Results 1,141-1,160 of 5,587 for speaker:Kevin Humphreys

Seanad: Annual National Transition Statement on Climate Action and Low Carbon Development: Statements (15 Feb 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: I would like to hear that Minister answer questions.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Feb 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: The Harold's Cross dog track has been in existence since 1928 and the announcement of its closure has greatly saddened the local community. In the context of the week that is in it, sometimes speedy decisions may end up resulting in a great loss to the local community. A local area plan is badly needed for that area. A new secondary school is also badly needed in that area and the Harold's...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Feb 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: The ballot box and the armalite.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Feb 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: I am very concerned about the reports on cost-saving measures in the context of labour activation schemes. When I heard the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Pachal Donohoe, say the so-called labour activation schemes facing the axe included Tús and Gateway, schemes overseen by the Department of Social Protection, I was concerned. We have made huge progress in reducing...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Labour Activation Measures: Discussion (Resumed) (9 Feb 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: I thank Dr. John Sweeney for the presentation and for the work he has done in this area. It is not the first time I have heard about CIE in the context of not being the public transport authority. It is not a criticism, but it always hits me that economists such as Dr. Sweeney always have time to look back at the analysis, whereas in practice politicians such as myself and Deputy O'Dea must...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Labour Activation Measures: Discussion (Resumed) (9 Feb 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: Coming from my background, I have always believed community employment has been wrongly designated. There should be a question as to whether it should be designated as an activation measure.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Labour Activation Measures: Discussion (Resumed) (9 Feb 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: Opportunities were opening up in 2005 and 2006, and the Institute of Technology, Tallaght was probably one of the leaders in it. It was partnering with employers in the low-skill areas, but obviously when the recession came that was the first thing that was lost. As the economy recovers, we need to examine that area again because people are returning to low-skilled jobs. We need to partner...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Labour Activation Measures: Discussion (Resumed) (9 Feb 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: That is where the institutes of technology and the education and training boards can play a role in designing educational courses for people who are employed. I have seen this being carried out in a factory or an office where a certain amount of time was set aside for such upskilling. I know of one company that set aside two hours to facilitate its staff on the packing lines attending for...

Seanad: Amendments to Councillors' Conditions: Statements (8 Feb 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: I acknowledge the work the Minister has done on this issue and his efforts to resolve it. Like Senator Frank Feighan, I too was elected in 1999. Working in the private sector, one finds oneself working 16 to 18 hours a day between the private sector job and trying to do what basically was and is a voluntary undertaking. If we consider the salaries that are paid to councillors, when more...

Seanad: Derelict and Vacant Sites Bill 2017: Second Stage (8 Feb 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: I thank the Minister, Deputy Coveney, who has spent a long day in the House. This is important legislation and I commend the Senators responsible for bringing it forward because the more we debate such issues the clearer the understanding we will have of what is happening in the market. In principle, the Labour Party will support the Bill but we would seek to amend it as we consider there...

Seanad: Derelict and Vacant Sites Bill 2017: Second Stage (8 Feb 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: I will conclude briefly. The Minister gets the idea about the impact of these platforms on the accommodation problem. In a recent development of nine units in Dublin 2 three are used for Airbnb. The Government under the rapid build programme is endeavouring to deliver 350 units or as many as possible, but if they are being leaked to these platforms at such a rate, the programme will have...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: It destroyed the country.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: Many of the issues that are discussed in this House cannot be acted upon unless we have a tax system that works efficiently. The arms of the State must support the collection of taxes, whether for hospitals, housing, supports for rural areas and so on. Our tax base must be supported and sustained. In early January, I contacted the Revenue Commissioners to highlight allegations that...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: Is the Leader sure that he is not coming to talk about rugby?

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: Is it?

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Feb 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: I wish to raise two issues with the Leader of the House. The first is an old one, namely, that of Airbnb and the change in the nature of the city as a result of Airbnb lettings, especially within the city centre area. I have received several e-mails about the matter, of which I will give the House just a flavour:Three new houses built in the last two years in my lane are being rented out on...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Feb 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: I wish to raise an issue in Dublin that I have raised on several occasions previously in the House. When the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Shane Ross, was in the House, I referred to the DART underground project. He said it was a cornerstone of traffic management and public transport services within the city. I made him aware of several planning applications along the...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Feb 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: That is nonsense.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Feb 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: The DART underground is a key piece of infrastructure.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Feb 2017)

Kevin Humphreys: Fine Gael is probably the only party undertaking opinion polls.