Results 1,401-1,420 of 1,979 for speaker:Nicky McFadden

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2009)

Nicky McFadden: I received a representation on this issue at lunch time. The person in question, who is a single man, will not be able to afford his existing accommodation because of the changes in rent supplement. I have raised previously the issue of single men who are down on their luck. That man will not be able to continue to pay his rent. It has been stated that rents have come down but that is not...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2009)

Nicky McFadden: Especially for single men.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2009)

Nicky McFadden: We oppose the section also. We acknowledge the provision of preschool hours for every morning but I am not sure whether the way the Minister is dealing with the matter will target the children who are most in need. For that reason we oppose the section.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2009)

Nicky McFadden: I move amendment No. 12: In page 12, between lines 36 and 37, to insert the following: "(1C) The Minster shall, within three months of the commencement of this section, lay before the Houses of the Oireachtas the details of what is required to be furnished by persons affected by this section.". Perhaps the Leas-Chathaoirleach would outline where we are at.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2009)

Nicky McFadden: Go raibh maith agat. The amendment seeks that "The Minister shall, within three months of the commencement of this section, lay before the Houses of the Oireachtas the details of what is required to be furnished by persons affected by this section." The Minister indicated there are courses for everyone but people need to be made aware of what is available to them.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2009)

Nicky McFadden: My concern is that there would not be duplication of courses. There should be a type of portfolio of what people have done already so they could be directed towards a course that would be most applicable to that experience. The ultimate goal would be that they would get a job at the end of the process.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2009)

Nicky McFadden: Exactly.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2009)

Nicky McFadden: I support Senator Hannigan. We spoke about other companies this morning such as Waterford Glass. Bord na Móna and the ESB. Their pension funds are in trouble yet they are solvent companies.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2009)

Nicky McFadden: I move amendment No. 14: In page 21, after line 52, to insert the following: "(1C) The trustees shall have the power to set limits on the amount that shall be paid out based on the salary of the employee in the event of a winding up.". This is a worthwhile amendment. Based on the annuities the trustees would have the responsibility and the power to decide on the amounts that would be paid...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2009)

Nicky McFadden: They did not expect it to be obliterated.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2009)

Nicky McFadden: I must accept what the Minister says. I appreciate that she tried to arrange a briefing for me at lunchtime but I could not attend it. I could make the same point I made this morning about more time. I understand the Minister must rush the Bill through the House and acknowledge she is trying to correct the position but at the same time I do not accept what she said about limits. It is...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2009)

Nicky McFadden: While acknowledging the State-owned annuities, which is a welcome step forward, will PIPS be a type of bail out for employees when a company such as SR Technics is not looking after its employees, even though it is solvent, as Senator Hannigan said? Is this like a State guarantee for employees? Are we guaranteeing people's pensions?

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2009: Second Stage (29 Apr 2009)

Nicky McFadden: I welcome the Minister to the House. I appreciate the serious times in which we are and acknowledge that action, however belatedly, is being taken. I am greatly disappointed by the manner in which this legislation is being rushed through both Houses. I listened intently to the debate in the Dáil yesterday and ask the Minister directly the reason Members of this House were not invited to...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2009: Second Stage (29 Apr 2009)

Nicky McFadden: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2009: Second Stage (29 Apr 2009)

Nicky McFadden: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Apr 2009)

Nicky McFadden: I read with disdain an article in the farming section of the Irish Independent today that a lady is getting 20 cent a litre for her milk. She is part of the Glanbia co-operative. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister to the House for a serious debate on this matter. The woman is getting one fifth of the price the consumer pays for the milk, the same price she got in 1983. The family is...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2009)

Nicky McFadden: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2009)

Nicky McFadden: I support colleagues in calling for a debate on water quality. It is extraordinary, in the wake of the Celtic tiger, that our water supply infrastructure is so deplorable. The Environmental Protection Agency has recommended that the only way to solve the problem is to install better treatment facilities and so on. What the Government has done, however, is to abolish the fallen animal grant....

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Apr 2009)

Nicky McFadden: Last night, I attended a meeting in my constituency on how the budget has affected people. Turbary rights is an issue and I would appreciate if the Leader would clarify the exact position in respect of whether people are permitted to cut turf. I am aware the Minister has commissioned a report, but in view of the fact that it is so costly to run a house and a home, at what stage is that report?

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Apr 2009)

Nicky McFadden: A serious issue has been raised at the AGSI's conference in Athlone, namely, that there is little support available to gardaí when they take children into care and that there is a lack of social work services on which they may call. The president of the AGSI stated this morning that the Garda should not hand over children in its care to an organisation other than one sponsored by the State,...