Results 581-600 of 5,587 for speaker:Kevin Humphreys

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Oct 2018)

Kevin Humphreys: I urge the Leader to read the minutes.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Oct 2018)

Kevin Humphreys: A second referendum.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Oct 2018)

Kevin Humphreys: It was with disappointment that I heard the announcement about housing homeless people on boats. I have made a recurring speech in this House about Airbnb. The Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government now agrees that we would get 1,000 units back into the rental market if legislation or regulations were introduced. These 1,000 units are badly needed in the housing sector. The...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Oct 2018)

Kevin Humphreys: I welcome the decision yesterday in Washington DC to introduce legislation to regulate Airbnb or short-term lets, an issue I raised in this House on a constant basis over the past 18 months and on which I have been promised action over and over again.The then Minister, Deputy Coveney, set up an internal committee between his Department and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport that...

Seanad: The Transfer of Functions of Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council: Statements (3 Oct 2018)

Kevin Humphreys: What time is this debate due to finish?

Seanad: The Transfer of Functions of Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council: Statements (3 Oct 2018)

Kevin Humphreys: In case that change does not happen I will be very brief in order to allow the Minister time to respond. There is real concern that capital projects are being placed in jeopardy in the council. It is very clear that that is the case. There is a smell about this when a Fine Gael Senator is raising questions that should have been dealt with by the party internally before any order was...

Seanad: Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Gender Pay Gap) Information Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (3 Oct 2018)

Kevin Humphreys: I acknowledge the cross-party support for this Bill, and the hard work and dedication of Senator Bacik in preparing it. It is now on Report Stage. I fully support the sentiment behind the amendment, but I ask Sinn Féin not to press it at this stage. There will be more opportunities to tease it out further. The Senator made a very good point about the class A fine of €5,000. I...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Consumer Protection (Amendment) Bill 2017: Discussion (2 Oct 2018)

Kevin Humphreys: I congratulate Deputy Collins. It is well worth doing. I note that Senator Bacik brought forward a similar gift voucher Bill in 2009. I believe this is in the interests of the small retailer as well because confidence in the gift voucher means it will continue, unlike if it loses that confidence. Two small restaurants opened near my home two years ago and I decided to buy vouchers from...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Consumer Protection (Amendment) Bill 2017: Discussion (2 Oct 2018)

Kevin Humphreys: Mr. Grace mentioned the consultation period during which questions of things such as parachute jumps which have a particular value were raised. Surely there is a simple business decision which involves putting a simple valuation on that voucher that would change practices but it would not have a major impact on businesses. I presume Mr. Grace has taken on board that we are not talking...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Consumer Protection (Amendment) Bill 2017: Discussion (2 Oct 2018)

Kevin Humphreys: Could Mr. Grace make his legal opinion available to this committee so that we can engage in a proper consideration of Deputy Niall Collins proposal?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Consumer Protection (Amendment) Bill 2017: Discussion (2 Oct 2018)

Kevin Humphreys: That is why I asked for it. I did not think the Attorney General's office would be offering advice on it at this stage. It is an internal matter for the Department.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Consumer Protection (Amendment) Bill 2017: Discussion (2 Oct 2018)

Kevin Humphreys: If it is a minor matter, it is possible to amend the Bill before the committee.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Consumer Protection (Amendment) Bill 2017: Discussion (2 Oct 2018)

Kevin Humphreys: It would be very helpful to the committee to have information on how we could amend the Bill before us. There has been much work done on it and I would like to see it progress. If we could be given practical examples of amendments that would allow the Bill to progress, it would be helpful.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Consumer Protection (Amendment) Bill 2017: Discussion (2 Oct 2018)

Kevin Humphreys: I am very happy with the answer I received. It is a roadway-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Consumer Protection (Amendment) Bill 2017: Discussion (2 Oct 2018)

Kevin Humphreys: -----to go forward. I am finished asking questions and I am happy with the response the officials have given me.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Consumer Protection (Amendment) Bill 2017: Discussion (2 Oct 2018)

Kevin Humphreys: It is really helpful to the committee in progressing this.

Seanad: Electoral Commission: Statements (27 Sep 2018)

Kevin Humphreys: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I do not intend to repeat all of the points that have been made because Senator Ruane has covered the vast majority of issues that need to be raised. The first memorandum on establishing an electoral commission went to Cabinet in September 1996. That gives us an idea of how long this matter has been knocking around. It got caught up in...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2018)

Kevin Humphreys: Following that, while I accept that there is a real issue in rural areas regarding the school transport service, what must be reviewed at the same time is school catchment areas. Sometimes catchment areas do not overlap correctly with the result that children are refused access to schools. It is a real and urgent matter that we must deal with. We will have to see the Minister work with the...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2018)

Kevin Humphreys: It is a problem nationwide.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (26 Sep 2018)

Kevin Humphreys: Due to confusion with two Senators voting the wrong way on this occasion and the previous vote where there was some confusion over how Sinn Féin was voting, I am calling a walk through vote.