Results 61-80 of 566 for speaker:Niall Ó Brolcháin

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I encourage the Leader to arrange a debate on the important issue of fuel poverty. I would prefer that we did not end on this aggressive note but as we leave for Christmas it is important we acknowledge people who are facing financial difficulties and hardship. Nobody in this House wants to see people suffering hardship over Christmas.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: Good.

Seanad: Fish Quotas: Motion (15 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I very much welcome the Minister of State. I hear his passion for the subject and I commend him on that. Many of the issues I wish to raise have been raised. The Minister of State has been congratulated on his work. Conservation is a key issue for the Green Party and the Minister of State mentioned that in his speech. We need to ensure sustainability of stocks. I put on the record before...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: It is not 18.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I will check and get back to the Senator.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: Has Senator Buttimer ever voted against his party?

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: That was a long time ago.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: There are real concerns with regard to the minimum wage which is to be reduced by 12% through this legislation. Social welfare payments are to be reduced by 4%. We need to be careful about poverty traps when considering the reduction in the minimum wage. The Bill provides for certain safeguards, such as giving the Minister the power to vary the minimum wage. I would love to hear a...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I do not always read Fine Gael's pre-budget submissions.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I am concerned about the potential for poverty traps. Clearly the minimum wage cannot be reduced for people who are currently at work.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: It actually cannot happen.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I would like an assurance from the Minister of State that people who are currently in employment will not suffer a reduction in their wages.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: The minimum wage will be reduced by €1 to €7.65. I want to be absolutely certain that the effect of this reduction will be monitored. As I am not completely convinced by the argument that reducing the minimum wage will lead to increased employment, I want to see evidence of the impact of the decision. Reducing the minimum wage will bring it closer to the money one would receive from...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I agree it is the key point.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: As it will be within the Minister's power to vary the minimum wage rate, the safeguards built into the Bill will not be as important as the decisions made by Governments. Ireland has the second highest minimum wage in Europe, after France. It was put in place to safeguard the lowest paid workers in our society and reduce poverty levels. The minimum wage is important and I am glad it was...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I very much support Senator Coffey in his call for a debate on stimulus. Just because he is on the other side of the House does not mean he does not make some valid points.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: I am calling for a debate on stimulus, just as Senator Coffey did, because it is a valid point. In this House we spend a great deal of time discussing the downside in the cuts but it is important we look at ways in which we can avoid cuts in the future. I call also for a debate on the issue of public discourse with the body politic. I had occasion to travel on a bus today on the way from...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: The low regard in which some members of the public-----

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: The Senator was here also. The reality is that the public has a very low regard for politics at present. There is a huge job to be done to win back regard. Both the Opposition and Government need to explore new ways to ensure the people and politicians interact in a more healthy way.

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage (9 Dec 2010)

Niall Ó Brolcháin: The Senator should be careful.