Results 18,261-18,280 of 26,924 for speaker:Richard Boyd Barrett

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Teaching Council (Amendment) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (26 Mar 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I was informed of this.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Teaching Council (Amendment) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (26 Mar 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: If it has €13 million surplus, what is it doing with it?

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Education and Skills: Teaching Council (Amendment) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (26 Mar 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: It would be helpful if the Minister could do so. She might also look into the matter.

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Employment Rights (26 Mar 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: 14. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in view of industrial action looming at a company (details supplied), the measures he plans to take to address the issues of zero hour contracts and excessive use of temporary contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11958/15]

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Trade Agreements (26 Mar 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: 25. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the progress of talks between the European Union and the United States of America on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership; the meetings he has attended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11959/15]

Water Charges: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (25 Mar 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: It says everything about this issue and the water charges debacle that the Minister, who was the chief architect of this complete fiasco, the former Minister, Phil Hogan, was then rewarded by getting what is probably the most senior political position in Europe that this State can confer on an individual. Before he left office this Minister who was rewarded for that fiasco, was busy having...

Water Charges: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (25 Mar 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Free electricity.

Water Charges: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (25 Mar 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: What about Deputy Tom Fleming?

Water Charges: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (25 Mar 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: What about Deputy Wallace? With those two Members on board, both Wexford and Kerry are represented.

Water Charges: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (25 Mar 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: The Deputy should check the latest version of the motion.

Water Charges: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (25 Mar 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: It is in the motion.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (25 Mar 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: It is a fair observation and it is reasonable to say that we do not see many of the faces of the new communities and minorities in Irish society represented in RTE. If the station is to be truly reflective of Irish society, we would want to see the situation improve. I take the point made by RTE that it complies with equality legislation and tries to recruit people based on merit. What...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (25 Mar 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: If I could comment, I met the petitioner on a number of occasions. As I explained to him, neither I nor this committee is in a position to adjudicate on the specific events that occurred with him. However, he seems to raise some legitimate concerns and a legitimate issue as to whether there is a level playing field when a student - one could more generally say "an individual" - is dealing...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (25 Mar 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Have we a schedule of the big ticket items that are coming up in the next while and what slots are available? The reason I ask is because there is one particular petition of which I am aware that was submitted recently from representatives of the taxi drivers and it is time constrained. There is a new regime of charging and also to do with the metering in taxis which requires them all to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (25 Mar 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: It is towards the end of April which, I accept, is a short timeframe for us. However, it is a fairly substantial issue affecting a lot of people. They deserve their opportunity to put their case.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (25 Mar 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: That would be great.

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) 2015: Committee Stage (25 Mar 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I am against this amendment because if we need people to make medical assessments, they should be employed full-time. We do not need agency people. The reason we have a backlog is the moratorium. Many Departments have massive backlogs because we are understaffed and that is having a detrimental effect on people who are awaiting decisions. It is also having a detrimental effect on the...

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) 2015: Committee Stage (25 Mar 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I am assuming that any GP who gives a diagnosis of someone's condition does so in good faith and in accordance with their responsibilities as a medical professional. It is not about putting pressure on them. Day in, day out GPs write letters in which they state someone is not fit for work or permanently incapacitated and, in their professional opinion, needs care. I do not believe...

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) 2015: Committee Stage (25 Mar 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: While the Minister of State may have a point about people wanting short-term contracts, the optimum situation is undoubtedly for people to be taken on full-time. If the Government takes seriously or accepts that the optimum scenario is to have people recruited on a full-time basis if or when we need them then the amendment should specify that this is the first call. The Minister of State...

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) 2015: Committee Stage (25 Mar 2015)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Deputy Joan Collins tabled these two amendments on my behalf. I am gobsmacked that they have been ruled out of order, particularly the one that refers to the general practitioner. One could possibly argue that because amendment No. 4 removes the requirement regarding care for in excess of 12 months, it could mean greater access and, therefore, represent a potential charge on the State. We...