Results 19,801-19,820 of 20,192 for speaker:Brian Stanley

Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Final Stages (14 Dec 2011)

Brian Stanley: Before the debate adjourned earlier, the Minister of State outlined that the €160 million this tax will generate will fund local authorities and give them greater choice. The implication of what he said was that local authority members would have more autonomy. Last week's budget put paid to that because it proposed a cutback of €165 million from the Local Government Fund. This...

Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Final Stages (14 Dec 2011)

Brian Stanley: That is good. However, many other categories will not be. I appeal to the Government to accept the list of exemptions regarding people on low incomes and social welfare to take them out of this position. The context is that this is the fifth budget which has brought in severe austerity since the emergency budget which, if I recall correctly, was at Easter or perhaps in May 2008. There has...

Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Committee Stage (14 Dec 2011)

Brian Stanley: Sinn Féin opposes the Bill and the concept of a household charge. This is a form of double taxation which is being introduced on the back of other charges and stealth taxes. It will have a very negative impact and will be the final straw for many householders.

Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Committee Stage (14 Dec 2011)

Brian Stanley: I understand we are discussing amendments Nos. 2, 9, 10 and 13 to 15, inclusive.

Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Committee Stage (14 Dec 2011)

Brian Stanley: Okay.

Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Committee Stage (14 Dec 2011)

Brian Stanley: On section 1, it is grossly unfair that a person on social welfare who is living in a small house will end up paying the exact same amount of money as a person who lives in a mansion with a dozen bedrooms. This flat tax does not discriminate between those who can pay and those who cannot. No provision has been made for people who are on social welfare payments. It is a very regressive tax.

Rural Areas: Motion (13 Dec 2011)

Brian Stanley: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate. It is unfortunate that the party putting forward the Private Members' motion is responsible for many of the policies they are now criticising. This year's budget reads like a horror story. The tax on septic tanks was to come before the Dáil this week but it is now being postponed until January. Local residents will be paying the...

Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (13 Dec 2011)

Brian Stanley: I wish to share my time with Deputies Ferris and Doherty. I have to follow that Tipperary performance. The first thing about this Bill is that it is coming hot on the heels of the budget, which was described to me by constituents last week as being the worst kind of Christmas present they could have received. People are facing into difficult circumstances, with a plethora of costs and...

Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (13 Dec 2011)

Brian Stanley: The anger at these charges is palpable. People are being hit daily with extra charges but no extra services. People who worked hard and paid their taxes, including the people who paid taxes of 60% and more in previous bad times to ensure services would be provided, are being asked to dig deeper and pay more for the same services they have been receiving. This does not add up. People know...

Written Answers — National Lottery Funding: National Lottery Funding (8 Dec 2011)

Brian Stanley: Question 21: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to the National Lottery, if he has terms of reference for the examination of how best to maximise the return on the extension of the licence for the benefit of the people; the timeframe for the examination; and if he will consider increasing the funding to good causes to 40%. [39304/11]

Social Welfare Bill 2011: Second Stage (8 Dec 2011)

Brian Stanley: I ask Deputies on the Government benches, when is a cut not a cut?. In particular, I ask Deputies Joan Burton and Kathleen Lynch that question. The answer is, when one feels the heat of public anger and calls for a review. The Sinn Féin budget proposals, Route to Recovery, were based on the key principles of fairness, equality and jobs. The Government's budget was based on identifying the...

Written Answers — Energy Conservation: Energy Conservation (7 Dec 2011)

Brian Stanley: Question 47: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will guarantee that all eligible households on the waiting list for warmer homes scheme in County Mayo will have all the required work carried out by an agreed date. [39089/11]

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (7 Dec 2011)

Brian Stanley: Question 108: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if it is his responsibility, and that of the Irish Aviation Authority, to measure the sound levels at a location (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [39084/11]

Financial Resolutions 2012: Financial Resolution No. 13: General (Resumed) (7 Dec 2011)

Brian Stanley: The times we live in are challenging and difficult and require leadership, inspiration and decisions to improve quality for life for people. On all three counts, the Government has failed. The budget will serve to bring further stress and conflict to families and communities. It will further undermine the years of good work done by community activists. Community development projects are...

Financial Resolutions 2012: Financial Resolution No. 13: General (Resumed) (7 Dec 2011)

Brian Stanley: There is no need to keep an eye on me; I am in the House and the Minister can keep an eye on me, while I keep an eye on him. The local drugs task forces have seen their budgets cut by 7%, or a total of €2 million. Projects have already suffered serious cuts in the past three budgets, many of which will be compounded by cuts to HSE mainstream funding. The Government has purposely...

Financial Resolution No. 4: Value Added Tax (6 Dec 2011)

Brian Stanley: I appeal to the Tánaiste to row back on this decision because it will have a disproportionate impact on low income families. It is a flat tax. The Government is putting it forward as if it will apply only to luxuries. Adult clothes and shoes, having a telephone in a rural area and basic household appliances are not luxuries. It will also damage employment in small towns. Small towns are...

Prison Accommodation (1 Dec 2011)

Brian Stanley: Question 29: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the date on which he will end completely the practice of imprisoning 16 and 17 years olds in St. Patrick's Institution Dublin. [37916/11]

Written Answers — Prison Accommodation: Prison Accommodation (1 Dec 2011)

Brian Stanley: Question 24: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to reduce overcrowding in Cork prison; the timeframe he will use to achieve this reduction; and the date on which the practice of slopping out will end completely in Cork prison. [37915/11]

Written Answers — Energy Conservation: Energy Conservation (1 Dec 2011)

Brian Stanley: Question 111: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has agreed on a tendering process for the proposed pay-as-you-save contracts to insulate domestic and public buildings. [37550/11]

Written Answers — Building Regulations: Building Regulations (1 Dec 2011)

Brian Stanley: Question 118: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if it contravenes building guidelines for a local authority to build a house in which the toilet is put in the kitchen of the house with a single door opening into the cooking and eating area of the family home. [38128/11]