Results 4,841-4,860 of 5,173 for speaker:Joe O'Reilly

Seanad: School Accommodation (27 Feb 2009)

Joe O'Reilly: I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive reply and welcome the fact that the very urgently required improvement works to the school building will be done as soon as possible. The emergency works will need to be substantial and, having gone through the building, I know it is in bad condition. I would like a commitment to the entire project as soon as possible because the building...

Seanad: School Accommodation (27 Feb 2009)

Joe O'Reilly: That would be in addition to the outlined commitment.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages. (27 Feb 2009)

Joe O'Reilly: I support Senator Norris who has raised an extraordinarily serious matter. This is something fundamental that may put the entire legislation at risk. His concerns are worthy of a full response from the Minister as it is a serious matter.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages. (27 Feb 2009)

Joe O'Reilly: I seek clarification on a matter. It was stated that judges' pay and remuneration is not within the discretion——

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages. (27 Feb 2009)

Joe O'Reilly: I want to ask a question on the amendment. Were we to be in a position in which, please God, we never will but we must anticipate every eventuality, we did not have money to pay the judges, would there have to be a referendum to decide to pay them and the amount they should be paid? What would we do if the coffers ran out?

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages. (27 Feb 2009)

Joe O'Reilly: I support the amendment. It arises from the inherent unfairness of the legislation which will hit the lower paid specifically. The levy, as the amendment identifies, will be on income that is not related to pensions, including overtime payments. In some instances, those paying the levy will not be benefiting from a pension while others will be benefiting disproportionately. The levy is...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages. (27 Feb 2009)

Joe O'Reilly: ——and not put the farmers at a disadvantage in the process. On the amendment, we cannot allow an anomaly whereby the little bit of money earned in overtime by a low-paid office worker will be taxed if it will not have a bearing on his pension.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages. (27 Feb 2009)

Joe O'Reilly: Can I make a point of order?

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages. (27 Feb 2009)

Joe O'Reilly: I wish to ask a brief question of the Minister. Does he consider that if a farmer had a——

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages. (27 Feb 2009)

Joe O'Reilly: No, it does not.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages. (27 Feb 2009)

Joe O'Reilly: If a farmer owes tax, he must pay interest. Should the reverse not apply?

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages. (27 Feb 2009)

Joe O'Reilly: Senator Burke raised a matter with me in informal discussions that I know he is concerned about but his role as Leas-Chathaoirleach precludes him from participating in the debate. The matter he would wish to raise, and on which I empathise and take a strong view, relates to local authority members. Under the legislation they will pay the pension levy. Does that mean there is an implicit——

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages. (27 Feb 2009)

Joe O'Reilly: I refer to members. They will pay the levy on their salaries. Does that mean there is an implicit acceptance that there will be a pension scheme for local authority members, for which they have justifiably lobbied for a long time? Surely we are conceding the principle if we are going to levy them for a pension. I accept the Minister cannot announce the detail of the scheme today but I...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages. (27 Feb 2009)

Joe O'Reilly: I note my colleagues on the Opposition benches may support this also.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages. (27 Feb 2009)

Joe O'Reilly: I take encouragement from the acceptance by the Minister of the principle and our ambition to get the pension in place.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Feb 2009)

Joe O'Reilly: I have the height of personal regard and respect for Senator Harris and his intellectual prowess. One of the most enjoyable experiences I ever had was to spend some days on a course he taught.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Feb 2009)

Joe O'Reilly: I believe, however, that Senator Harris's analysis of where we are today has one fundamental flaw. He missed one dimension from the debate, which I will put to the Leader. The people who are outside the gates of Leinster House today, the people who marched last Saturday and those who are agitated all over the country are not agitated or marching because they do not believe there is a...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Feb 2009)

Joe O'Reilly: The Government missed a great political opportunity when it introduced the much heralded budget last autumn. It should have front-loaded the cuts then in a fair way. What is wrong is that we have not got at the tax exiles——

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Feb 2009)

Joe O'Reilly: I am coming to the question.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Feb 2009)

Joe O'Reilly: I formally second the proposition by Senator Norris that we amend Standing Orders to have a rolling debate on the economy every day for an hour. It is not fair that we have not got to the tax exiles or the people with exorbitant salaries and bonuses. It is not fair that we have not got to those with privilege and wealth. If the Government starts with privilege, wealth and those at the top,...