Results 4,081-4,100 of 4,414 for speaker:Sean Barrett

Seanad: British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly: Statements (17 May 2012)

Sean Barrett: I endorse all the statements made by my colleagues. This is a marvellous time in British-Irish relations and the work of the interparliamentary body is to be commended by all sides of this House. When one thinks of some of the wonderful things that have happened, one could say the "Bull" Hayes was not the only person who shed a tear on that memorable day in Croke Park when God Save the...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 May 2012)

Sean Barrett: I would like a debate on admission to universities. When people are studying the leaving certificate, it is important they have confidence in the way they progress to the next level. Happily, some 70% of students do so, which is one of the highest figures anywhere. We have discussed problems in mathematics at second level and our neglect of languages. The system was set up by Professor...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2012)

Sean Barrett: In last Sunday's edition of The Sunday Business Post, Emma Kennedy estimated that at present, approximately 90,000 people hold Leap cards, which gets one a discount on bus fares, in the greater Dublin area. It cost €55 million to get the system up and running, which comes to more than €600 per person who holds such a card. The card gets one a saving of 11% on one's fares and the average...

Seanad: Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (10 May 2012)

Sean Barrett: I move amendment No. 1: In page 12, between lines 27 and 28, to insert the following: "9.—(1) This Act shall not apply: (a) to the evaluation of educational course materials, course designs, evaluation structures and materials that have been analysed and adjudicated upon by an external examiner appointed by the academic council and the governing body of a previously established university,...

Seanad: Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (10 May 2012)

Sean Barrett: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Cannon. I should have welcomed him to the House in my introductory remarks. I believe the universities should be excluded, which is why I tabled the amendment. They are competing at the highest possible international standard. This is a vote of no confidence in them by the Government. We are competing in research and in teaching with people of the...

Seanad: Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (10 May 2012)

Sean Barrett: I thank the Minister of State for what he just stated. The amendment moves in the right direction and I am in agreement with it.

Seanad: Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (10 May 2012)

Sean Barrett: I thank the Minister of State for taking on board what I said on Committee Stage. I appreciate the gesture.

Seanad: Protection of Children's Health from Tobacco Smoke Bill 2012: Second Stage (9 May 2012)

Sean Barrett: Not in cars anyway.

Seanad: Protection of Children's Health from Tobacco Smoke Bill 2012: Second Stage (9 May 2012)

Sean Barrett: I wish to share time with my colleague, Senator Norris.

Seanad: Protection of Children's Health from Tobacco Smoke Bill 2012: Second Stage (9 May 2012)

Sean Barrett: It is strictly within the control of the Acting Chairman.

Seanad: Protection of Children's Health from Tobacco Smoke Bill 2012: Second Stage (9 May 2012)

Sean Barrett: This is a fantastic opportunity. The Minister can declare, as a result of the Bill so ably proposed by Senator Crown, 2 million places where smoking will no longer be permitted. There are 2 million private cars in the country out of a total of 2.5 million vehicles. We do not have smoking in the other 500,000 vehicles because they are regarded as workplaces and, accordingly, we do not smoke...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 May 2012)

Sean Barrett: Arising from the points made by Senators MacSharry and Bradford, we are moving towards a stimulus package, with the French election results confirming that. It is important the package actually stimulates and we do not end up bankrolling bankers, bureaucrats and builders and end up with empty airports, hotels and golf courses. This must be done skilfully so I ask the Deputy Leader and the...

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Second Stage (3 May 2012)

Sean Barrett: I join Senators Mooney and Comiskey in welcoming the Minister. I thank him for initiating the Bill and welcome his openness to considering amendments Members may put forward. The reference to 1911 in the Bill must date back to the era of Horace Plunkett, one of the great figures in public life then. Given that we will commemorate so much in the next few years, it occurred to me that the...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 May 2012)

Sean Barrett: I raise the issue of the Revised Estimate for the Office of the Attorney General, about which Members have received papers in the recent past. Its budget will increase by 12%, with increases of 11% and 9% on administration and pay, respectively, as well as provision for 5% more employees. I speak in the context of the difficulties being experienced by all offices at present and the worrying...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 May 2012)

Sean Barrett: Moreover, the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, is working to reduce such costs. I also note material is available that in the last review, the office created 13% fewer files and 53% fewer amendments, while Bills had 60% fewer sections. However, in the context of the comprehensive public expenditure review, the attempts to get value for money and the advice from the IMF...

Seanad: Report of Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector: Statements, Questions and Answers (1 May 2012)

Sean Barrett: I wish to share my time with Senator Rónán Mullen.

Seanad: Report of Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector: Statements, Questions and Answers (1 May 2012)

Sean Barrett: I welcome the Minister to the House. I was pleased to hear on "Morning Ireland" that the debating DNA of the Quinn family has been passed on to the next generation. We look forward to the Minister's son addressing the Seanad in the future. I am sure the Seanad will be retained because of debates such as this. The 2006-2011 census shows a population increase of 8.2 %. I compliment the...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 May 2012)

Sean Barrett: I note the report by the Central Bank today which maintains that house prices in Ireland have over-corrected, having decreased by between 12% and 26%, which is interesting research. However, at least three people on the opposite side of the argument, Mr. Derek Braun, Mr. Ronan Lyons and Mr. David McWilliams, say that house prices in Ireland remain too high. It is important that we do not...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 May 2012)

Sean Barrett: This matter was raised on the Adjournment by Senator Darragh O'Brien. The Minister, Deputy Varadkar, said that he is delighted this matter has been finally resolved. I compliment him on having the Fry Model Railway returned to where it should always have been.

Seanad: Protection of Employees (Temporary Agency Work) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (27 Apr 2012)

Sean Barrett: I support the sentiments of my colleagues. The appreciation of the Minister by the House is now unanimous.