Results 24,381-24,400 of 26,986 for speaker:Richard Boyd Barrett

Electricity Regulation (Carbon Revenue Levy) (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second and Subsequent Stages (24 May 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: A State enterprise would not have done that.

Electricity Regulation (Carbon Revenue Levy) (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second and Subsequent Stages (24 May 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: What about the free carbon credit allowance ending at the end of the year? Does that end only for the electricity sector and will other sectors receive free credit?

Electricity Regulation (Carbon Revenue Levy) (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second and Subsequent Stages (24 May 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I refer to free carbon allowances, not the refund.

Order of Business (24 May 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: It is not agreed.

Order of Business (24 May 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: It is unacceptable that this House will not have the opportunity to debate the outcome of the European Council before the referendum. Yesterday's Council debated the very serious possible consequences of a Greek exit from the eurozone, the very deep crisis within the European economy and a political sea change that is occurring in Europe regarding-----

Order of Business (24 May 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: -----how to deal with that crisis. More and more people, countries and political leaders are rejecting the austerity path contained in the fiscal treaty and are refusing to ratify the treaty until a clear strategy for growth, jobs and investment is set out.

Order of Business (24 May 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: We have not got that and we must debate, in this House, the outcome of that European Council. We must have a full opportunity to question the Taoiseach about what happened and what proposals for growth and investment-----

Order of Business (24 May 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: -----are there because that has a serious bearing on the referendum vote on 31 May. The Government should allow a discussion about what happened at the European Council.

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (23 May 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Question 61: To ask the Minister for Finance the impact that the recent downgrading of growth projections for the Irish and European economies are likely to have in terms of the fiscal adjustments required to meet Ireland's deficit targets for the years 2013, 2014 and 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25655/12]

Private Members' Business. National Monuments: Motion (resumed) (23 May 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: It is not possible to overstate the importance of commemorating the site of the 1916 Rising. It is even more important because of the terrible situation in which the country now finds itself. In many ways it is as significant an historic crossroads as the one at which we found ourselves in 1916. It is tremendously important that we honour and pay proper tribute to the heroes of 1916, their...

Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (23 May 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Like others, I broadly welcome the amalgamation of HETAC, FETAC and the National Qualification Authority into this new body, the QQAI. It makes sense to tidy up and streamline the various bodies that deal with quality assurance and educational awards and to make them compatible with similar systems across Europe. However, following on our discussion earlier on schools like Newpark, the best...

Schools Building Projects (23 May 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I have to admit a certain personal interest in this matter. I am the father of a child who attends Newpark Comprehensive School. Another one of my children will go there in a few years time. As Deputy Harris said, Newpark Comprehensive School caters for 830 children. It is one of the few non-fee paying secondary schools in its large catchment area, which extends from County Wicklow to...

Schools Building Projects (23 May 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: The Minister of State's response is not adequate. The parents, students and staff have been fighting for this school and they have gone through all the hoops for 17 years. The Department has long since accepted the urgent need to rebuild this school to enable it to deliver the education syllabus and to provide adequate surroundings in order for 830 students to learn. At present, the school...

Fiscal Code (23 May 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: It is true that there are a lot of variables when we are trying to project future growth rates, inflation and so on. However, I think the Minister is covering up the facts about what we have to do to meet these targets because of the impact that might have on a vote on the fiscal treaty. If inflation was rising significantly or if there was a significant prospect of growth in excess of the...

Fiscal Code (23 May 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Is it not the case, however, that all the variables are moving in the opposite direction? That means it is more likely that the Minister will have to make even bigger adjustments, namely cuts, in order to meet the targets when the treaty's provisions come into force. That fact has been confirmed by Professor John McHale, chairman of the Fiscal Advisory Council. Professor McHale wrote that...

Fiscal Code (23 May 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I am not.

Fiscal Code (23 May 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Really and truly, I think the Minister is trying to blind people with science.

Fiscal Code (23 May 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Is it not the case that the Minister's own figures show that even if those growth projections had held up, we would have been looking at approximately €5 billion to €6 billion to meet deficit targets post-2015? Several billion would also be needed to meet the debt-to-GDP ratio targets contained in the treaty unless there is significant growth in the economy, which there is not because...

Fiscal Code (23 May 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: That has nothing to do with it.

Fiscal Code (23 May 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Tell that to your gang on Leaders' Questions.