Results 801-820 of 5,732 for speaker:Fidelma Healy Eames

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (18 Dec 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: It is a fix. That is very evident.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Community Development Projects (11 Dec 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I thank the Minister of State for his reply although I must say it is worrying because there are several major faux pastherein. The Minister of State said that the "preferred route" is mapped out but Victor Cooney, on behalf of the NRA, has said that it is just a "proposed route" and that the authority is open to other options. The Minister of State made one point which gives me a little...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Community Development Projects (11 Dec 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I thank the Minister of State for that reply. I appreciate that my concerns and those of the farmers have been put on the record of the House.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Community Development Projects (11 Dec 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: It is great that the Minister of State is present, because he is a man who understands the issues of the west of Ireland. I wish to discuss the proposed greenway from Dublin to Galway. There is no issue with the Dublin to Athlone portion, but there is a problem with the stretch from Athlone to Galway. There is a rumour - which appears to have some foundation - that has angered landowners,...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Community Development Projects (11 Dec 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: It used an existing route, but the Minister can refer to that. The point is that we must ensure issues such as insurance and liability are covered and there is nothing in that regard that could affect people's private property. What about tourists who stray off the route and go onto people's private property? Where does liability lie in that case? What about farms where there are four...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (11 Dec 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I accept what the Minister of State is saying about the spirit of the proposal, which is good. It is, however, something of an excuse to say we do not use the Finance Bill as a reason to prepare reports. I published the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2014. It is on the Order Paper, but it has not been accepted for discussion because I am not part of a group. Senator Paul...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (11 Dec 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I am not withdrawing it, but I would like to-----

Seanad: Finance Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (11 Dec 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: What would the cost be in respect of a figure of €1,000 at the top rate of tax?

Seanad: Finance Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (11 Dec 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: What about the income threshold?

Seanad: Finance Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (11 Dec 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I know but it is an amendment that has been tabled. The Minister should not dismiss it because Senator Bradford and myself are no longer in Fine Gael or on the Government side.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (11 Dec 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Accept it because it needs to be done. Accept it because it is the right thing to do, and give me a reason not to push it to a vote.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (11 Dec 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I second the recommendation.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (11 Dec 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I move recommendation No. 3: In page 11, between lines 18 and 19, to insert the following: "3. That within 3 months of the passing of this Bill, the Minister will lay a report before the Houses setting out options for taxation changes that would allow for a significant increase in income thresholds (currently €32,800) at the top rate of tax.".

Seanad: Finance Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (11 Dec 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: This recommendation provides that within three months of the passing of this Bill, the Minister will lay a report before the Houses setting out options for taxation changes that would allow for a significant increase in income thresholds at the top rate of tax. The current income threshold is €32,800 and it kicks in at 41%. I fully accept that once this Bill is passed, the threshold...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (11 Dec 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: OK. The House knows what I mean - giving people their say. In Germany, which is the country we seem encouraged to look up to so much and which riles people in this country due to the fact that we bailed out its banking system, the top tax rate only kicks in at €225,000. That is seven times the figure here. I asked myself what would be fair here so I looked at the average industrial...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I apologise to the Deputy Leader for being unable to be present for the statements on the care home yesterday evening. My one question, which the Deputy Leader might put to the Minister as something that would form part of any inquiry, is to establish in some way why staff acted like that. It is unbelievable that so many coalesced in that and as to why the staff acted like that, I heard...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: ----- and with the experience he is bringing is an amazing man. However, it really has touched me that at present, there is no one to check any private health establishment in Ireland, including private hospitals and private nursing homes. I have approached the Ombudsman about something else in this area over which he had no remit. He has come back with a different slant this morning and I...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Áras Attracta, gabh mo leithscéal. The Deputy Leader is dead right as it is important to be correct. Finally, I note the Cathaoirleach was present this morning and I wish to compliment Senator Mullen on the fine job he did and the experience he brought to Members this morning in telling them about Mary's Meals.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: To be honest, I was deeply touched by it and I hope to be able to do something for this in Galway in the future. It is about human dignity and is about human rights in action. It is about a meal a day and with a breakfast being the route from poverty into education to freedom. I say well done to the Senator.

Seanad: Role of Culture and Arts in Irish Society: Motion (10 Dec 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I welcome the Minister and thank Senator Susan O'Keeffe for raising this matter in the House. The Minister is in office at an interesting time for the arts, given that Yeats2015 was launched last week and that we are on the cusp of a new year. In many ways, the arts and culture equate to people's identity. Self-actualisation begins when one can express oneself through and experience the...