Results 5,181-5,200 of 6,295 for speaker:Michael D'Arcy

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2014)

Michael D'Arcy: It is greedy to do that to people who are prepared to go that little bit further and spend a few euro on such events. We should have a debate in this House to try to bring the conversation back to good business practices, and profiteering is not one of them.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2014)

Michael D'Arcy: I raise the issue of profiteering in many sectors but particularly in the hospitality sector. Last year was a good year for tourism in this State, and The Gathering turned out to be a success. We are facing into the first rugby home match this weekend and in the past on such weekends the price of alcohol throughout Dublin city centre increased. That is wrong. There are good profits to be...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Farm Safety (29 Jan 2014)

Michael D'Arcy: One thing that amazed me following the incident on my farm was the number of people who had said to me they had had a similar incident. To put the matter in context, on every occasion somebody enters such a tank, he or she is likely to die. That is how dangerous it is; one lungful of the poisonous gas will kill. The point I wish to make is that there is nothing in the safety guidelines...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Farm Safety (29 Jan 2014)

Michael D'Arcy: Many of the slurry facilities that were built the best part of 30 years ago are beginning to get old and the number of incidents that occur each year with slatted tanks is greater than we would like. A total of 16 farming deaths took place in 2013. They did not all involve slatted tanks and, thankfully, the number was lower than the previous two years, 21 and 22 respectively. There is...

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (29 Jan 2014)

Michael D'Arcy: In listening to the debate I am reminded of the saying that if one were going somewhere they should not start from here. I am a somewhat of that view in terms of Seanad reform. If the opportunity arose we would not start from here. It is pity previous Governments did not take the opportunity to reform the House. I agree with some of what has been proposed by Senator Zappone and others...

Seanad: Youth Justice Policy: Statements (28 Jan 2014)

Michael D'Arcy: The Minister is welcome back to the House. Today is a landmark day following the decision in the Louise O'Keeffe case at the European Court of Human Rights, with the State being found liable for its inaction to prevent abuse. I am very glad the pretence there was no link to the State has been broken. This was with regard to the State providing all of the funding to build schools and pay...

Seanad: Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (18 Dec 2013)

Michael D'Arcy: I am coming to this Bill very late in the day. The Minister outlined the State agencies and bodies that are covered by the Bill but there are people within those bodies and agencies who are contracted out to do part-time work for local authorities, schools and so on. Are they covered by the legislation and to what extent are they covered?

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2013)

Michael D'Arcy: I remind Members that the NAMA legislation was designed not to be open or transparent. People should remember that. The Minister for Finance does not work for the Garda Síochána or the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. The exclusive role of certain bodies that are in place is to deal with any wrongdoing that might occur.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2013)

Michael D'Arcy: This week marked the 20th anniversary of the Downing Street Declaration. I was in the car the other night listening to the presentation from Iveagh House. I have to say it was one of the better moments in public broadcasting. I listened to the former Prime Minister, John Major. Now that our nation and the United Kingdom are just about at the position of having normal relations for once...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2013)

Michael D'Arcy: Actually, I do not think I need to write to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2013)

Michael D'Arcy: I am putting it on the record of the House that I think 2014 will present a perfect opportunity for the former British Prime Minister, John Major, to address this Chamber on his role and the role of others in this regard.

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2013)

Michael D'Arcy: If the current rate of inflation continues into next year, we will go over the 100% mark, equating to a doubling in a five year period. The costs are doubling and the tax break is available which is why we are moving from hundreds of millions to a figure of €1 billion by 2016. The people on the other side of the House who are criticising the Government for bringing in the types of...

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (12 Dec 2013)

Michael D'Arcy: I thank the Minister for listening to the arguments and giving a commitment that if practical difficulties arise he will return to both Houses of the Oireachtas.

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (12 Dec 2013)

Michael D'Arcy: This is an issue that has caused concern. The 100-days requirement is an encroachment a little too far in my opinion. If the tax credit is ceded to the other partner, in all likelihood they will achieve residency of 100 days or more. Then, we will have Revenue checking how this is done. That is not prudent. Is there a calculation of the cost to the Exchequer of the second and subsequent...

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (12 Dec 2013)

Michael D'Arcy: The Senator was left in the trenches on her own.

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (12 Dec 2013)

Michael D'Arcy: For how long must a person who is not required to reincorporate claim welfare payments?

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Michael D'Arcy: Is Senator Thomas Byrne going to run next year?

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Michael D'Arcy: Yes.

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Michael D'Arcy: There were some promises that we were incapable of fulfilling. This is one we said we would do. Everybody I have spoken to has said that was a good investment of money. The criticism of the pension sector is that it has not reduced its handling fees to lower rates equivalent with pension funds in other jurisdictions. That is a fair criticism.

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Michael D'Arcy: Something else I am very pleased happened is the scrutiny of the stateless corporations. I want the corporations in this country to pay their fair share. I do not want middle Ireland to pay it all. We were criticised in US Senate hearings. There was a debate on whether or not it was fair. I do not know, but we suffered significant reputational damage because of that. We cannot resolve...