Results 3,861-3,880 of 4,414 for speaker:Sean Barrett

Seanad: Fiscal Responsibility Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Nov 2012)

Sean Barrett: I move amendment No. 17: In page 10, paragraph 1(3)(a), line 9, to delete "desirability" and substitute "requirement".As a result of all of the trouble we are in, we are now conscious of the need for competent, professional people on our boards, etc. While previously this was not the case, an attempt is now being made to try to remedy that situation, in respect of which we support the...

Seanad: Fiscal Responsibility Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Nov 2012)

Sean Barrett: Given that the Minister of State did not understand the amendment, he gave a very good response.

Seanad: Fiscal Responsibility Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Nov 2012)

Sean Barrett: His remarks were important. Ireland is not the only country in this situation. According to a book published out of the University of Cambridge last year by the retired director general of the IMF, Dr. Vito Tanzi, most countries in the world are facing debt to GDP ratios of approximately 120%, regrettably. They spent beyond their taxable capacity. They borrowed in a way that destroyed...

Seanad: Fiscal Responsibility Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Nov 2012)

Sean Barrett: Yes, it is the familiar proposal to change the response period from two months to one month. If the Government disagrees with the council, it gets two months to respond. Given that the Minister of State is already being sent out there for these great discussions - I would like to be a fly on the wall when that happens - I am really asking why the advice of the council cannot be responded to...

Seanad: Fiscal Responsibility Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Nov 2012)

Sean Barrett: I move amendment No. 13: In page 8, subsection (4)(b), line 22, to delete ?Pact.? and substitute the following:?Pact, and the attainment and retention of fiscal responsibility and international evidence on the problem of fiscal imbalance.?.The Bill is a fiscal responsibility Bill and we have set up a fiscal council. I have a little less confidence in the bodies mentioned by the Minister...

Seanad: Fiscal Responsibility Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Nov 2012)

Sean Barrett: I asked about the difference-----

Seanad: Fiscal Responsibility Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Nov 2012)

Sean Barrett: If I read the sections correctly, which of course may not be the case - I thank the Minister of State for his earlier remarks - "shall" applies if the news is good and "may" applies if the news is bad. Should the Government not be required to announce the bad news to allow us to address the problem? I ask the Minister of State to consider this issue on Report Stage.

Seanad: Fiscal Responsibility Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Nov 2012)

Sean Barrett: I have tabled an amendment in this group, namely, amendment No. 10, which proposes to change the timeframe from two months to one month. If it is a crisis or there is good news, why not do it quickly? That is the essence of the amendment. In general terms - I hope this does not sound demeaning - the Minister is categorised in the legislation as a kind of Goldilocks. The mixture is too...

Seanad: Action Plan for Jobs: Statements (20 Nov 2012)

Sean Barrett: I welcome the Minister, Deputy Bruton, to the House. It is always great to see him here. I was involved in the Culliton report which provided previous Governments with advice on this problem. As stated by the Minister, a great deal of progress has been made. The Nobel prize winner in economics, Professor Pissarides, from Cyprus who spoke in this House recently was keen on flexible labour...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Nov 2012)

Sean Barrett: I ask the Leader to delay consideration of No. 1 with which I have serious problems. Paragraphs 49 to 52, inclusive, of the report deal with whether the majority one needs to move a private Bill through the House is 50% or 75% of the body corporate. Serious legal issues arise that must be resolved based on an earlier case. That item should not proceed today and I ask the Leader to put it...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Nov 2012)

Sean Barrett: I am asking that the matter be referred to the Leader. I might move an amendment later.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Nov 2012)

Sean Barrett: I move that the item not be taken pending the reply of the Leader.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Nov 2012)

Sean Barrett: Yes.

Seanad: Chalara fraxinea (Ash Dieback Disease): Statements (15 Nov 2012)

Sean Barrett: I welcome the Minister of State. I note that he said he had dealt with the challenges head on. I was trying to remember what that reminded me of and I may tell him after the debate. Our island advantage must be used and availed of. Senator Feargal Quinn lives almost on an island, a peninsula, where there are red squirrels which are not found in the rest of the country. We are protected by...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2012)

Sean Barrett: I commend the Taoiseach for attending the Remembrance Day commemoration in Enniskillen on Sunday, the Tánaiste for attending a similar commemoration in Belfast, and the Minister, Deputy Deenihan, for attending the one in St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin. We wish well all those who seek to reconcile the traditions on this island. Sometimes the reconciliation may be much less than we think....

Seanad: Fiscal Responsibility Bill 2012: Second Stage (14 Nov 2012)

Sean Barrett: I welcome the Minister and thank him for his kind remarks about the previous Fiscal Responsibility (Statement) Bill. The remarks are appreciated. I thank the Minister for gracing an international economics conference with this presence during the summer. One of the questions that arose was what was happening to the Munster rugby team. The Minister's reply was that they are rebuilding and...

Seanad: The Economy: Statements (13 Nov 2012)

Sean Barrett: I welcome the Minister of State and he always has our good wishes in the reforms he is trying to implement. In response to the speech of the Minister of State, we have some growth but GNP was down 2.5% in 2011. The domestic economy remains in trouble, as the Minister of State knows. He also referred to tax receipts having increased by 6.3% in the year end to October. It may be higher as...

Seanad: Matter raised under Standing Order 30 (8 Nov 2012)

Sean Barrett: I wish to share time with Senator Cullinane, if possible.

Seanad: Matter raised under Standing Order 30 (8 Nov 2012)

Sean Barrett: I certainly will use less time than that. I welcome the Minister to the House and commend her on the calm manner in which she has conducted this campaign. She has been a model to us all and has reached out to many people. As I understand it, and I thank Senator Bacik for her legal exposition, the judgment does not affect the substantive issue and I urge people to vote "Yes" for this...

Seanad: Public Expenditure and Reform: Statements (8 Nov 2012)

Sean Barrett: I welcome the Minister and thank him for his speech. As was the case with the discussion on the Ombudsman (Amendment) Act 2012, I assure him of the support of this side of the House for his vital reform agenda. The Minister referred to sick leave arrangements. ISME provided information to the effect that three days per year are lost in small enterprises and six in medium enterprises...