Results 5,121-5,140 of 6,295 for speaker:Michael D'Arcy

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Nov 2014)

Michael D'Arcy: It was clear from the Garda Inspectorate report that members of An Garda Síochána dealing with domestic violence did not really understand what they were dealing with, and the short, medium and long-term impacts on the victims were simply not considered. When one considers that 11,000 cases were reported last year and that there were 248 arrests, it means only approximately 2% of...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Nov 2014)

Michael D'Arcy: Now that we are into the long dark winter nights, people find they are no longer safe in their homes and this is a real concern. The level of criminality in the Traveller community is now out of control. It is important to qualify this statement, because I do not want anybody to say I am against Travellers. I certainly am not. However, it is not acceptable that one sector of society seems...

Seanad: European Stability Mechanism (Amendment) Bill 2014: Second Stage (21 Oct 2014)

Michael D'Arcy: I welcome the Minister for Finance back to the Seanad. When I was reviewing my notes on the European Stability Mechanism Bill 2012, much of what the Minister had predicted he could do after the establishment of the European Stability Mechanism, ESM, following the fiscal treaty and agreements at home and abroad, he had done, all to the satisfaction of the taxpayer. He is to be commended for...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Oct 2014)

Michael D'Arcy: On a point of order, every speaker to date in this debate has tried to stay away from politicising this, except Senator Cullinane.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Oct 2014)

Michael D'Arcy: We do not know that.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Oct 2014)

Michael D'Arcy: I will begin by supporting Senator O'Brien's request for a debate on child abuse. This is something that is better discussed in the open. It is something that unfortunately I know too much about, being from County Wexford and from the diocese of Ferns. The natural instinct for every institution is to cover it up. That is always the wrong thing to do. I support the call for the Minister...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Oct 2014)

Michael D'Arcy: Being a politician is somewhat irrelevant, but given that this man was one of the giants of 20th century Irish history, this act should be condemned in the most severe manner. It is a scandal for that to have happened and even worse, to some degree, on the same occasion that An Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny, is launching a book about W.T. Cosgrave.

Seanad: Joint Policing Committees: Motion (15 Oct 2014)

Michael D'Arcy: I speak in favour of the motion. It is a good motion. I speak as somebody who was a member of the joint policing committee for Gorey when Gorey was a policing district and I want to raise the matter of the mergers that happened on the previous Minister's watch. The attempt to reduce and downsize, of which I have practical experience in my area, is counterproductive on the basis that when...

Seanad: Budget 2015: Statements (14 Oct 2014)

Michael D'Arcy: I wish to inform the House that the time allowed for this debate will be extended. The Leader will be in the House shortly to arrange same.

Seanad: Budget 2015: Statements (14 Oct 2014)

Michael D'Arcy: I will try to arrange it if I can.

Seanad: Budget 2015: Statements (14 Oct 2014)

Michael D'Arcy: I will be obliged to motor through some of my points. The windfall tax of 80% was of no benefit as 80% of nothing is nothing. I am certainly delighted to see the reduction of the capital gains tax rate back to normality, that is, to 33%. As for the people who will be removed from the universal social charge net, by my calculations this will affect more than 330,000 people on the very first...

Seanad: Budget 2015: Statements (14 Oct 2014)

Michael D'Arcy: I am aware of that.

Seanad: Budget 2015: Statements (14 Oct 2014)

Michael D'Arcy: I welcome the reduction of the levy to 0.15% and that this will also be extinguished. I am always amazed by that figure and Senator Darragh O'Brien is correct to state that €2 billion was taken from people's pension pots. However, we chose to ignore that and commentators throughout the State chose to ignore a €2 billion deduction. However, as the Minister, Deputy Noonan, has...

Seanad: Budget 2015: Statements (14 Oct 2014)

Michael D'Arcy: I will finish my time.

Seanad: Budget 2015: Statements (14 Oct 2014)

Michael D'Arcy: If the Chair does not mind, I will finish now. The DIRT refund scheme is a benefit. Last week, the Central Bank made an impact on the commercial banks to ensure the mayhem and the carnage does not-----

Seanad: Budget 2015: Statements (14 Oct 2014)

Michael D'Arcy: If the Chair does not mind, I will just conclude.

Seanad: Budget 2015: Statements (14 Oct 2014)

Michael D'Arcy: Just a moment, Chair, thank you very much.

Seanad: Budget 2015: Statements (14 Oct 2014)

Michael D'Arcy: I will conclude, if the Acting Chairman will allow me to so do.

Seanad: Budget 2015: Statements (14 Oct 2014)

Michael D'Arcy: I am being fair as well.

Seanad: Budget 2015: Statements (14 Oct 2014)

Michael D'Arcy: What I believe to be of real benefit is people will be given the opportunity to provide the deposit, in order that they can purchase and become home owners like many other people in the State.