Results 501-520 of 5,311 for speaker:Tom Hayes

Forestry Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (17 Sep 2014)

Tom Hayes: I move amendment No. 41f:In page 15, line 8, to delete “concerned”.

Forestry Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (17 Sep 2014)

Tom Hayes: I will discuss amendments Nos. 42, 48 to 50, inclusive, 50a, 51, 52, 52a, 52b and 53 together. The issue of timelines and the issuing of felling licences was raised on Committee Stage and in my discussions with representatives of the industry and growers. I have made a significant change to the Bill by placing an objective timeline of four months for the issuing of felling licences. In some...

Topical Issue Debate: Beef Industry (17 Sep 2014)

Tom Hayes: Again, I categorically assure the House that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine continuously monitors all meat and animals that enter the food chain, on a post-mortem and ante-mortem basis. In meat factories animals are examined, checked and watched, as happened in this case. The Deputy received a very detailed briefing on the issue from the Department of Agriculture, Food...

Topical Issue Debate: Beef Industry (17 Sep 2014)

Tom Hayes: The Deputy received a detailed briefing on it from the Department's officials.

Topical Issue Debate: Beef Industry (17 Sep 2014)

Tom Hayes: I thank the Deputy. It is very important. We do not need hysteria about the beef industry. People's livelihoods depend on it. Families up and down the country are at their wits' end to survive in this business. The last thing we want is somebody blackening the name of the industry, as the Deputy tried to do.

Topical Issue Debate: Beef Industry (17 Sep 2014)

Tom Hayes: I assure everybody that at all times the Department carries out inspections to ensure only the best, properly checked beef enters the food chain. The Department inspects it continuously, on an hourly, daily and weekly basis. The Deputy knows this and we should all acknowledge it. We demand the best quality beef and that is what we sell. We have made a name for ourselves all over the world...

Topical Issue Debate: Rural Environment Protection Scheme Eligibility (17 Sep 2014)

Tom Hayes: I acknowledge that there is a great deal of concern among many people living in rural Ireland. The Minister and I and our departmental officials are committed to the rural development programme, which was fought for long and hard. It was difficult to get the matching funding, but it was achieved, and the last thing we want is for the scheme to fail. There is a great deal of hysteria about...

Topical Issue Debate: Rural Environment Protection Scheme Eligibility (17 Sep 2014)

Tom Hayes: This can be worked through. It is unfair for people to say this is unworkable and that rural Ireland will collapse. We have committed significant money to this scheme and we want it to work fairly. There is an opportunity to make it work fairly. At departmental level we want it work, and we will talk to people and help them to get over the line if other aspects of this need to change....

Topical Issue Debate: Beef Industry (17 Sep 2014)

Tom Hayes: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. The beef sector is hugely important to the economy. We have acknowledged that, and most of our time over the past number of months has been spent trying to solve problems and deal with the issues in the sector. Last year, beef exports accounted for just under €2.1 billion, reflecting a 5% increase in output and a 4% increase in average...

Topical Issue Debate: Rural Environment Protection Scheme Eligibility (17 Sep 2014)

Tom Hayes: I thank the Deputy for raising this Topical Issue and giving me time to clarify some of the issues involved in what is a very complex matter for many. The Minister is away at a jobs announcement in Tullamore in the drinks industry. That is the way we do business. I want to be helpful, if at all possible. GLAS is designed around a tiered approach and the tiers are based on a consideration...

Betting (Amendment) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (17 Jul 2014)

Tom Hayes: Increasing the rates is a budgetary issue that can be dealt with. I will relay the Deputy's concerns to the Minister. As the points he makes are quite relevant, hopefully the Government will get to them in the future.

Betting (Amendment) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (17 Jul 2014)

Tom Hayes: With regard to amendment No. 8, while there has traditionally been a link between revenues accruing from betting taxes and the allocation to the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund, there is no hypothecation of these revenues. All receipts from betting will go to the Exchequer. The funding of the horse and greyhound industries is primarily a matter for discussion between the Minister for...

Betting (Amendment) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (17 Jul 2014)

Tom Hayes: It is important to level the playing field and all sectors need to be sorted out. The enactment of the Bill will help in levelling the playing field. Regarding the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund, we should not underestimate the value of horseracing, HRI and Bord na gCon to rural economies. There has been considerable action in respect of Bord na gCon in recent weeks and it has been dealt...

Betting (Amendment) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (17 Jul 2014)

Tom Hayes: The Deputy should be aware that the EU VAT directive provides for an exemption for betting, lotteries and other forms of gambling subject to conditions and limitations laid down by each member state. In Ireland, the Value-Added Tax Consolidation Act provides that bets placed with bookmakers or on the tote are exempt from VAT. European Court of Justice jurisprudence has confirmed the...

Betting (Amendment) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (17 Jul 2014)

Tom Hayes: I am sorry the Deputy is not happy with the responses he has received but, as he stated, we are dealing with a new ball game particularly with regard to VAT. If it is okay with the Deputy, I suggest Revenue officials deal with some of the Deputy's queries and this might be helpful in solving some of the issues. It is not possible for me to get into the exact details.

Betting (Amendment) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (17 Jul 2014)

Tom Hayes: The gambling control Bill will be before the House early next year and I will pass on to officials Deputy Michael McGrath's desire to see it here earlier. This might happen. The issues raised by Deputy Doherty can be discussed when the Bill is before the House.

Betting (Amendment) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (17 Jul 2014)

Tom Hayes: I do not wish to repeat myself, but I wish to make it clear that is the intention in the Bill.

Betting (Amendment) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (17 Jul 2014)

Tom Hayes: Section 32 of the Betting Act 1931 deals with the prohibition of advertising relating to betting on football games and provides that, other than in the case of the distribution of advertising by the registered proprietor of a registered premises in such premises, "it shall not be lawful for any person to write, print, publish or knowingly circulate any advertisement, circular or coupon...

Betting (Amendment) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (17 Jul 2014)

Tom Hayes: The Betting (Amendment) Bill is an interim measure, pending the enactment of the gambling control Bill, which is due to be published in early 2015. One of the fundamental principles underpinning the gambling control Bill is the protection of minors and other vulnerable persons. That Bill will make clear the responsibilities of licensed operators when it comes to ensuring to that these...

Betting (Amendment) Bill 2013: Order for Report Stage (17 Jul 2014)

Tom Hayes: I move: "That Report Stage be taken now."