Results 2,421-2,440 of 4,363 for speaker:Arthur Morgan

Social Welfare Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2007)

Arthur Morgan: Of course, the Government worked with the construction sector for whatever reason. However, it ignored all other opportunities and let the economy go on automatic pilot.

Social Welfare Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2007)

Arthur Morgan: This is relevant because if proper economic management was in place for the past ten years, we would have enough money to extend the fuel allowance and many other welfare payments.

Social Welfare Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2007)

Arthur Morgan: I move amendment No. 4: In page 3, before section 2, to insert the following new section: 2.—The Minister shall, within the next three months, report on the direct provision scheme for asylum seekers; highlight the hardship it is causing that group, and report to Dáil Éireann on the implications of increasing it before the next budget.". This amendment seeks a review by the Minister...

Social Welfare Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2007)

Arthur Morgan: I do not know whether asylum seekers are at greater risk of poverty than the rest of the population. I suspect that many of the groups involved would refute the Minister's point but I will ask them for reports to support their claims. The direct provision concept is wrong. The Mosney camp in east Meath is the centre closest to me. I recall when it was Butlins which we visited on school...

Social Welfare Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2007)

Arthur Morgan: Nobody is suggesting that.

Social Welfare Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2007)

Arthur Morgan: I wish to correct the record on a point the Minister made; nobody on this side of the House advocates an open door policy on entry to this country. We all recognise that a responsible process is necessary but I suggested earlier that the process of examining those claiming asylum must be expedited. This would have a positive effect on the Exchequer and in the absence of this asylum seekers...

Social Welfare Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2007)

Arthur Morgan: I welcome the opportunity to address the Social Welfare Bill and thank the Labour Party for sharing time. Every year in early December there is quite a fuss over the budget. As every week there is a budgetary announcement of some kind or an increase through the various stealth charges, it is ironic that there is such a big fuss over the December budget. Somebody once said that a society can...

Requests to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 32 (12 Dec 2007)

Arthur Morgan: I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to discuss the following matter of urgent national importance, namely, the decision by the Argos chain to fly in English scab labour, or scab labour from anywhere, to work in its stores in Ireland when its employees are striking for an extra €1 per hour, and to call on the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to draw up...

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (11 Dec 2007)

Arthur Morgan: Question 64: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the lack of facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Laois which has no physical education hall, computer room or library and has had eight prefabs serving as classrooms for the past nine years; and if she will make a statement on the matter particularly in relation to the school's need...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (11 Dec 2007)

Arthur Morgan: Question 999: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will review the salmon hardship scheme with a view to offering reasonable buy out rates to fishermen, some of whom have fished seasonally for several generations; when such a review will commence and conclude; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33983/07]

Adult Education. (11 Dec 2007)

Arthur Morgan: Question 56: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the implementation of the McIver report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34005/07]

Adult Education. (11 Dec 2007)

Arthur Morgan: Does the Minister of State think it appropriate that the plc sector should be held back from development and used as a bartering tool in the social partnership negotiations? Surely the Government recognises the needs of this sector in its own right? Given that plc courses were first launched in 1985 and the McIver report was published in 2003, why is that four years later there is no...

Adult Education. (11 Dec 2007)

Arthur Morgan: Does the Minister of State accept that finance is the reason the Government is pushing this into a negotiating process? A total of €80 million per annum is spent on subsidising private schools. Substantially less than that would have implemented this report in full and ended the nightmare where the plc is virtually an off-shoot of the VEC process. That is totally inadequate and inappropriate.

Legislative Programme. (11 Dec 2007)

Arthur Morgan: I welcome another announcement the Bill is imminent. Can the Minister give any indication as to when the legislation will be implemented and when the new scheme will begin? Is there any particular reason the USI and students have been kept in the dark with regard to consultation on the proposed legislation? I am told there has been no consultation whatsoever with them. We all welcome...

Legislative Programme. (11 Dec 2007)

Arthur Morgan: That is not what I was led to believe.

Financial Resolution No. 4: Income Tax (5 Dec 2007)

Arthur Morgan: The example the Minister used was a company giving a loan to an employee. I take it that is just an example and I assume a director of a company, for example, who may not be a worker in the enterprise would similarly count and that this would be across the board.

Financial Resolution No. 3: Excise Duties (Mechanically Propelled Vehicles) (5 Dec 2007)

Arthur Morgan: He is away again.

Financial Resolution No. 3: Excise Duties (Mechanically Propelled Vehicles) (5 Dec 2007)

Arthur Morgan: We are not asleep.

Financial Resolution No. 3: Excise Duties (Mechanically Propelled Vehicles) (5 Dec 2007)

Arthur Morgan: I strongly agree with Deputy Varadkar's final point. The Minister should engage in a proper debate about providing adequate funding for local government. If the motion before us proposed to introduce a carbon tax from 1 January, I have no doubt it would receive unanimous support in the Chamber. However, the proposal is, pure and simple, a rip-off of motorists and cannot be described as a...

Financial Resolution No. 3: Excise Duties (Mechanically Propelled Vehicles) (5 Dec 2007)

Arthur Morgan: Not too long ago, when the Green Party was on this side of the House, I heard several of its Deputies describe the use of this type of phraseology by Ministers as bluff and bluster. Look where it is coming from now. Motorists have no option but to use cars as the Minister has frequently pointed out. Public transport is available in only a small number of narrow streams in the State. Under...