Results 1,181-1,200 of 5,587 for speaker:Kevin Humphreys

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Dec 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: -----who wanted Sean Fitzpatrick at the table as Minister for Finance. Unfortunately, the Fianna Fáil spokesperson, Deputy Barry Cowen, has caused total uproar with his lack of negotiation skills. Cowen is a familiar name that one can add to the list that contributed to the crash in this country. We have a responsibility to call the Taoiseach into this House to make clear exactly what...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Dec 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: The Minister went to the Taoiseach last evening. I put the Leader on notice that I will call for the Taoiseach to be present on Tuesday.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Dec 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: We normally have to go in to fix Fianna Fáil's mess.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Overview of Pensions: Discussion (15 Dec 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: It is probably not ideal. It is unfortunate.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Overview of Pensions: Discussion (15 Dec 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: Are Deputies voting in different ways?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Overview of Pensions: Discussion (15 Dec 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: While Deputies were voting in the Dáil, we were talking about the actual cost of pensions, which is €7 billion at the moment and will increase by approximately €1 billion every five years. The Department is in the process of getting an actuary to look at those figures more exactly for a better projection. Mr. Duggan was saying we will have those figures by the middle of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Overview of Pensions: Discussion (15 Dec 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: That would be of great help. At this stage, if we are having an overall look at pensions, we must look at what people contribute and the return they get from that contribution. I move on. A great deal of Mr. Duggan's submission was very clear. He said approximately 35% of people in the private sector had pensions. Do we have a breakdown in regard to that 35% in terms of earnings? It...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Overview of Pensions: Discussion (15 Dec 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: Is there a cost-benefit analysis in regard to it? If one looks at the higher sector workers, there are preferential tax returns for that. In many ways, it is an additional subsidy for a higher earner whereas somebody on a low or minimum wage does not have the opportunity to get that subsidy towards the contributory pension. It would be interesting to see the true cost in relation to that....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Overview of Pensions: Discussion (15 Dec 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: It would be helpful if we could link up with the UK authority. I want to ensure that it is an inclusive pension scheme, so will people at all income levels be able to get it? Even with a figure of roughly 10%, if it is concentrated in a low-income area the automatic enrolment will not help to deal with the problem of those on low incomes. The more information we have, the better the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Overview of Pensions: Discussion (15 Dec 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: Senator Alice-Mary Higgins will deal with the gender issue, but I have a final question. When we moved to average contributions, in many ways the bar to qualify for the State pension affected people who had started earlier in the workforce. They have been hugely disadvantaged, yet they are only starting to work into the system now. For example, some people began working at 16 or 17 in...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Dec 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: Yesterday we saw the publication of the rent pressure zones. Any action is welcome in its own way. I live in the centre of Dublin. Most mornings, I wake up to the sound of suitcase wheels rolling along the ground. I also hear it late in the evening. People are either coming from or going to the airport. They are mainly staying in Airbnb properties that were in the rental market.It is...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (13 Dec 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: At the end of the Bill.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (13 Dec 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: I do not intend to go over all the points made by Senator Higgins but I will reiterate one comment made by her with regard to fairness. We have a real significant problem with fairness in pensions. Senator Higgins said that pensions should not be a crisis but the fact is that pensions are quickly becoming a crisis. This is not just for defined benefit schemes, it also relates to how the...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (13 Dec 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: The challenge for the State is in how it provides for future years for people who will be going onto pensions.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: I thank the Leader for the work he did in inviting the appropriate Minister to make a statement on climate action and low-carbon development. I hope and believe this will be a landmark day for the House, as we will see - for the first time - real and positive action on how Ireland can show leadership when it comes to climate change. I ask the Leader to ensure there is adequate time for the...

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development: Statements (7 Dec 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: On a point of order, we are here discussing climate change, which is the most important issue. The price of a stamp is important, but this is not the time.

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development: Statements (7 Dec 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: There is a clear agenda for this sitting and it is not related to An Post or the price of a stamp, but to climate change. I ask the Senator to stick to it because time is valuable.

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development: Statements (7 Dec 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: They helped Fianna Fáil crash.

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development: Statements (7 Dec 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: I welcome the Minister. This is an important and landmark day. I hope this is the start of when we begin to take climate change seriously. Important legislation was passed. Senator Paudie Coffey was in the Department when it went through. It is important that we have the Minister in the House today. It is important that the Minister ensures his colleagues at the Cabinet table make the...

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development: Statements (7 Dec 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: We are on the foot of 15 of the hottest years the planet has seen since records started. It is five minutes to midnight. We have to put the vested interest groups outside the door and start making real practical decisions that will make a difference. Although we are a small country, we can show clear leadership in this regard and that is what I expect from the Minister. I expect clear...