Results 2,741-2,760 of 4,414 for speaker:Sean Barrett

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Irish Stability Programme Update: Minister for Finance (15 Apr 2014)

Sean Barrett: On the tax revenue increasing from €37.8 billion to €48.1 billion, that is €10.4 billion in extra taxes. The net current expenditure goes down by 3.3%. That is as a result of what the Minister said about people on medium incomes paying the top rate of tax. The adjustment is still being driven overwhelmingly by €10 billion extra in tax between 2013 and 2018.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Irish Stability Programme Update: Minister for Finance (15 Apr 2014)

Sean Barrett: The same number who are paying more tax.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Irish Stability Programme Update: Minister for Finance (15 Apr 2014)

Sean Barrett: I thank the Minister.

Seanad: Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Bill 2013: Second Stage (15 Apr 2014)

Sean Barrett: I welcome the Minister. I thought Senator O'Sullivan was going to launch into a version of "Pirates of Penzance" when he gave his romantic view of the sea. A line from the song could go something like this "stick to your desk and never go to sea, and you can be the leader of the Queen's Navee". I thank the Minister for his presentation. Would registering small craft have an impact on...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Apr 2014)

Sean Barrett: Will the Leader arrange a debate on the report of the Commission for Economic Development of Rural Areas, CEDRA, which was published yesterday? The commission is chaired by Mr. Pat Spillane and it was worrying to hear him say on radio this morning that he reckoned that of 64 GAA clubs in County Kerry, only 15 could mount a minor side of 15 players. Those are areas we must address - rural...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Broadcasting Rights: Gaelic Athletic Association (15 Apr 2014)

Sean Barrett: Go raibh maith agat, a Chathaoirligh. I welcome the ard-stiúrthóir and the uachtarán of the GAA. Is the TG4 coverage on Saturdays set to continue? The delegation has told us that RTE has got the 31 matches that it sought and the 100 live GAA matches will continue over three years. The delegation did say the figures clearly. Can it confirm the figures? I second what...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process: (Resumed) Bank of Ireland (10 Apr 2014)

Sean Barrett: For clarification, what does the figure of €92.8 billion refer to?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process: (Resumed) Bank of Ireland (10 Apr 2014)

Sean Barrett: Is that 92.8% in property?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process: (Resumed) Bank of Ireland (10 Apr 2014)

Sean Barrett: I welcome the visitors this afternoon. I have a few questions, particularly with regard to measures to prevent a recurrence of what has happened since 2008, and indeed the period before. What is the bank's current loan-to-value ratio? What is the current multiple for loans in terms of the income of the borrower? What percentage of the loan book is in property, compared to what it was at...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Apr 2014)

Sean Barrett: I echo all the sentiments expressed about Jody Blake. When she left Golden in Tipperary she ushered in a golden era in the Seanad. I thank her very much for all her kindness to us all. This week, most generous tributes were paid by Queen Elizabeth in her speech at Windsor Castle to Daniel O'Connell as a parliamentarian. This parliamentary tradition is extremely important in this country....

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Apr 2014)

Sean Barrett: Referring to the Grant Thornton report, today's edition of The Irish Timescarries the headline: "A failure to attract international students at the root of third level crisis, says report". Attracting foreign students is very difficult to do. A major effort to attract foreign students to the United Kingdom brings in about 11% of the student fees. There are problems given that India has...

Seanad: Fines (Payment and Recovery) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (8 Apr 2014)

Sean Barrett: I agree with Senator Conway's remarks. He made a wise decision and he always adds to debates in the House. The object, as I understood it, was to reduce the incidence of imprisonment and we all support that. It is singularly expensive and it also introduces people to what is called the "university of crime". The Minister of State referred to the attachment sections and any prospective...

Seanad: Fines (Payment and Recovery) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (8 Apr 2014)

Sean Barrett: I second the amendment. Senator Quinn makes an important point. For example, the property tax can be paid through deductions from earnings. We are trying to create employment. The employment transaction is being continually burdened with things that are at a far remove from the important employment decision which we hope will be taken positively. We are delighted with the 61,000...

Seanad: Fines (Payment and Recovery) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (8 Apr 2014)

Sean Barrett: I thank the Minister of State for his reply.

Seanad: Fines (Payment and Recovery) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (8 Apr 2014)

Sean Barrett: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Fines (Payment and Recovery) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (8 Apr 2014)

Sean Barrett: I second the amendment. I welcome the Minister of State. He may recall that Senator Michael D'Arcy was concerned that some pretty objectionable types turned up to do the collecting in this case. Senator Feargal Quinn's amendment seeks to protect the citizen. I think Senator D'Arcy was concerned about the arrival of a gang on farm properties. I think his version was that it would be...

Seanad: Building Control (Carbon Monoxide Detection) Bill 2014: Second Stage (8 Apr 2014)

Sean Barrett: I welcome the Minister to the House and Ms Honor Heffernan to the Visitors Gallery. I hope we will be singing off the same sheet by the time this debate concludes. It is an honour to second Senator Quinn's proposal. He has a proud record of introducing legislation of this kind. We have already debated his proposals on the use of defibrillators and he also supported the ban on smoking in...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Apr 2014)

Sean Barrett: I join Senator Norris in wishing every success to President Higgins on his state visit to the UK and to Queen Elizabeth. It was an emotional moment at 12.22 this afternoon to hear Amhrán na bhFiann being played by the band of the Irish Guards in Windsor. It brought hope of better times to replace so much sadness in Anglo-Irish relations. A most useful meeting of the North/South...

Seanad: Participation in Sport: Motion (2 Apr 2014)

Sean Barrett: I had a clash of fixtures this evening as awards are currently being handed out for service to sports. The international rugby referee, Mr. John West, is one of the guests at the awards event and asked me to pass on his regards to the Minister, his former pupil. There have been many great sporting moments. The highlight of the Queen's successful visit, which the President will reciprocate...

Seanad: Participation in Sport: Motion (2 Apr 2014)

Sean Barrett: Perhaps through rezoning.