Results 1,201-1,220 of 5,587 for speaker:Kevin Humphreys

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

Kevin Humphreys: That is having a drastic and detrimental impact on the air quality in our cities and towns. One thing that could be done quickly is a phased move away from diesel cars. We have to move quickly because our hospitals will fill up if we do not. A zero waste management plan for restaurants has been successfully piloted in London. It involves reducing portion sizes and a planned mechanism...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2016: Committee Stage (6 Dec 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: We often see unintentional consequences. Has the Minister examined the possible unintentional consequences of a future claim in respect of K class PRSI? Senator Norris states he is quite happy to take the 4%. Using this as an example, if Senator Norris took a case against the State, saying that he is being disadvantaged and the Minister is resolving the problem for one set of officeholders...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2016: Committee Stage (6 Dec 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: As the debate was going on, I just remembered that similar advice may have been given to me.

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by Ms Nicola Sturgeon (29 Nov 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: The First Minister is very welcome. She mentioned the wish for Scotland to stay within the Single Market. We are very concerned about a hard Border between us and Northern Ireland and we will do everything we can to address that issue. Scotland staying in the Single Market will involve many great challenges. How is the First Minister looking at this? One of the biggest issues facing not...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: I, too, wish to raise the issue of maternity services. I acknowledge the work done in regard to Holles Street hospital and its colocation. I am thankful that the difficulties have finally been resolved. We now have a start date for applying for planning permission. It never should have taken nearly a year to get to that stage. What is happening with Holles Street highlights the issue...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2016: Second Stage (29 Nov 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: I welcome the Minister. It is a better time to be the Minister for Social Protection than has been the case for the past five years. We must remember and listen to the contributions earlier from those who crashed and burned the country through light-touch regulation but who are so critical now. They have forgotten the damage they did to the country when they call for reinstatement in this...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: The Labour group in the Seanad will also oppose the motion on the formation of the special joint committee on the future funding of domestic water services. When the Government was formed, we were promised new politics. We now see Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael dropping the whole idea of new politics when it suits them. I have nothing against the particular Senators who are proposed to be...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: I will be seeking the deletion-----

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: I second it. It is totally unacceptable. There is a need for discussion. We are supposed to have new politics. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael coming together to block the election of a Chairman by a committee is totally unacceptable

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: I wish to raise RTE's announcement that it plans to outsource children's television. It is utterly unacceptable that the director general appeared before the committee this week and made absolutely no mention of it outsourcing children's television. That has been the incubator of talent for the broadcasting community and the arts. It is totally unacceptable that the director general should...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: RTE has referred to a challenging financial environment and reducing operation costs. I suggest one reduction in its operation cost is the €4,300 a month it pays to the Phoenix for full-page advertisements. While talking about a challenging financial environment, it is happy to waste that sort of money. The Minister needs to challenge whether we are getting value for money. We also...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: The Minister needs to take charge. The Minister has been getting a lot of soft coverage by RTE. Was he being softened up for these decisions?

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: I have not gone over time because I carefully watched the clock.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: I will finish on this. I want the Minister to come to this House very quickly. RTE gets a huge amount of money. It is sitting on a very valuable property site of several acres in Donnybrook. It should not consider cutting services before it liquidates that property asset.We are in the middle of a housing crisis and an awful lot of that land could be used. We want the Minister in here and...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: -----to explain why-----

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: -----why she did not inform the committee.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: That was not in question.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Nov 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: While I am not suspicious by nature and I do not buy into these theories, I sense the dark hand of Fianna Fáil and Deputy Timmy Dooley in the amendment to the Bill. Fianna Fáil has requested its senior member in the coalition to ensure the Senator's Bill be killed off in order to allow Fianna Fáil to come forward ahead of it. If Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are a coalition,...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Nov 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: There are no points of order on the Order of Business.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Nov 2016)

Kevin Humphreys: It is the dark corners operating.