Results 721-740 of 904 for speaker:Ray Butler

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Child Care Services (17 Oct 2012)

Ray Butler: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on childcare policy in the context of her own Department's role in this area, with particular reference to recent consultation with other Departments, her recent visit to Sweden, any proposals she intends to bring forward; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45152/12]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Relations (11 Oct 2012)

Ray Butler: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his position in respect of trade with Israel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44013/12]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Defined Pension Benefit Schemes Issues (11 Oct 2012)

Ray Butler: To ask the Minister for Social Protection her policy regarding defined benefit pension schemes; the changes, if any, that have been introduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44014/12]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Hydraulic Fracturing Policy (11 Oct 2012)

Ray Butler: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his policy in respect of hydraulic fracturing; if he will provide an update on any recent decisions in respect of licensing and policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44012/12]

Order of Business (10 Oct 2012)

Ray Butler: When is it expected that the criminal justice (proceeds of crime) Bill, to strengthen the powers of CAB in forfeiting the proceeds of crime, will be published? Naturally, one of the big issues would be the smuggling that is having a significant effect on this country.

Order of Business (10 Oct 2012)

Ray Butler: He is asking about kite flying.

Leaders' Questions (9 Oct 2012)

Ray Butler: We could ask Seánie Fitzpatrick if he was not in court.

Leaders' Questions (9 Oct 2012)

Ray Butler: He is the Deputy's friend.

Leaders' Questions (9 Oct 2012)

Ray Butler: The Deputy is like Bilbo Baggins over there.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Entitlements for Self-Employed: Discussion with Self-Employed Alliance Dundalk (3 Oct 2012)

Ray Butler: When we first addressed this matter I asked a question of the Department of Social Protection about getting a stamp for self-employed people and the figure quoted had a rate in the high 20s. Now the rate is at 17%. This is pie in the sky so we should see what the working group produces and move forward.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Entitlements for Self-Employed: Discussion with Self-Employed Alliance Dundalk (3 Oct 2012)

Ray Butler: I thank the Chairman for inviting the group and the representatives of the Department of Social Protection for coming in. It is a long road we must travel and we are getting there slowly. I think all Senators and Deputies are singing from the same hymn sheet. This is a work in progress.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Entitlements for Self-Employed: Discussion with Self-Employed Alliance Dundalk (3 Oct 2012)

Ray Butler: The self-employed need clarity. As self-employed people, our accountants do our books, we pay what we must to Revenue and we pay for our stamps. We receive receipts from Revenue and in respect of our stamps, but are not told what "class S" stands for. When we were in-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Entitlements for Self-Employed: Discussion with Self-Employed Alliance Dundalk (3 Oct 2012)

Ray Butler: Yes, but self-employed people are busy. What "class S" means should be written on their receipts. The Department could do this. When we were county councillors, we were all on class K stamps, which is a different type of stamp. When I closed my business and sought to find out whether I was entitled to the family income supplement, FIS, I had to wait 25 weeks for a decision. I did not...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Entitlements for Self-Employed: Discussion with Self-Employed Alliance Dundalk (3 Oct 2012)

Ray Butler: I welcome the delegates. It is great to see them making a presentation. Their concerns comprise one of the most significant issues that arose on the doorsteps during the last general election campaign. I had a shoe shop for 24 years and have been self-employed all my life. It is disappointing to see so many doors being shut and a lack of information. Self-employed people really do not...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Policy to Minimise Unemployment: Discussion with Department of Social Protection (3 Oct 2012)

Ray Butler: I would have to agree Ms Kennedy. My constituency office has dealt with two cases and they were told not to deregister.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Policy to Minimise Unemployment: Discussion with Department of Social Protection (3 Oct 2012)

Ray Butler: I thank the witnesses for their presentation. I welcome the work being done by the working group at present and look forward to its results being issued. It is long overdue because the group was due to get back to us last year but, hopefully, that will happen in November. There has to be a way forward with regard to the self-employed because there is no incentive to be self-employed in...

Order of Business (2 Oct 2012)

Ray Butler: I will bring some normality back to the House.

Order of Business (2 Oct 2012)

Ray Butler: I thank Deputy McGrath. When is publication expected of the gambling control Bill? I refer especially to the gambling done on websites. Facebook put up a website in England and we could have the same site in Ireland. Many young people are on Facebook and we need control of websites and gambling.

Resignation of Minister of State: Statement (27 Sep 2012)

Ray Butler: Deputy Mattie McGrath would want to be quiet because nobody will be looking for any work from him as all his family members have taken the jobs.

Order of Business (26 Sep 2012)

Ray Butler: When can we expect to see publication of the housing Bill to strengthen the regulatory framework for social housing? We were left with a framework by the previous Administration. In certain local authority areas Mystic Meg would not know a person was on the housing waiting list. We definitely need a new framework.