Results 10,881-10,900 of 11,979 for speaker:Billy Kelleher

Banking System: Motion (Resumed) (13 May 2009)

Billy Kelleher: -----and whether our words carry weight here, they are listened to outside the House.

Banking System: Motion (Resumed) (13 May 2009)

Billy Kelleher: If we were depending on the Labour Party's scheme they would be gone by this stage.

Finance Bill 2009: Second Stage (12 May 2009)

Billy Kelleher: I wish to share time with Deputy Frank Fahey. I welcome the opportunity to speak on this issue. To judge by the commentary inside and outside the House the Punch and Judy school of politics is alive and well. I take umbrage at some of Deputy Burton's comments on child benefit to the effect that some people are incapable of representing families or people with young children because they are...

Finance Bill 2009: Second Stage (12 May 2009)

Billy Kelleher: There was no allusion to that fact and the Labour Party's growth projections were in accordance with the norms that other political parties put forward and with international commentators and economists who said that Ireland would grow by approximately 4% in 2008 and 2009. For people to wear rose-tinted glasses and lecture us on the basis that they forewarned us is to say the least...

Finance Bill 2009: Second Stage (12 May 2009)

Billy Kelleher: Fine Gael did not say that in its 2007 manifesto. I read that as well.

Seanad: Companies (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (7 May 2009)

Billy Kelleher: I welcome the Second Stage contributions from Senators as they have been very helpful and insightful. I was a Member of this House from 1993 to 1997 and I endorse the view that this House allows for broad, reflective debate at times and some very interesting points were raised by Senators on all sides. I remind Senators that the Bill is very focused and aims to deal with a limited number of...

Seanad: Companies (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (7 May 2009)

Billy Kelleher: There is a defence system allowed under section 383 of the Companies Act 1963. The purpose of this section 40 is to make that provision more robust, to make people accountable and answerable. Previously, there was a necessity to prove the officer knowingly or wilfully authorised or permitted the default in question but now the onus will be on the officer and there is a defence allowable...

Seanad: Companies (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (7 May 2009)

Billy Kelleher: The report was acted upon. Amendments are proposed in two areas of the Bill. I am not giving a hostage to fortune but this is the Oireachtas where legislation is decided upon and everybody's opinion is valued here. This is where legislation can be refined and examined in greater detail and the Government will be willing to listen to arguments that stand up to scrutiny and which would...

Seanad: Companies (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (7 May 2009)

Billy Kelleher: Yes, but we are in the process and it is important that we temper our language in these debates to point out that the Government is not capitalising banks for the sake of giving them money to support the developers. It is to ensure we have a working financial system in this country. I use any forum to point out that the Government is fundamental about ensuring we have working banks in...

Seanad: Companies (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (7 May 2009)

Billy Kelleher: We must support the policy of ensuring we have a financially viable and credible banking system. The banks have a fundamental role to play in this. I said this publicly on numerous occasions in my previous role. There is a new relationship between the Irish banks and people through the bank guarantee and support through the capitalisation. We must encourage the banks to open up and allow...

Seanad: Companies (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (7 May 2009)

Billy Kelleher: If Senators have queries raised by small and medium sized businesses or mortgage holders, or information on applicants who were refused a mortgage on unacceptable grounds, they should raise them in every forum.

Seanad: Companies (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (7 May 2009)

Billy Kelleher: There is a new and detailed relationship between the State, the people and the Irish banking system. I urge banks to reflect on that. We all know that banks are challenged because of the internal and international difficulties but they have a fundamental role and we are supporting them so they can provide credit. We must have a mature debate on why we are dealing with the banks. We must...

Seanad: Education Funding (7 May 2009)

Billy Kelleher: I am taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, who is unable to attend but sends his apologies. I am pleased to be given the opportunity to clarify for this House the position with regard to the withdrawal of certain grants from Protestant fee-paying schools. The 2009 budget required difficult choices to be made...

Seanad: Education Funding (7 May 2009)

Billy Kelleher: As Senator Phelan pointed out, the public purse is under pressure. Savings had to be made across all sections of Exchequer spending and education was not spared although it was protected more than other areas. The Minister has expressed his willingness to consider any proposals that might come to his Department concerning the targeting of resources made available via the block grant. This...

Seanad: Hospital Services. (7 May 2009)

Billy Kelleher: I thank the Senator. The Minister for Health and Children sends her apologies for not being able to attend the House to discuss the issues he has raised. Wexford General Hospital provides comprehensive acute services to the 130,000 people living in County Wexford and to the thousands of tourists who visit the area each year. It benefits from a committed workforce who in 2009 will treat...

Seanad: Hospital Services. (7 May 2009)

Billy Kelleher: In the context of the capital allocation, funding for the accident and emergency entrance has been recently approved. Some €400,000 will be spent in 2009 and the rest of that budget will continue into the calendar year and the financial year of 2010. The commitment is made in the context of the provision of the new front entrance. A steering group has been established and is assessing...

Seanad: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (7 May 2009)

Billy Kelleher: I thank Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill for raising this issue which is urgent in the context of the closing date. REPS is regarded as one of the most successful farming schemes we have ever operated. Since it was first introduced in 1994, it has delivered significant payments to farmers, but it is about much more than money. It is a scheme that has brought many benefits to the environment and...

Leaders' Questions (22 Apr 2009)

Billy Kelleher: That was irresponsible.

Leaders' Questions (22 Apr 2009)

Billy Kelleher: The Labour Party will close down the country and wreck it if it goes on like this.

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (9 Apr 2009)

Billy Kelleher: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together. The number of people in Waterford City and County who have received an offer of training from FÁS each month to date in 2009 are as follows: January – 209 February – 225 March – 57. The number who have been given job placements by FÁS each month to date in 2009 are as follows: January – 16 February – 18 March – 10.