Results 19,461-19,480 of 26,924 for speaker:Richard Boyd Barrett

National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (8 Jul 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Yes.

National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (8 Jul 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Yes but the point is that the authority to do this exists. I wish it did not. The Minister of State might argue that provision has been made for Irish Water to remain a public company. Some of us are dubious about that. We believe the Government has done that under public pressure. We are also dubious as to what extent this will remain the case or for that matter whether privatisation by...

National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Bill 2014: Report Stage (8 Jul 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: The Minister of State should read Animal Farm.

National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Bill 2014: Report Stage (8 Jul 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: One group seriously omitted from the list is that of representatives of pensioners. It should not be forgotten by us in dealing with this legislation that what we are speaking about is the National Pensions Reserve Fund, which was set up to ensure we can meet our pension liabilities into the future. At the very least, representatives of pensioners, possibly elected representatives, should...

National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Bill 2014: Report Stage (8 Jul 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I would like to contribute. I support this amendment. As Deputy Higgins outlined, it is fairly extraordinary that the areas of so-called expertise which are to be required for those appointed to the board of the National Treasury Management Agency are the same as those found among the circle of so-called experts in the areas of investment, finance and economics - precisely the cohort of...

National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Bill 2014: Report Stage (8 Jul 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: The Minister of State did not really respond about the experience in respect of Coillte as an example of what we are discussing. When the Government committed to sell off the harvesting rights of Coillte, NewERA was dealing with that area. NewERA had been charged with the responsibility for managing something that had been written into the troika agreement. The Government's policy was to...

National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Bill 2014: Report Stage (8 Jul 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Can the Minister of State give an answer? Is he not allowed to?

National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Bill 2014: Report Stage (8 Jul 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: The point has been well made, but I want to give an example and to hear the response of the Minister of State in regard to it. This concerns the agreement the Government made initially in the memorandum of understanding to sell off the harvesting rights of Coillte, which had been agreed with the troika. For a long time we tried to discover what the hell was going on, what analysis had been...

Leaders' Questions (8 Jul 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: It is as privatising as one can get.

Leaders' Questions (8 Jul 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Will the Taoiseach meet them?

Leaders' Questions (8 Jul 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Yes, it is. Multinationals will come in.

Other Questions: Special Education Review (8 Jul 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Obviously, consultation is good, as is the idea of a model that is more flexible and responsive to need. However, given the oft-repeated phrase "finite resources", problems can emerge. One particular question raised by the INTO concerns the moratorium on posts of responsibility and posts involving special duties, given that schools may have a difficulty in getting what they need and making...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Education Policy (8 Jul 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I do not know if it is a circle which can be squared to say on the one hand that we had no choice but to make these cuts and on the other that we will protect the integrated model of education. Let us be clear that the integrated model of education is of critical importance for vulnerable students, including students with special needs, Travellers, and primary schoolchildren with language...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Education Policy (8 Jul 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: The thing about fiscal restraint is that one can cut off one's nose to spite one's face. There is no more important example of that than in the area of education, particularly primary education. Providing the necessary resources for primary school children, particularly those who are vulnerable is vital for them and for the long-term economic future of the country. If one cuts off one's...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Education Policy (8 Jul 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: There are 10,000 more kids coming and the largest class sizes in Europe.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Education Policy (8 Jul 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: 56. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether the integrated model of education, so enthusiastically supported by teachers and parents, is in extreme danger due to the combination of large class sizes, a 15% cut in resource teaching hours, the withdrawal of resource teachers for Travellers and the reduction in language support teachers; and if he will make a statement...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Education Policy (8 Jul 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: One of the groups that has suffered the most and has experienced the greatest level of anxiety is people with special needs and their families. While the National Council for Special Education has produced a review regarding the allocation of resources, the unions, particularly the Irish National Teachers' Organisation, INTO, have indicated grave concern and said that without reversing the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Preschool Services (8 Jul 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: 65. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a commitment that the early start preschool scheme that currently exists in 40 DEIS schools on a pilot basis will remain in place; that the scheme will be extended on a permanent basis to all DEIS schools within the lifetime of this Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29401/14]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (8 Jul 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: 79. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for increasing special needs resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29402/14]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (8 Jul 2014)

Richard Boyd Barrett: 81. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when Gaelscoil Phádraig will gain access to Archbishop Mc Quaid national school in Loughlinstown, which was allocated to it in 2005 by his Department; if he will ensure that Ballyowen Meadows Special School moves to its new premises without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29398/14]