Results 3,221-3,240 of 4,414 for speaker:Sean Barrett

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: An Tuarascáil - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Jul 2013)

Sean Barrett: I propose that we do not proceed with the abolition of the Seanad. We have not consulted the universities who send six people here. I speak as a member of the board of a university and can vouch that the matter has not been discussed. It was dropped on us. We have not consulted the other nominating bodies either. With regard to the amendment which states that no general election for...

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: An Tuarascáil - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Jul 2013)

Sean Barrett: He or she might even turn up here for more than an odd hour a year. The Taoiseach is an employee of the people and nobody will accept a person's judgment which is based on one hour's visit per year. It would be unacceptable for the closure of a hospital, school or business. That is what the Government is asking us to do. It is shamelessly neglecting the good work done by the House, the...

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: An Tuarascáil - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Jul 2013)

Sean Barrett: The Minister of State does not want universities here either, that is fine.

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: An Tuarascáil - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Jul 2013)

Sean Barrett: We must remember that we have universities of the highest rank and with 65 departments. I have brought the knowledge of those departments to this parliamentary Chamber. I shall tell them that the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, in obedience to Taoiseach Kenny does not want any university representation, does not want a second Chamber and does not want anybody from Northern Ireland....

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: An Tuarascáil - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Jul 2013)

Sean Barrett: Tairgim leasú a 28: In page 8, to delete lines 8 to 11 and substitute the following:“2° Is é an lá dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt 1° den alt seo an 91ú lá a thiocfaidh Dáil Éireann le chéile den chéad uair tar éis an olltoghcháin do chomhaltaí de Dháil Éireann is túisce a bheidh ann tar eis an...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Jul 2013)

Sean Barrett: I join in the compliments to Senator Gilroy on the event of his book launch. We had another distinguished author in the House yesterday, the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, and they are both in the tradition of W. B. Yeats, so we are expecting Nobel prizes from the Minister and Senator. The very good news from the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, was his...

Seanad: Prison Development (Confirmation of Resolutions) Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Jul 2013)

Sean Barrett: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch. Many good points have already been made, particularly regarding community service and attachment of earnings. I believe many people are in prison as a result of relatively small debts and it is hugely expensive to keep them there. I did not hear mention of tagging, which is a feature of other justice systems. In addition, are we...

Seanad: Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (16 Jul 2013)

Sean Barrett: I am grateful that the Minister is happy to reflect on the matter and address it. That is always valuable. I recall that on the Personal Insolvency Act we had a tutorial by all parties which helped the Minister. Certainly, the number of amendments he proposed or accepted from other Members was remarkable. I look forward to seeing it in operation. The problem is that of the 150,000...

Seanad: Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Bill 2013: Report Stage (16 Jul 2013)

Sean Barrett: I move amendment No. 2: In page 6, between lines 7 and 8, to insert the following:"4. Where the property which is being repossessed is the subject of a residential tenancy, the protections afforded to tenants under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 shall be complied with by the financial receiver who shall comply with all obligations of landlords under that Act.".Cuirim fáilte roimh an...

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (16 Jul 2013)

Sean Barrett: I welcome the Minister. The Minister and the Ministers of State at the Department of Health, Deputies James Reilly, Alex White and Kathleen Lynch, have collectively paid the House great attention, which we appreciate. I join Members who have thanked Deputy Jerry Buttimer for organising the hearings on the issues which are the subject of the Bill. I also welcome Deputy Peter Mathews to the...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Jul 2013)

Sean Barrett: I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on Northern Ireland, either among ourselves or with a Minister if one is available. I also ask him to consider inviting back the Orange Order, representatives of which addressed the House on 3 July 2012. Stormont is reconvening today to discuss that topic. Part of the problem with those who are now assaulting members of the PSNI and the police officers...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (15 Jul 2013)

Sean Barrett: I wish to express some concern about a newspaper headline yesterday, namely, "Noonan wants €750 million capital fund to boost employment". The thinking in the article seemed to be that each €1 million spent creates eight to 12 new jobs and, therefore €750 million would create 6,000 to 9,000 jobs. It does until a project is over. One is then left with debt and no asset...

Seanad: Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Bill 2013: Committee Stage (12 Jul 2013)

Sean Barrett: I wish to propose a new section for consideration by the Minister on Report Stage. It arose out of the very interesting discussion we had with the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, on the last day. It is some measure of protection for those for whom a rented property is their principal private residence. I gather this market has been increasing extremely rapidly and they face the...

Seanad: Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Bill 2013: Committee Stage (12 Jul 2013)

Sean Barrett: As I wish to propose a new section, perhaps I should wait until you call me on that. It is not related to the amendment.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jul 2013)

Sean Barrett: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jul 2013)

Sean Barrett: We are usually treated to a tour de force from the Leader when he responds to the questions we ask on the Order of Business. I sometimes think he must be using radar to know what is going on in people's offices. He always seems to have the answers. That is important because it contrasts with what happened here yesterday. The manner in which the troops of advisers who sit in the chairs...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jul 2013)

Sean Barrett: Members of this House had to stop speaking. The Minister of State seemed to find many of the anecdotes that were being shared with him entertaining. He did not listen to Senators. It looked particularly bad on television. Perhaps Members of the House are conditioned not to look and see who is present. Ministers and Ministers of State should master their briefs. Those who sit the junior...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jul 2013)

Sean Barrett: It contrasts unfavourably with what happens in Westminster, when the Prime Minister stands at the despatch box and has to answer without any obvious prompters about the place. The same thing applies in the Northern Ireland Assembly. I ask the Leader to prepare a new protocol for advisers when they enter this House. Perhaps he could start by confining Ministers and Ministers of State to one...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jul 2013)

Sean Barrett: I would like to conclude by giving the House a warning based on what is happening across the water. It appears that the Tory Party has a public relations consultant who also advises the tobacco industry and, as a result, a delay in the UK Government's proposals to provide for plain cigarette packaging is being announced as we speak. Senator Crown has warned us about the power of the tobacco...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jul 2013)

Sean Barrett: Hear, hear.