Results 35,401-35,420 of 35,959 for speaker:Pearse Doherty

Seanad: Higher Education Grants (9 Dec 2009)

Pearse Doherty: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Curran. The issue I raise affects many young people in Donegal. I preface my remarks by saying I will focus on Donegal, in particular the situation in Letterkenny Institute of Technology, but this is a State-wide issue which needs to be dealt with. I am conscious of making these remarks a number of hours after the Government's attack on young people...

Seanad: Higher Education Grants (9 Dec 2009)

Pearse Doherty: While I welcome the response of the Minister of State, it misses the core point. I have a copy of a letter received by 600 students. I argue a high proportion of these students will receive a maintenance grant when their applications are processed and that, therefore, they should not be required to pay the fee in the first place. However, Letterkenny Institute of Technology is asking them...

Seanad: Higher Education Grants (9 Dec 2009)

Pearse Doherty: Many of them will not have to pay the registration fee. It is a systems collapse which I hope will never happen again. The Department should indicate who is at fault and that it should not happen again. Students who want to receive a third level education should not be threatened.

Seanad: Farming and Agrifood Sector: Statements (9 Dec 2009)

Pearse Doherty: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire go dtí an Seanad chun an cheist tábhachtach seo, ó thaobh cúrsaí talmhaíochta, iascaireachta, coillte, bia agus ólachán de, a phlé. Agrifood is a very important topic, one on which my party colleague, Deputy Arthur Morgan, is preparing a report for the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. With his assistant, Ms Kathryn Reilly,...

Seanad: Pre-Budget Outlook: Statements (1 Dec 2009)

Pearse Doherty: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir White as ucht a chuid ama a roinnt liom. Tá a fhios agam gur díospóireacht iontach tábhachtach í an díospóireacht seo. Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire freisin. I welcome the opportunity to discuss the pre-budget outlook and to outline some of my party's proposals in terms of where we believe the Government's direction should be on 9 December and...

Seanad: Social Welfare Benefits (25 Nov 2009)

Pearse Doherty: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire go dtí an Teach. Baineann an cheist gur mhaith liom a ardú os comhair an tSeanaid leis na bónais Nollag a bhí á íoc ag an Stáit dóibh siúd a fhaigheann airgead leasa sóisialta. Tá a fhios againn gur chuireadh ceal leis an íocaíocht sin i mí Aibreán na bliana seo. Agus muid ag tarraingt isteach ar an chéad seachtain de mí na Nollag, tá gá ann...

Seanad: Social Welfare Benefits (25 Nov 2009)

Pearse Doherty: The Minister of State is right about the consumer price index. It has fallen by 6.5%, but when we are talking about those on the lowest incomes, many of the items on which they spend most of their money have increased. Fuel, transport and education have increased by up to 11%. The CPI talks about mortgages and new cars but very few old age pensioners or people depending on €204 are...

Seanad: Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Second Stage (18 Nov 2009)

Pearse Doherty: Ní chuirim fáilte roimh an mBille seo, a thagann amach as an reifreann is déanaí a bhí againn. Is é seo ceann de na fáthanna gur chuir mo phairtí in éadan chonradh Liospóin. Cheapamar go raibh an tír seo ag sleamhnú isteach in Eoraip níos míleata. Bhíomar in éadan an European Defence Agency nuair a bhunaíodh é i 2004. The European Defence Agency is the armaments industry...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Nov 2009)

Pearse Doherty: Go raibh maith agat, a Chathaoirligh. Táim buíoch as an deis a bheith agam labhairt anseo anocht ar an reachtaíocht is tábhachtaí a chuaigh tríd na Tithe seo le tamall fada agus b'fhéidir an reachtaíocht is tábhachtaí a chuaigh tríd an Teach seo riamh. Níl dabht ar bith go mbeidh impleachtaí móra ar na cinnithe atá polaiteoirí ag dul ag glacadh sa Teach seo agus sa Teach...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Nov 2009)

Pearse Doherty: Sorry-----

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Nov 2009)

Pearse Doherty: Is the Minister suggesting I do not pay my taxes?

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Nov 2009)

Pearse Doherty: I do not understand the Minister's point.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Nov 2009)

Pearse Doherty: I do not understand the Minister's point.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Nov 2009)

Pearse Doherty: It is very unfortunate-----

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Nov 2009)

Pearse Doherty: It is my opinion that NAMA is legalised theft. We have had Fine Gael representatives refer to other economists who have talked about the same situation in terms of legalised theft but there were not the same jibes across the House. Obviously, I have touched a raw nerve.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Nov 2009)

Pearse Doherty: That is my opinion. Obviously, the Minister is the one in power and in charge. Perhaps his conscience is starting to get to him in the final hours as he brings forwards this legislation.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Nov 2009)

Pearse Doherty: I agreed with much of what Senator Ó Domhnaill had to say about the banks. I agree that those heading up the banks and the Financial Regulator should hang their heads in shame. However, the Government should also hang its head in shame because it fuelled the property bubble. Even Senator Ó Domhnaill, when he shared the chamber with me in Donegal County Council, called for tax incentives...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Nov 2009)

Pearse Doherty: Will the Cathaoirleach direct the Minister to have some respect for the Senator who is speaking?

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Nov 2009)

Pearse Doherty: The real damage of NAMA will not be evident until it is too late. It is the politics of postponement and the true damage will not be seen until the Government is long gone. As I said, as I do not have a crystal ball, I do not know whether NAMA will work. I hope it will because the Bill will be passed but it is my judgment that we are taking the wrong course of action. I have read the...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (4 Nov 2009)

Pearse Doherty: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir O'Reilly fá choinne a chuid ama a roinnt liom. Caithfidh mé a rá nach aontaím le mór-chuid den méid a bhí le rá aige. Déanfaidh mé mo chuid phointí féin. I could talk at some length about planning as it is an area that has exercised me as a councillor and Senator. I will not be voting against Second Stage of this Bill because new legislation...