Results 6,161-6,180 of 6,615 for speaker:Seán Kyne

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Europe's Youth Unemployment Crisis: Discussion (17 Jan 2013)

Seán Kyne: I welcome Mr. Cosgrave. I apologise for being late and for my question in case he answered it in his presentation. He mentioned that not everyone avails of third level education and I agree that not everyone does. Can he comment on the education system and where he would like it to be? He made positive comments about maths and science. What is his view of modern European languages? Do...

Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Jan 2013)

Seán Kyne: The redrawing of boundaries for Dáil constituencies is an issue that can give rise to significant grievances and protests, but it is a necessary part of a political process that takes account of constitutional requirements and census results. I was only two years old when the most infamous changes to Dáil constituencies took place in 1977 and the term "Tullymander" entered the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Grassland Sheep Scheme Eligibility (20 Dec 2012)

Seán Kyne: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a payment under the sheep grassland scheme was recouped by his Department in July 2012 having been paid to a person (details enclosed) in County Galway in February 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57378/12]

Topical Issues: School Curriculum (18 Dec 2012)

Seán Kyne: I welcome some of the initiatives enacted and the increase in the percentage for oral Irish in the leaving certificate. The Minister stated that, without wanting to pre-empt the NCCA report, it is likely the revised curriculum will have a greater emphasis on oral Irish. My concern is the comment of the Minister, as reported, about the amount of time we spend teaching Irish. The Minister...

Topical Issues: School Curriculum (18 Dec 2012)

Seán Kyne: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for facilitating this topical issue debate and welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills, Deputy Ciarán Cannon. As the Minister is aware, recent surveys have found that Irish pupils are doing well generally but are finding certain subjects, such as mathematics and science, more challenging. It is clear we are seeing the early...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Exchange of Views with Mr. Egemen Bagis, Turkish Minister for Europe and Principal Turkish Negotiator for EU Membership. (18 Dec 2012)

Seán Kyne: I welcome Mr. Bagis and the group from Turkey. It is fair to say that there is a certain amount of concern in Europe about a country of Turkey's size coming into the Union and its impact on migration. Would Mr. Bagis say something about the current economic situation in Turkey and the levels of employment and industry there because the last record we have for the population is 74 million?...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Rebates (18 Dec 2012)

Seán Kyne: To ask the Minister for Finance if consideration will be given to extending the diesel rebate for hauliers, as announced in Budget 2013, to the marine transportation sector in recognition of the boost such a measure would have on the expansion of the industry and the economic benefits which will accrue to local, in particular rural, areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56921/12]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Teaching Qualifications (18 Dec 2012)

Seán Kyne: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 152 of 8 November 2012 if teachers employed in substitute positions and in possession of a Masters Degree prior to 4 December 2011 are entitled to the qualification allowance. [56945/12]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services (18 Dec 2012)

Seán Kyne: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will outline the steps a citizen can take when attempting to remedy a problem with broadband internet access which has been provided by the telecommunications company awarded the national broadband scheme contract when efforts to resolve the issue with the company have not progressed. [56948/12]

Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Second Stage (14 Dec 2012)

Seán Kyne: Fianna Fáil got rid of rates.

Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Second Stage (14 Dec 2012)

Seán Kyne: That debate is well known.

Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Second Stage (14 Dec 2012)

Seán Kyne: We have debated this issue in the constituency which Deputy Ó Cuív and I share. Last year Fianna Fáil opposed the flat rate household tax but now it wants to keep that tax and oppose this more progressive tax. There is a slight contradiction in that approach. Sinn Féin's policies in the North differ from its approach in the South. In a partitionist policy, it...

Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Second Stage (14 Dec 2012)

Seán Kyne: It is safe to say that most countries have some form of local property tax or charge and it is an internationally accepted way of funding local service provision. A local property tax is a steady source of income for local authorities. As former members of local authorities, I and many Deputies know that we had very little power in terms of raising local revenue. Other than setting...

Social Welfare Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2012)

Seán Kyne: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important Bill. I believe in and understand the necessity for a social welfare system and have often highlighted the fact that the vast majority of citizens will rely on this system of support at some point in their lives. It is much more than a safety net that helps citizens through hard times. The social protection system does not exist in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: European Issues: Discussion with European Movement Ireland (11 Dec 2012)

Seán Kyne: I welcome Ms O'Connell and Mr. Richmond and thank them for their report. Have they any figures with regard to the role of MEPs in terms of ongoing scrutiny and keeping the public informed and getting the message to them in their constituencies? They mentioned how the Irish Presidency might be perceived by the ambassadors and about asking ambassadors how it is perceived in their countries....

Report of the Expert Group on the Judgment in the A, B and C v. Ireland Case: Statements (Resumed) (6 Dec 2012)

Seán Kyne: I welcome the opportunity to speak on what is a very complex issue. It is evident that this debate, which has been ongoing since 1983, is one which divides the nation like few others. Since my election to Dáil Éireann I have not received as much correspondence on any other issue as this one. The labels of "pro-life" and "pro-choice" are regrettable and do not account for the...

Financial Resolutions 2013 - Financial Resolution No. 15: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2012)

Seán Kyne: In February 2011, the Government - Fine Gael and Labour - received a mandate from the people to regain our economic sovereignty, restore our economy, jobs and investment, and put our country back on the right, sustainable, compassionate path. Budget 2013, although undoubtedly difficult, is part of the process. The Government faces the most challenging task it could face: to rebuild our...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (4 Dec 2012)

Seán Kyne: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if, in the context of on-going concerns about the human rights of Ugandan citizens who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transexual, his views on the need for an EU-wide approach to prevent any human rights abuses in this area. [54460/12]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pensions (4 Dec 2012)

Seán Kyne: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will clarify the situation by which action on reducing or levying substantial State financed pensions is being curtailed on account of past legal interpretation which has placed pensions on a par with property thereby seemingly conferring the same constitutional rights to pensions as exists with property. [54454/12]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Insurance Payments (4 Dec 2012)

Seán Kyne: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if consideration is being given to introducing an option of permitting self-employed persons to voluntarily pay the proportion of PRSI for themselves that is usually paid by employers on behalf of employees and facilitates entitlement to the various supports of the social welfare system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54458/12]