Results 4,681-4,700 of 4,908 for speaker:Diarmuid Wilson

Seanad: West Link Toll Bridge: Motion. (23 Mar 2005)

Diarmuid Wilson: On, or shortly after, his appointment, Mr. Costello contacted the head of the Department of Transport and informed him that the then Government was not in the business of building racetracks for plutocrats.

Seanad: West Link Toll Bridge: Motion. (23 Mar 2005)

Diarmuid Wilson: There would be no need for this debate if Mr. Costello's philosophy had been followed this evening.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (2 Mar 2005)

Diarmuid Wilson: I welcome the Minister and his officials back to the House. I am pleased to second this Bill. It provides for the introduction of a series of social welfare improvements announced in the budget in December 2004. It also provides for a number of amendments to the Pensions Act 1990. The Minister has done a marvellous job in securing the largest ever budget for his Department in the history of...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (2 Mar 2005)

Diarmuid Wilson: Senator Terry should listen for a moment.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (2 Mar 2005)

Diarmuid Wilson: In 1995 the Senator's party, along with the Labour Party and the then Democratic Left, had the opportunity to put its rhetoric into practice.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (2 Mar 2005)

Diarmuid Wilson: They failed to do so and they not only failed but failed miserably. I remind the Senator, while she is in listening mode, that £1.80 was the sum received by pensioners from her Government in 1995. In the three budgets for which that Government was responsible, pensioners were given the enormous amount of £3.80. The Senator should not come into this House on behalf of her party and try to...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (2 Mar 2005)

Diarmuid Wilson: The Senator obviously did not listen.

Seanad: Regional Transport Policy: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Diarmuid Wilson: They are on the way. It takes time to train them.

Seanad: Regional Transport Policy: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Diarmuid Wilson: It takes time to train people. One cannot simply ask them to wear a uniform and then deploy them.

Seanad: Regional Transport Policy: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Diarmuid Wilson: I agree with that.

Seanad: Regional Transport Policy: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Diarmuid Wilson: The tracks are in much better condition than when Fine Gael was in power.

Seanad: Job Losses. (26 Jan 2005)

Diarmuid Wilson: This is the first opportunity I have had to congratulate Deputy Killeen on his appointment as Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. I wish him well in the years ahead. What steps will be taken to secure replacement jobs in view of the closure of Ezy Koter Limited, Virginia, County Cavan? This is a pressing issue. Last week, the announcement of the pending...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (16 Dec 2004)

Diarmuid Wilson: I welcome the allocation of €13.6 million to MABS. We are all aware of people in a financial vicious circle who have availed of the service. There was no light at the end of the tunnel for them until they consulted the local MABS office. This money is being well spent. The Minister said that this year's allocation related to 52 centres nationwide. Funding has now been allocated for an...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (15 Dec 2004)

Diarmuid Wilson: I wish to share my time with Senator White.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (15 Dec 2004)

Diarmuid Wilson: I welcome the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Brennan, and his officials to the House. This is the first opportunity I have had to welcome him publicly in his new capacity. On behalf of the people of Cavan, in particular, I pay tribute to him for the work he achieved formerly as Minister for Transport. The Bill provides for the introduction of a series of social welfare...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (15 Dec 2004)

Diarmuid Wilson: I remind the House that in 1995, Fine Gael, the Labour Party and Proinsias De Rossa's outfit were given the opportunity to put their rhetoric into action.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (15 Dec 2004)

Diarmuid Wilson: They failed to do so.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (15 Dec 2004)

Diarmuid Wilson: In 1995, they awarded £1.80 to pensioners who worked hard to build the economy we have today.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (15 Dec 2004)

Diarmuid Wilson: The three budgets for which they were responsible, from 1995 to 1997, provided an average increase of €3.50 to pensioners. Let us put the record straight and cut out the nonsense. I welcome the largest ever expenditure on social welfare in the history of the State.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (15 Dec 2004)

Diarmuid Wilson: The social welfare budget has risen by €1 billion, which is an increase of 8.8% on last year. The total spending on social welfare has more than doubled since 1997. Payments have increased by three times the expected rate of inflation. A total of 1.5 million people will benefit from social welfare payments weekly. There has been a fourfold increase in child benefit since 1997. The increase...