Results 1,501-1,520 of 5,732 for speaker:Fidelma Healy Eames

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (13 Nov 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: The Minister is very welcome. I have read the record and last week he responded to me on this issue on Second Stage. I concur with everything said by Senator Bradford, who has put the argument extremely well. I ask the Minister to reconsider his views from last week in light of the fact that this Bill does not deal with electoral expenses. I put it to the Minister last week that my party...

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (13 Nov 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: The figures are multiplied over three years.

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (13 Nov 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Nov 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Credit unions have been receiving a significant number of calls from concerned customers. I myself took several calls on my way to the House. Customers are not concerned about their savings because they know they have a guarantee but they want to know how safe their local credit union will be. Credit unions enjoy a high level of trust compared with banks. I agree that the Minister for...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Nov 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Yes, it is critical because the public are worried. The last thing we need is a flight of capital from our credit unions. That is the money they lend. They do a good job of meeting their criteria. I have enjoyed the services of credit unions through the years, as have many other people in this country. It is our job as politicians and public servants to ensure they are safe for their...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Nov 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: The Senator means Fianna Fáil.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Nov 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Report Stage (7 Nov 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I hear the Minister and I know that her intentions are fantastic but we need the evidence from the Central Bank that a person has a sustainable solution in place before the mortgage interest supplement is pulled because it may be the lifeline that keeps that person in their home. There is no advantage to dispossessing people. We know that social housing provision is at an all-time low and...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Report Stage (7 Nov 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I guess we have much agreement-----

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Report Stage (7 Nov 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I am sorry.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Report Stage (7 Nov 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I move amendment No. 12: In page 12, between lines 13 and 14, to insert the following:"11. The Minister shall, as soon as practicable, lay before each House of the Oireachtas a report detailing the implications of the phasing out of Mortgage Interest Supplement.".We discussed this issue yesterday evening. When we speak about emigration, we emphasise the importance of young people to this...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Report Stage (7 Nov 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: The Minister committed last night to the provision of 20,000 places, therefore, we know there is a shortfall. In the budget document there is a commitment to the allocation of €14 million towards the youth guarantee scheme but €32 million is being taken away. Whatever way one's adds up the figures there is a shortfall. I am not here to mince my words; I am here to say let us...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Report Stage (7 Nov 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I accept that. Put it in a report and let us have it before the-----

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Report Stage (7 Nov 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: No, I am talking about one from the Minister. Let her commit to it. That is the point.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Report Stage (7 Nov 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: It is good to see the Minister back in the House again. I thank Senators Quinn and Norris for moving and seconding the amendment. I listened carefully to the Minister's comments yesterday. Youth unemployment and emigration is such a serious issue that we cannot postpone addressing it. The Government parties have an opportunity to say they are serious about this, they will do something...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Committee Stage (6 Nov 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I did not get an answer to the question with respect. What is the Minister's solution? Is she phasing it out on the one hand while using MARP on the other hand? Is the Department of Social Protection communicating with MARP and the banks on the issue?

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Committee Stage (6 Nov 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I have a concern about the complete phasing out over time of this provision. While the Minister may already have specified this to the House, over what period does she plan to phase out the mortgage interest supplement?

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Committee Stage (6 Nov 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: If my figures are correct, I understand that in 2012, the Government paid out €55 million in mortgage interest supplement payments. While this provision now is to be phased out completely, I note those who are in receipt of such mortgage interest supplement payments at present need it to be paid for them in order to stay in their houses and to keep their houses until hopefully, their...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Committee Stage (6 Nov 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: It is extremely slow if one is looking for people to go bankrupt. Moreover, I do not believe this is the way in which to hold onto one's home. Personally, I favour the Central Bank being far more proactive with the banks. While I acknowledge they have been given targets, I read the transcripts of the meetings of the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform held here during...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Committee Stage (6 Nov 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I completely agree with the Minister that giving €319 million to the banks essentially is wasting money unless a process is happening at the same time to reach a sustainable solution for those people to help them keep their homes.