Results 661-680 of 2,092 for speaker:Pat Casey

Seanad: Finance Bill 2020: Committee Stage (11 Dec 2020)

Pat Casey: I agree with many of the sentiments expressed by Senator Higgins regarding the operation of REITs. The problem with the Finance Bill is that it leads one on to other issues of principle. At one time, REITs played a role in the market and were considered to be part of the housing solution but it has evolved into something bigger and is actually causing more problems than it is providing...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2020: Second Stage (8 Dec 2020)

Pat Casey: I welcome the Minister of State back to the House, and I promise I will not mention the VAT refund scheme today. I will leave him alone on that issue. The economy is going through a turbulent time, with the two most dramatic impacts which none of us probably ever believed we would be dealing with, namely, Brexit and Covid-19. These impacts have disproportionate effects on different...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (3 Dec 2020)

Pat Casey: I wish to raise the issue of the hospitality and tourism sector. I am disappointed to have to do so. The whole sector has been treated very badly this week. I have always called for any decisions made by governments to be based on the evidence. No evidence has been presented to our sector for the strategy the Government has taken. While I accept that public health has to be front and...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2020)

Pat Casey: Do I move amendment No. 7 now? It is grouped with this amendment.

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2020)

Pat Casey: The amendments all relate to the same issue. The VAT refund scheme was introduced in 1985 and was one of the most incisive decisions ever for the promotion of tourism in Ireland. I am concerned that the Department does not fully understand the impact this scheme continues to have on the economy. I am very concerned about the €75 threshold. Senator Buttimer mentioned Blarney Woollen...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2020)

Pat Casey: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. This is about the principle of the VAT refund scheme, not whether the threshold is set at €175, €75 or €50. It is about a scheme that has operated successfully for 35 years, including last year. It engages with over 3.2 million visitors. What have they done wrong to be so disenfranchised? Visitors have availed of this...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2020)

Pat Casey: I will probably end up going over some of the same points. Does the Minister of State understand my point? Will he accept that we are clearly disenfranchising the owners of small, independent craft shops across the country with this €75 threshold? They will be the most impacted. I would like him and the Minister for Finance to accept that these are the people this will affect. I...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2020)

Pat Casey: I do not understand why this specific part of the Bill has to be rushed through. We are looking at an industry that has been decimated this year. There will probably not be an English or overseas visitor here before June next year anyway. Where is the panic? Where is the urgency?Why are we rushing this? As Senator Chambers said, why can we not pause this and get further detailed analysis...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2020)

Pat Casey: We have all heard it said that two wrongs do not make a right. As Senator Chambers alluded to, the previous Brexit Bill was emergency legislation and this level of focus was not put on it. We are focusing on it now. We are identifying the weaknesses in it and putting our case to Government. Again our heads are on the guillotine and we are told that we have to have this done next week....

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2020)

Pat Casey: I will not delay the House too long. I have said nearly everything I could say at this stage. I again express my disappointment that the Government is not willing to accept any amendments, even those from its partners in the Government. I know the Minister of State referred to the fact that no amendment relating to the collective spend was tabled, but I think the result would have been the...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2020)

Pat Casey: Is the amendment being pressed?

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2020)

Pat Casey: Amendments Nos. 9 to 11, inclusive, may be discussed together.

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2020)

Pat Casey: Amendments Nos. 14 to 16, inclusive, will be discussed together.

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020: Second Stage (1 Dec 2020)

Pat Casey: Senator Currie has ten minutes.

Seanad: Credit Union Restructuring Board (Dissolution) Bill 2019: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2020)

Pat Casey: Now.

Seanad: Credit Union Restructuring Board (Dissolution) Bill 2019: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2020)

Pat Casey: Now.

Seanad: Finance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2020)

Pat Casey: Now.

Seanad: Finance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2020)

Pat Casey: Now.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Authority Rates (26 Nov 2020)

Pat Casey: I welcome the Minister of State back to the House today. One of the greatest challenges for us is how we attract people into public life. When it comes to councillors there are two real components, one of which is their pay and conditions. We have all made our contributions on that. I believe at this stage it has gone above all our pay grades in this House and sits at another level....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Authority Rates (26 Nov 2020)

Pat Casey: I thank the Minister of State for the clarification. It is good news that the waiver will be available for the 2022 budgetary process. Nevertheless, on top of what he outlined, there needs to be education for councillors as to what they can and cannot do in respect of the process. The ones I have spoken to were not fully aware of section 15 and the power it gives them. Even if that...