Results 2,661-2,680 of 4,414 for speaker:Sean Barrett

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Jun 2014)

Sean Barrett: I welcome the improvements in the State examinations in mathematics this year and the relief that must have caused for over 100,000 people sitting the examinations. Last year, on an Adjournment matter, those of us on these benches, with the assistance of the Irish Mathematics Teachers Association, along with the former Senator, Deirdre Clune, an engineer, pointed out the mistakes in last...

Seanad: Companies Bill 2012: Second Stage (10 Jun 2014)

Sean Barrett: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Sean Sherlock, to the House. Presenting a Bill with 1,436 sections must be a record, certainly since I have been in the Seanad. I congratulate the Minister of State on his weight-lifting prowess in bringing it forward today. This is welcome legislation, its object being to reduce the cost of doing business in Ireland. I agree with Senator Feargal...

Seanad: State Airports (Shannon Group) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jun 2014)

Sean Barrett: The Minister announced this morning controls on clampers in general which has been generally welcomed.

Seanad: State Airports (Shannon Group) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jun 2014)

Sean Barrett: I move amendment No. 22: In page 43, after line 25, to insert the following: “Criteria for efficient airport investment and operation 50. The Commission for Aviation Regulation shall publish reports in regard to State airports and comparable international airports stating—(a) passengers per employee, (b) work load units per employee, (c) operating cost per work load unit, (d)...

Seanad: State Airports (Shannon Group) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jun 2014)

Sean Barrett: This is why these indicators of efficiency should be in place. More have come to light since I put this amendment down. They are offered to the Minister in that spirit. The Parliament and the Minister need that information from which we can judge whether airport charges are correct and capital investment proposals are worthwhile at the time which they are proposed.

Seanad: State Airports (Shannon Group) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jun 2014)

Sean Barrett: I would prefer to hear the Minister’s response if I may. There may be agreement and, therefore, it may not be necessary to press the amendment. I do not wish to detain the Minister unnecessarily-----

Seanad: State Airports (Shannon Group) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jun 2014)

Sean Barrett: I thank the Minister for his response. I look forward to working with him on these efficiency and productivity measures. I will not press the amendment.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (10 Jun 2014)

Sean Barrett: I wish to raise a point of order.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (10 Jun 2014)

Sean Barrett: The reports we have heard - they have not been confirmed - that the Taoiseach is concerned that the banking inquiry should have a pro-Government majority-----

Seanad: Business of Seanad (10 Jun 2014)

Sean Barrett: I accept your ruling, a Chathaoirligh, but could I just say that partly it is based on a misunderstanding that I am an anti-Government member of the committee.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (10 Jun 2014)

Sean Barrett: I gather that the other House has been suspended on the basis of the appointments to the banking inquiry. If I could do anything to alleviate the fears that appear to exist in Government that the committee as constituted would not serve the country, I would welcome the opportunity, at your discretion, to explain my position. I appreciate that we have resumed discussion of the Bill but I...

Seanad: Business of Seanad (10 Jun 2014)

Sean Barrett: It might damage governance and this House if the Government insists on having a majority on the committee and overturns the committee that has been duly constituted.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (10 Jun 2014)

Sean Barrett: Go raibh maith agat, a Chathaoirligh.

Seanad: State Airports (Shannon Group) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jun 2014)

Sean Barrett: On the issue of pensions in general, trustees must face up to their responsibilities. In regard to the casual addition of extra years or early retirement schemes which run up deficits amounting to hundreds of millions of euro, people must examine their situations so that we do not get a repeat of what happened to the banks in 2008. I note there are complaints on the adjoining island about...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jun 2014)

Sean Barrett: I wish to raise concerns about the recommendation by the Commission for Energy Regulation, published last Friday, that in the next accounting period the public service obligation charge on electricity should be increased by 55% from €210 million to €328 million. This would result in a 47% increase in the levy on domestic consumers, a 66% increase for small commercial consumers...

Seanad: Friendly Societies and Industrial and Provident Societies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (5 Jun 2014)

Sean Barrett: Section 8 states, "The powers, functions and duties of the registrar of friendly societies may be exercised and performed by such person or persons as the Minister may for the time being authorise." We have added a subsection that states, "The powers, functions and duties of the registrar of friendly societies under sections 5 and 6 shall be transferred to the Central Bank of Ireland from...

Seanad: Friendly Societies and Industrial and Provident Societies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (5 Jun 2014)

Sean Barrett: I thank the Minister of State and wish him success in any contest in which he might be participating in the near future.

Seanad: Friendly Societies and Industrial and Provident Societies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (5 Jun 2014)

Sean Barrett: I move amendment No. 2: In page 6, between lines 30 and 31, to insert the following:“(c) the formation of a separate loan fund has received authorisation under the Central Bank and Financial Services Act 2003,”.We seek to have the creation of a separate loan fund at the discretion of the Central Bank. The registrar does not wish to see separate loan funds being created and the...

Seanad: Friendly Societies and Industrial and Provident Societies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (5 Jun 2014)

Sean Barrett: I was trying to take up the invitation of the Minister of State to address the fact that we have no prudential supervision of friendly societies by putting it under the Central Bank. The registrar does not want to do it, the Central Bank does not want to do it and the friendly societies cannot set up loan funds. That we run into these culs-de-sac explains the background to some of the...

Seanad: Friendly Societies and Industrial and Provident Societies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (5 Jun 2014)

Sean Barrett: I move amendment No. 3: In page 7, between lines 14 and 15, to insert the following:“(5) The powers, functions and duties of the registrar of friendly societies under sections 5 and 6 shall be transferred to the Central Bank of Ireland from the operative date.”.”.Given the lack of interest and lack of appetite from the Registrar of Friendly Societies, the amendment...