Results 2,421-2,440 of 11,861 for speaker:Brian Hayes

Seanad: Budget 2013: Statements (5 Dec 2012)

Brian Hayes: That is what we want to achieve, but it will take time to secure investment from them. We live in a highly globalised society and money flows in and out as quickly as one looks at it. No one will invest in the country as long as the sovereign is risky. During the past 12 months people overseas could see Ireland was solving its problems and getting to grips with the public finances. The...

Seanad: Budget 2013: Statements (5 Dec 2012)

Brian Hayes: Those slightly older who can afford to pay should pay a little more.

Seanad: Budget 2013: Statements (5 Dec 2012)

Brian Hayes: I fully accept it. I am only here by invitation and have no standing in this House.

Seanad: Budget 2013: Statements (5 Dec 2012)

Brian Hayes: A more considered debate would be very useful, in which I would have no difficulty in participating. I thank Senators for their contributions.

Seanad: Budget 2013: Statements (5 Dec 2012)

Brian Hayes: Yes.

Seanad: Budget 2013: Statements (5 Dec 2012)

Brian Hayes: I thank Senators for their contributions. I sometimes miss this House. At the next general election, voters may decide to chuck me out of the Lower House.

Seanad: Budget 2013: Statements (5 Dec 2012)

Brian Hayes: We will leave that up to the public to decide. This has been a very detailed debate. It is fair to state that if we engage in a more reflective debate at a later date, we can discuss the various issues raised in greater detail. One of the aspects of the budget about which I am most proud - Senator Aideen Hayden referred to this - relates to something on which many of us have been...

Seanad: Budget 2013: Statements (5 Dec 2012)

Brian Hayes: We are going to pay, but we are seeking to restructure the promissory notes which are part of the appalling legacy we inherited. There should be no doubt but that the Government is extremely concerned about this matter and that our diplomats and officials across a number of Departments are working on it.

Seanad: Budget 2013: Statements (5 Dec 2012)

Brian Hayes: As the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, indicated in the Dáil earlier, in the past three years some ¤2.5 billion has been taken out of the public sector pay and pensions bill. In 2009 the bill was ¤20 billion, which figure has been reduced to ¤17.5 billion. People refer to tens of millions, but look at what we have achieved in the context of the...

Seanad: Budget 2013: Statements (5 Dec 2012)

Brian Hayes: Not one day's work was lost to such problems. That is an extraordinary achievement by both the people in general and by those in the public sector. I have had the opportunity to address a number of international fora and have been asked how we achieved this without strikes taking place. There is a need to recognise that there has been no industrial rest. The Minister for Public Expenditure...

Seanad: Budget 2013: Statements (5 Dec 2012)

Brian Hayes: Sinn Féin opposed the increase in VAT from 21% to 23% in the previous budget. Effectively, this brought in an additional ¤500 million to ¤700 million during the current year. During the debate on budget 2012 Senator David Cullinane informed me that Sinn Féin would reduce the amount taken in through VAT. We have actually increased the amount taken in this year, despite the rise in the...

Seanad: Budget 2013: Statements (5 Dec 2012)

Brian Hayes: With respect, I had hoped that the outcome of the general election in 2011 would lead to the development of honest politics.

Seanad: Budget 2013: Statements (5 Dec 2012)

Brian Hayes: I had also hoped that politicians would stop engaging in tomfoolery, stop keeping up the pretence and instead tell the people the truth. The truth of the matter is that we must reduce the deficit. Some of the Independent Senators questioned the impact of the budget. We must get money back into the country. As long as the sovereign remains risky - - - - -

Seanad: Budget 2013: Statements (5 Dec 2012)

Brian Hayes: It is.

Seanad: Budget 2013: Statements (5 Dec 2012)

Brian Hayes: It is in respect of the economists which we were asked to take on.

Seanad: Budget 2013: Statements (5 Dec 2012)

Brian Hayes: It was related to the guarantee.

Seanad: Budget 2013: Statements (5 Dec 2012)

Brian Hayes: The problem is that they would.

Seanad: Budget 2013: Statements (5 Dec 2012)

Brian Hayes: It remains.

Seanad: Budget 2013: Statements (5 Dec 2012)

Brian Hayes: I thank the Cathaoirleach for this opportunity to come before the Members to make a contribution on budget 2013, which was presented by my colleagues, the Minister, Deputy Howlin, and the Minister, Deputy Noonan, to Dáil Éireann earlier. As I have said previously in this House, a precondition for balanced economic growth is the sustainability of our public finances and the Government is...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes (5 Dec 2012)

Brian Hayes: Flood relief services are provided by the Office of Public Works, either directly through its own resources or in conjunction with local authorities, under the following main headings: 1. Major Capital Works Schemes, 2. Minor Coastal and Non-Coastal Schemes, 3. Arterial Drainage Maintenance, 4. Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme, 5. Hydrometric data collection...