Results 61-80 of 204 for speaker:Peter Kelly

Pre-Budget Statements (24 Mar 2009)

Peter Kelly: The global recession has severely affected Ireland as a small open economy. It gives me no joy to have to say that. It is sad, but factual that we find ourselves in a very serious situation. Unemployment is rising, many people in the private sector have taken wage cuts and people are extremely worried about their future and their children's future. This recession has been compared by some...

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Mar 2009)

Peter Kelly: This legislation puts a limit for the first time on what candidates can spend at local elections. As a former councillor of 20 years standing, I believe this will help to develop a level playing field. Furthermore, it replicates the transparency achieved in general elections since 1997, when I first had the privilege of being elected to the Dáil. These limits take a measured approach and...

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Mar 2009)

Peter Kelly: It will be displayed above the print. The print will be located in the right-hand corner of the poster. Members may have seen during the last election campaign posters on which the print was so small one would have needed a magnifying glass to read it.

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Mar 2009)

Peter Kelly: It would be great if they did. I hope people will vote for the printer. The best way of doing so is to give him or her one's business in the forthcoming local election. Every county, town and borough councillor in Ireland should use the services of their local printer to have material printed. This would be a great vote of confidence in the print industry in Ireland. I look forward to...

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Mar 2009)

Peter Kelly: Following the last general election, we took down all our posters. However, believe it or not, some of them were put up again.

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Mar 2009)

Peter Kelly: It may have been, I do not know although I was told that those who did it would not do so if I asked them. Nobody wants posters to remain on display after an election. Local elections are important for democracy. I wish all candidates well. Democracy is what the people want. The vast majority of people want to live in peace, not war. No one in their right mind wants murder. Many...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Nov 2008)

Peter Kelly: I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak here today on the Finance Bill. I strongly believe the measures announced will increase national productivity and competitiveness. This Bill seeks to restore order and stability in the public finances. It also seeks to protect those who are most vulnerable. As everyone knows, we are in difficult financial conditions, the "perfect storm" as...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Nov 2008)

Peter Kelly: Perhaps I should, because my grandfather, Pat Gibney from Bective Street, Kells, County Meath, was a great cyclist. He was the all-Ireland one-mile grass cycling champion. He won the title in Virginia, County Cavan. I come from a long line of cyclists. My family are all on the bike.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Nov 2008)

Peter Kelly: I have to confess I have not been on a bike for a couple of years. However, after listening to Deputy Mary White, I intend to get out my bike and get on the move.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Nov 2008)

Peter Kelly: That is probably the main reason I will do it. The Finance Bill is a good place to start working together to achieve what we want. I commend the Bill to the House.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Nov 2008)

Peter Kelly: This Bill seeks to put first and above all else the best interests of each person needing care. We should not lose sight of this. Foremost in everybody's mind must be our duty and responsibility to care for elderly and vulnerable people who require nursing home care. We must remember that above all else, each person needing care must receive priority. It is the interests of these people...

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Nov 2008)

Peter Kelly: I accept that HIQA is still in the process of recruiting staff and building up its operational capacity. I have been informed that it will be well resourced with a budget of €16.8 million in 2008 to meet the estimated cost of its planned worked programme, including the commencement of nursing home inspections. Budget 2009 provides €55 million for the implementation of the fair deal...

Gas (Amendment) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2008)

Peter Kelly: The Bill seeks to increase the statutory borrowing limit placed on Bord Gáis from €1.7 billion to €3 billion. Its enactment will give Bord Gáis the legal ability to access funds to develop the strategic direction set out in its five-year corporate plan to 2012 and beyond. Bord Gáis was established in 1976 with a mandate to develop and maintain a system for the supply of natural gas...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2008)

Peter Kelly: We must still continue to protect the most vulnerable in our society. This Bill does that, providing for an increase of between 3% and 3.8% in the basic social welfare payments next year. Total expenditure on social welfare next year will be €19.6 billion. This is an increase of €2.6 billion over the Estimates allocation for 2008. It is important to note that the schemes and other...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2008)

Peter Kelly: And Westmeath also. The Deputy is a mind reader. He must have seen it before I said it. I was just coming to that.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2008)

Peter Kelly: I also take the opportunity to compliment everybody working in those agencies in County Roscommon. Educating people regarding their finances and how to embark on good financial practice is a good first step. As I said, I have the height of respect for MABS and the work it does. There will be €515 million worth of improvements in social welfare rates for the coming year. I believe this...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2008)

Peter Kelly: I was very disappointed to hear speculation that welfare recipients might not get the 100% Christmas bonus they have received for the past nine years.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2008)

Peter Kelly: This type of scaremongering was completely unfair to already vulnerable people. I am delighted, therefore, that the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Hanafin, has confirmed that the Christmas bonus will be paid to a range of people, including widows, widowers, pensioners, one-parent families and the long-term unemployed. As I have already said, I compliment a compassionate and...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2008)

Peter Kelly: It is an honour to represent the people of Longford-Westmeath.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2008)

Peter Kelly: I did, along with the good Deputy. I have fond memories of my time representing the people of Roscommon because I gave good representation. My grandfather came from Creggs, County Roscommon, and he moved to Longford in 1887. Deputy Naughten is a decent man and we represented the people of Roscommon well. I was sorry to have to leave them but, at the same time, I am delighted to represent...