Results 3,741-3,760 of 4,414 for speaker:Sean Barrett

Seanad: Water Fluoridation: Motion (30 Jan 2013)

Sean Barrett: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I am grateful that Senators Norris and Quinn have tabled this motion because, as has been said on both sides of the House, all policy should be reviewed. However, this policy has been reviewed. It used to be a test case example of public policy that we did the research before introducing fluoridation of water. We found that where fluoride was...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2013)

Sean Barrett: I welcome the Deputy Leader's announcement that we are to debate fluoridation this afternoon. When Mr. Gay Mitchell, MEP, was here last week he referred to the Seanad as a valuable Chamber where debates can take place in a non-adversarial manner. There are most interesting arguments on both sides of the fluoridation debate and I welcome the scheduling of that discussion for this afternoon....

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by Ms Mairead McGuinness, MEP (29 Jan 2013)

Sean Barrett: I welcome Deputy McGuinness - it is difficult to get used to calling MEPs Deputies, but it is the first time I have heard that used. She has a terrific record in the media and on television, and it is wonderful to see her here. Are the subsidies capitalised in higher land prices and does that form a major obstacle to the young farmers who are trying to get into agriculture?

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jan 2013)

Sean Barrett: I join in the expressions of sympathy to Senator Henry, the de Buitléar, Heffernan and Donohoe families and the Garda Síochána who look after us so well not only in this House but throughout the country. As we have been hearing, Detective Garda Donohoe was a man in the best traditions of service to the Garda Síochána, his community and the GAA. Yesterday Raymond McCartney, the Deputy...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of Economy and Funding Requirements: Discussion with NTMA (24 Jan 2013)

Sean Barrett: I thank Mr. Corrigan.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of Economy and Funding Requirements: Discussion with NTMA (24 Jan 2013)

Sean Barrett: The witnesses are welcome. While I was detained at other meetings, I meant them no discourtesy and I recognise the hour is late. The main point on which I seek their views concerns the €75 billion to which Deputy Mathews referred for the bank rescue. Do they have an idea about how much of that we will recoup within ten years, or ever?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of Economy and Funding Requirements: Discussion with NTMA (24 Jan 2013)

Sean Barrett: Does "if not the whole lot" mean it could be that we get back all €30 billion?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of Economy and Funding Requirements: Discussion with NTMA (24 Jan 2013)

Sean Barrett: I thank Mr. Corrigan for saying that. There is so much pessimism abroad that when any kind of optimistic number emerges from the second element, there are sometimes cheers of a sort because we sold a bit of a bank. However, the question should be what proportion did we get of the cost to us of taking on that bank and how much more will it need. These are the questions on which the public...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of Economy and Funding Requirements: Discussion with NTMA (24 Jan 2013)

Sean Barrett: I thank Mr. Corrigan. Does this apply to the Ombudsman as well? As Mr. Corrigan is aware, there has also been some recent legislation in respect of the Ombudsman. Is the NTMA subject to the scrutiny of the Ombudsman?

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by Mr. Gay Mitchell, MEP (24 Jan 2013)

Sean Barrett: I welcome Mr. Mitchell, MEP. People have referred to his late brother, who made a practical contribution to greater contacts between Europeans. I remember when it used to cost £650 to fly from Dublin to Brussels. He played a major part in opening up that market with his friend in the Commission, Peter Sutherland, against Civil Service advice. That was a real tester of bringing Europeans...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jan 2013)

Sean Barrett: I agree with Senator Keane. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, to address the House on these issues in his erudite way with which we are all familiar. However, some economic concerns have been expressed by the National Competitiveness Council and the Irish Academy of Engineering, and Senator Clune stated that this is an expensive form of energy. Currently, it is...

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Second Stage (23 Jan 2013)

Sean Barrett: I thank the Minister of State sincerely for that. There are 6,000 people with some form of criminal conviction. Suppose the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine said he did not want certain people in agriculture or the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation said he did not want certain people in industry. Are we going to turn people into convicts? Are we going to give them...

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Second Stage (23 Jan 2013)

Sean Barrett: I welcome the Minister of State and our guests in the Gallery. I thank the Minister of State for the manner in which he always receives representations made in the Seanad. He sets the record, certainly in my time, in that he has commenced in this House two Bills in very rapid succession. In the regulation of the sector, quantity licensing must be avoided at all costs. The Minister of...

Seanad: Local Government Reform: Statements (22 Jan 2013)

Sean Barrett: I welcome the Minister to the House. While the document concentrates on economies on the side of elected representatives, I am mindful of the McLoughlin report and the efficiencies that are needed in the permanent government of the local authorities which it was judged would make possible savings of ¤511 million. On the last page of the Minister's report he cites ¤400 million. Is that...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jan 2013)

Sean Barrett: I wish to echo the sentiments of Senator Moran with regard to the late Minister of State, Deputy Shane McEntee. His address here on 15 November 2012 was remarkable for the commitment he showed with regard to the attempts to save the country from ash tree disease. Everyone in north Meath on Christmas eve felt the tremendous outpouring of sadness. Our sympathies are with his family, his...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Matters Relating to the Economy: Discussion with Governor of Central Bank (16 Jan 2013)

Sean Barrett: Will the witness speak about the PTSB? Did it seek permission for the action?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Matters Relating to the Economy: Discussion with Governor of Central Bank (16 Jan 2013)

Sean Barrett: I welcome Professor Honohan to the meeting. He stated he is helping to promote a better culture to help consumers have more confidence in financial services. As a member of the committee I must say we do not have much confidence in financial services. It is a landscape of bankrupt banks across the board. Professor Honohan listed the new design features which are being put in place...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill: Discussion with Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (10 Jan 2013)

Sean Barrett: I welcome the Minister. I was pleased to hear him say he intends to change how business is done because that is very necessary. According to the comments that were circulated on behalf of the Minister, "the diplomatic efforts underway in relation to banking debt highlight the need for a careful and delicate balance". Surely banking is one of the areas that should be more exposed, in light...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill: Discussion with Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (10 Jan 2013)

Sean Barrett: When the powers of the Ombudsman were being extended to the Higher Education Authority, we said the first referral would come from Mr. R. Quinn of Sandymount because he could not figure out what the authority was up to either. I think less of that secrecy would be welcome. While I approve of the way the Minister is treating new entrants, I wonder whether there is any basis in law for it....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill: Discussion with Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (10 Jan 2013)

Sean Barrett: The difference relates to the age of the bodies. Some bodies that existed before the enactment of the legislation have this privileged state. The Minister intends to bring that to an end for newcomers. Perhaps all the existing exemptions, other than those mentioned by Deputy Donnelly, should be removed over a period of years.