Results 541-560 of 955 for speaker:Terry Brennan

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Nov 2013)

Terry Brennan: I wish to say a few words on the threatened industrial action by ESB workers that is due to take place nine days before Christmas. It seems an unnecessary dispute.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Nov 2013)

Terry Brennan: The ESB pensions are fully funded until 2018, according to the Pensions Board. I recall that a couple of hundred million euro was injected into the fund less than two years ago but a funding plan must be agreed in order to bring it back to financial health. As we all know many pension funds are in trouble at this time. Nobody in the ESB pension is under threat, no jobs are under threat and...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (26 Nov 2013)

Terry Brennan: I have received many letters from former colleagues of mine who are still working in the ESB. These are very disappointed and dedicated workers who are deeply concerned about how they are being treated, not alone by the Government but also the previous one. All of my former colleagues are compulsory members of a contributory defined benefit pension scheme. It was obligatory for them on...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2013)

Terry Brennan: Many hospice associations throughout the country provide services. Men and women from throughout the country give up their time and take time off work to transport very sick and ill people to various hospitals in Dublin. Those who volunteer consider it an honour and an act of mercy but there is an issue I wish to take up with the Minister for Health. In many cases these people have costs...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: EirGrid Grid25 Project: Discussion (20 Nov 2013)

Terry Brennan: The minimum distance of any pole is the height of the structure plus one metre. It is also depends on the transmission voltage going through the lines. That is policy.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: EirGrid Grid25 Project: Discussion (20 Nov 2013)

Terry Brennan: It is the policy of the ESB.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Nov 2013)

Terry Brennan: There are two of them in the gardens outside Leinster House.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Nov 2013)

Terry Brennan: Some ten days ago I attended the opening of the first phase of a greenway in north County Louth. I have heard a lot about the greenway from Westport to Mulranny and onto Achill. This is a truly magnificent route along the shores of Carlingford Lough, with magnificent views of the Mourne Mountains and Cooley Mountains. I acknowledge the funding of €687,000 received from the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Youth Guarantee: Discussion (6 Nov 2013)

Terry Brennan: I congratulate everybody here today on their presentations. As far as I am concerned the future of our youth is in great hands. As labour market conditions vary from country to country, Ireland cannot simply copy the Scandinavian model. Mr. McKeon said the Department would take on board the better points of that model. What EU funding will be available to Ireland and what is the latest...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Youth Guarantee: Discussion (6 Nov 2013)

Terry Brennan: Does Mr. McKeon any idea how much Ireland will apply for?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Youth Guarantee: Discussion (6 Nov 2013)

Terry Brennan: I have a small question to ask.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Youth Guarantee: Discussion (6 Nov 2013)

Terry Brennan: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Nov 2013)

Terry Brennan: I join the tributes and expressions of goodwill that have been extended to Tom McGrath. I thank him for his contribution to the Oireachtas. I support Senator Ó Clochartaigh's request for the Minister, Deputy Quinn, to come to the House for a major debate on the standard of Irish being taught in national schools throughout this country. Our national tongue is the only difference between...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2013)

Terry Brennan: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire go dtí an Teach. I read recently that a family of two adults and four children could be €4,000 per year better off while in receipt of social welfare than a similarly sized family in which one parent took a job on a minimum wage. This beggars belief and I must ask whether it should not be the other way around. It still is more attractive and...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2013)

Terry Brennan: Very well. In conclusion, reform of the welfare system still is in its early stages and there still is much more to do. The Government is moving to put in place more jobseeker case workers from external service providers. Moreover, the Minister is targeting the welfare traps that prevent families from taking up work and I applaud her for so doing. She is to be congratulated on her...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Nov 2013)

Terry Brennan: I will not delay the House, but I too raise the question of the property tax. The message that should come out from this House is that people who have paid their 2013 property tax should not under any circumstances contemplate paying their property tax for 2014 until January or February of next year. It is as simple as that. I congratulate those who sent out such letters. Nobody could...

Seanad: The One Percent Difference National Giving Campaign: Statements (22 Oct 2013)

Terry Brennan: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire go dtí an Teach. While monetary planned giving in Ireland is low, Irish people are among the highest donors to charity in the developed world, as has already been mentioned by some of my colleagues. A total of 89% of Irish adults give to charity compared to 58% in the UK and 40% in Germany. Although most Irish people give to charity, only 15% do so in...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Oct 2013)

Terry Brennan: Recently the UK Government announced changes to the UK visa application process for visitors from China and the Far East. This is good news for Ireland as it will help to boost the Irish tourism and business sectors. The new visa arrangement will attract more visitors to the UK from China and the Far East. As a consequence, it is likely that more visitors will come to this country from...

Seanad: Budget 2014: Statements (15 Oct 2013)

Terry Brennan: Ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh an Aire go dtí an Seanad. As I said in this House earlier today, 34,000 jobs have been created over the past year. I am glad that job creation is the priority in this budget. This budget confirms the Government's commitment to job creation. I welcome the decision not to change the weekly fuel allowance rates. I am glad that no income tax or...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Oct 2013)

Terry Brennan: I have indeed. This facility is a valued member of the Indorama Group. Getting people off the live register was a main aim of this Government and it proves that what we are doing for job creation is worthwhile.