanad (18 Dec 2009)

Liam Twomey: It is proposed that we complete section 2 and then take a half hour break.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2009)

Liam Twomey: Now.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2009)

Liam Twomey: I move amendment No. 13: In page 6, after line 47, to insert the following: "(8) The Minister may, by order, decrease the scale of the reduction under this section, in whole or in part, in the event of demonstrable improvements in the efficiency of delivery of individual areas of the public service.". One of the issues that emerged during the debate on Second Stage was the relationship...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2009)

Liam Twomey: Senator Callely may have misunderstood some of what I said. If one has people working for one or if one works with people, one must negotiate with them, regardless of what one may think of their points of view. A position must be reached. As it stands, Government policy in dealing with this issue is purely to make cuts. All negotiations between public sector unions and the Government are...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2009)

Liam Twomey: I oppose the section because our amendments have been ruled out of order. Fine Gael accepts there must be some cuts to the public sector payroll but the issue for us is we do not want the lower paid in the public service to be affected by the reduction. We want them to be protected and that is why I oppose the section.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (17 Dec 2009)

Liam Twomey: The Minister of State will have to round them up.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (17 Dec 2009)

Liam Twomey: Deputy Mansergh is obviously changing tack.

Seanad: Appropriation Bill 2009: Second Stage (17 Dec 2009)

Liam Twomey: I hope the Minister of State is right. If he is going there, I hope he enjoys the day. It is quite a special occasion to be at Newgrange for the winter solstice. This Bill, in many respects, is the end of year accounts detailing how much the Government spent and where the money was spent. I propose that a third Schedule be included in the Bill listing details of the Government's income for...

Seanad: Appropriation Bill 2009: Second Stage (17 Dec 2009)

Liam Twomey: I disagree. I will break with precedent and urge Senator Boyle to continue.

Seanad: Appropriation Bill 2009: Second Stage (17 Dec 2009)

Liam Twomey: What is the Chair's opinion?

Seanad: Appropriation Bill 2009: Second Stage (17 Dec 2009)

Liam Twomey: The section refers to the reduction in excise duty on alcohol. The Minister wants publicans to reduce the cost of alcohol immediately. Is it correct that if they do not pass on the reduction immediately, he will revoke this measure?

Seanad: Appropriation Bill 2009: Second Stage (17 Dec 2009)

Liam Twomey: Does the Minister support a refund of excise duty to wholesalers, considering they had paid excise duty at the previous rate? Publicans will reduce the price. Does the Minister of State support a refund for wholesalers? This is a significant industry and a number of jobs will be put at risk if wholesalers are expected to carry an overdraft to pay the excise duty on behalf of the State. I...

Seanad: Appropriation Bill 2009: Second Stage (17 Dec 2009)

Liam Twomey: This is a difficult issue and I had hoped we could pass the Bill without a division but the Minister of State should clarify this for wholesalers. Separately, I refer to the carbon tax. County Wexford has significant industries and a major hospital but they have no access to natural gas. However, they will be hit with a carbon tax, which will mean they will be unable to compete with...

Seanad: Appropriation Bill 2009: Second Stage (17 Dec 2009)

Liam Twomey: We at least need Government support to ensure Bord Gáis moves in that direction because the company has shown no interest in providing natural gas to Wexford town. It will build a pipeline to the power generating station near New Ross but that is as far as the company will go.