Results 281-300 of 24,382 for speaker:Seán Barrett

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Joint Sitting with Joint Committee on European Union Affairs
First Vice-President of the European Commission, Mr. Frans Timmermans: Discussion (21 Feb 2017)

Seán Barrett: It does not matter. It has been said and I think it is because we have lost our way. What do we mean by the European Union and the family of European countries? I was first elected in 1974, a year after we joined the then Common Market. The sense of joy at feeling Irish and European was great. There was great excitement. There was a sense of pride when we held the Presidency, a sense...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Joint Sitting with Joint Committee on European Union Affairs
First Vice-President of the European Commission, Mr. Frans Timmermans: Discussion (21 Feb 2017)

Seán Barrett: We have 13 members of the Parliament. We are stuck out here in the Atlantic. Our near neighbour is gone. It is a great tragedy. Let us think of where we are going and reconsider this huge structure. Individual member states want to run their own affairs but share responsibility with colleagues in Europe. It is sad to see what is happening. I hope we do not see any other members leaving.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Credits (21 Feb 2017)

Seán Barrett: 152. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will consider introducing a tax credit at the standard rate for renters to help alleviate the pressure on persons who find themselves paying a large portion of their monthly salaries on rent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8302/17]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (21 Feb 2017)

Seán Barrett: 359. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the OPW will carry out works which will strengthen flood resilience and reduce the risk of flooding in view of the updated models for the Carysfort-Maretimo catchment regarding flood resilience, using an enhanced hydraulic model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8312/17]

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Competitiveness and Economic Growth: National Competitiveness Council (14 Feb 2017)

Seán Barrett: I apologise for being late and please let me know if I have asked a question that has already been answered. On the EU fiscal rules, at a time when interest rates are on the bottom it seems absolutely crazy that we are slavishly going along with these ridiculous rules about the level of investment in discretionary measures which can generate activity. There is no sense or meaning to it. I...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Competitiveness and Economic Growth: National Competitiveness Council (14 Feb 2017)

Seán Barrett: If I could just interrupt Professor Clinch, that is why I should have mentioned, if something is going to be done with the USC, it has to be linked with the tax system payments made, such as the €50 one pays the person to fix the light outside the door. This has to be fixed inside the taxation system, in other words the person who is paying out the €50 will be entitled to get a...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Competitiveness and Economic Growth: National Competitiveness Council (14 Feb 2017)

Seán Barrett: Does Professor Clinch feel that the euro is going to be a thing of the past? That is a nice handy soft question.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Competitiveness and Economic Growth: National Competitiveness Council (14 Feb 2017)

Seán Barrett: Okay. I do not want to put Professor Clinch in an awkward position but all the indicators are that people are getting fed up with it. How long can that be sustained? It has a huge bearing on the whole thing.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Competitiveness and Economic Growth: National Competitiveness Council (14 Feb 2017)

Seán Barrett: Were it not for Tom Roche, we would not have had a bridge across the Liffey. That was the first.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Competitiveness and Economic Growth: National Competitiveness Council (14 Feb 2017)

Seán Barrett: Yes, the East Link.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Defence Forces Reserve: Reserve Defence Forces Representative Association (9 Feb 2017)

Seán Barrett: To follow on form what Senator Lawless has just said, it is 36 years since I was elected to this House and I have never received a more damning report. I am ashamed that I was once a Minister for Defence in the 1990s when the Defence Forces Reserve was always a very important aspect of the overall structure. There is no point in condemning beyond what has already been said. What I propose...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Defence Forces Reserve: Reserve Defence Forces Representative Association (9 Feb 2017)

Seán Barrett: The reports should be sent to the Chief of Staff and the Minister in advance.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Passport Service: Senator Robbie Gallagher (9 Feb 2017)

Seán Barrett: I am happy with the Chairman's support.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Consular Service: Motion (9 Feb 2017)

Seán Barrett: Deputy Crowe has made the point that we should invite an official from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to outline the procedure. How can it happen in Canada and not in other countries, including the United States? As far as I am aware there are no set rules and regulations. I think a lot depends on the ambassador and other factors. That is not very satisfactory. In this day...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Consular Service: Motion (9 Feb 2017)

Seán Barrett: This is not the same as an ambassador. He could be appointed for three years or five years, so if there is a bad appointee, there can be a change. There is no reason they should be permanent.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Skills Development (8 Feb 2017)

Seán Barrett: 80. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the recent plea by the chief executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland to have more persons trained as chefs and skilled hospitality employees due to the crisis that has arisen regarding trained staff in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5763/17]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Syrian Conflict: United Nations High Commission for Refugees (26 Jan 2017)

Seán Barrett: Is there a reason the UNHCR was not invited to the peace talks? Is it a policy decision that the UNHCR does not involve itself or is it the fact that it was not invited? As an organisation that has been deeply involved in the situation it must know a great deal more detail than most of us on this side of the world. It is extraordinary that it would not be involved in any attempts to bring...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Syrian Conflict: United Nations High Commission for Refugees (26 Jan 2017)

Seán Barrett: Does Ms O'Hara agree that the voice of the UNHCR, an organisation that is active at the coalface, is essential in assisting whomever is representing the United Nations in negotiations to try to bring about a peaceful solution to a very difficult problem? If the UNHCR is dealing daily with people at the coalface, surely it is advisable to have representatives of the organisation, not...

Questions on Promised Legislation (18 Jan 2017)

Seán Barrett: I propose setting up a committee to examine why there is an overspend.

Questions on Promised Legislation (18 Jan 2017)

Seán Barrett: Yesterday, the Committee on Budgetary Oversight was presented with a report which showed an increase of €782 million over the allocated amount for 2016 for health. If we take this €782 million overexpenditure and add it to the more than €15 billion in the annual allocation and the approximately €4 billion in private insurance, it adds up to €20 billion for...