Results 1,881-1,900 of 5,732 for speaker:Fidelma Healy Eames

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Jun 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I understand that. I am speaking to the section and the substantive element of the amendments, although I understand they are out of order. The thrust of what Senator Cullinane is trying to achieve is very useful but we will have to find the right place to bring in the amendments. I agree that any employer who has had a finding made against it of unfair dismissal should reimburse the State...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: A new survey by Amárach Research shows that more than 80% of Irish people, or eight out of ten, believe that parliamentarians should have the right to a free vote on conscience grounds on the proposed abortion legislation. It is an issue that is exercising many people at this time. Young people in particular are shocked that parliamentarians are not entitled to a free vote on this...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: That is what it amounts to.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2013: Second Stage (13 Jun 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I understand. However, even in the case of married people, is it that the self-employed person does not earn enough income in the first place to pay PRSI? The Minister might elaborate. I thought about what the Minister said in regard to section 6, about the 4% PRSI rate against certain trades or professions. It is stunning to think that consultants with a private practice have been...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2013: Second Stage (13 Jun 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I hear that, but it is a very serious issue. I presume they have been paying PAYE, or tax.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2013: Second Stage (13 Jun 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: When tax is being calculated, why would PRSI not also be calculated? Section 9 deals with the retained firefighters. It is high time they got this consideration. After 40 years of lobbying, it must not have been a strong lobby, or else nobody was listening to them until now. Section 10 deals with the transition to jobseeker's allowance for people on the one-parent family payment. This is...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2013: Second Stage (13 Jun 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: It also takes into account that the person can only work part-time and must engage with activation measures. This is a progressive measure. Well done by the Minister. Section 11 is interesting. The Minister is looking to authenticate identity for personal public service, PPS, numbers and public service cards. How advanced is this process and when will it be complete? This is critical to...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2013: Second Stage (13 Jun 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: The Minister might explain the fines regime for personal retirement savings accounts, PRSA. I commend the Minister on the pensions council. It is a good idea because the pensions area is very complex. Will the eight members the Minister is to nominate be from the industry? When will this happen? I know they will be unpaid but will they receive expenses? Section 26 regards the direction...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2013: Second Stage (13 Jun 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I welcome the Minister. This is a good housekeeping Bill, which is detailed, current and relevant, especially in light of our changing social and economic circumstances. I have a number of questions on the measures provided for in the legislation. Under section 4, PRSI will be remitted directly to the Department in limited circumstances, for example, in cases of workers who are abroad....

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jun 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Words matter, particularly the words of world leaders. Last week, it was brought to my attention that President Obama spoke a number of weeks ago at an event organised by Planned Parenthood, an organisation which carries out approximately 330,000 abortions each year in the United States. The US President said "God bless you" to the Planned Parenthood meeting and told the organisation he...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jun 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I learned of this when I heard that a famous American footballer, Matt Birk, refused an invitation to the White House on the basis of the US President's comments. Next week, President Obama will attend the G8 summit on this island. Perhaps someone will ask him what he meant when he used the words "God bless" at a meeting of Planned Parenthood, an organisation which takes 330,000 lives each year.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jun 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: This is a timely warning to all of us that when something becomes lawful, it changes the prevailing culture. My question to the Leader is when the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill, also known as the abortion Bill, will come before the House for debate? Let us be careful in how we proceed in this matter. By making something lawful, we will go down the road of changing our culture of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Junior Certificate History Curriculum: Discussion (12 Jun 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Fantastic.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Junior Certificate History Curriculum: Discussion (12 Jun 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: We can learn from that. I would be happy to make a formal proposal in that regard.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Junior Certificate History Curriculum: Discussion (12 Jun 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: It could easily be a reality. The truth is that history must go up against something unless it can stand alone.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Junior Certificate History Curriculum: Discussion (12 Jun 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Unless it is stand alone.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Junior Certificate History Curriculum: Discussion (12 Jun 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Deputy Tuffy is such a nice Chair.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Junior Certificate History Curriculum: Discussion (12 Jun 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: As a member of the committee I wish to make a formal proposal in support of Senator Mac Conghail that because we are learning from our past and our comparators we should explore how we could bring in somebody from the UK and consider the experience there and why they are doing a U-turn.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Junior Certificate History Curriculum: Discussion (12 Jun 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: With the help of the History Teachers' Association of Ireland, and others, we will find a means to fund such a visit. Perhaps the person would be willing to come without funding.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Junior Certificate History Curriculum: Discussion (12 Jun 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: It is at the will of the school.