Results 261-280 of 6,627 for speaker:Alan Farrell

Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Second Stage (14 Dec 2012)

Alan Farrell: I accept this is probably not the best time to be introducing a property tax. That it is based on market value means it will clearly be slightly unfair to people in urban areas, particularly Dublin but also Cork, Galway, Limerick and places like that. It is regrettable that those in cities are subventing those in rural areas again, primarily because house values are lower where demand is...

Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Second Stage (14 Dec 2012)

Alan Farrell: I do not understand why we are rushing through this debate to get the Bill passed before Christmas. The reckoning date is May and it is not being introduced until July. I find it very odd that we are rushing through another Bill.

Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Second Stage (14 Dec 2012)

Alan Farrell: The charitable housing bodies have made a cogent argument. I am sure all Deputies have received and read the e-mails. I am not sure why we are taking money from local government to give to local government, which seems pointless. The income limits for exemptions, at €15,000 for an individual and €25,000 for a couple, are clearly too low. What about the couple living next door...

Other Questions: Obesity Levels (19 Dec 2012)

Alan Farrell: To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on proposals to reduce the €1.6 billion costs related to obesity to the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56885/12]

Topical Issue Debate: Local Property Tax (16 Jan 2013)

Alan Farrell: Given the statement by the Revenue Commissioners last week that they will be compiling information on valuing properties for the local property tax beginning in March, it is necessary to provide more information for the public. Assumptions have been made in the media. I have spoken to individuals who are uncertain as to the valuation methods to be used by the Revenue Commissioners. If the...

Topical Issue Debate: Local Property Tax (16 Jan 2013)

Alan Farrell: I thank the Minister for his comprehensive response. Let me return to his point on homeowners being honest in their approach to the process. Once guidance is made publicly available, perhaps it will be a little easier for people to judge how best to approach the process. I am slightly concerned about the process that will apply to a property in a new housing estate where the owner or owners...

Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Jan 2013)

Alan Farrell: The boundary commission's findings were published some time ago but the new year presents a good opportunity to debate proposals for reform of the political system, at least on a geographical basis. There is an appetite for a reduction in the number of Deputies. The people should get what they want in this instance. Speakers have referred ad nauseam to the commitment in the Fine Gael...

Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Jan 2013)

Alan Farrell: That is another argument. The point is that there is an imbalance in representation. It is important that there be a re-balance and that is why I am pleased to see the extra seat being allocated to the north side of Dublin and my constituency. Political reform is not a reduction in the number of Deputies; rather, it is changing and consolidating what they do. It is about defining the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: NAMA Portfolio (17 Jan 2013)

Alan Farrell: To ask the Minister for Finance if there is a liaison facility in place in the National Assets Management Agency for homeowners of properties owned by developers who are under the remit of NAMA in order to resolve ongoing issues of health and safety requirements in these developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1767/13]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education Standards (22 Jan 2013)

Alan Farrell: 232. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the recent report carried out by employers groups that shows a concern of writing ability of Irish graduates; if he will be acting on this report to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2423/13]

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Job Creation (22 Jan 2013)

Alan Farrell: 312. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on the Social Justice report that stated Ireland is behind targets agreed with the EU on job creation as agreed as part of Europe strategy 2010, particularly with reference to the method of calculation that was used by the EU in the creation of these targets; the way that Ireland compare to other jurisdictions in the EU in...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Tobacco Control Measures (22 Jan 2013)

Alan Farrell: 590. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider on the possibility of increasing to 21 years the legal age for a person to purchase and use tobacco products due to the increasing number of smokers amongst young women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2422/13]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Reform Implementation (23 Jan 2013)

Alan Farrell: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will outline, as per the current Croke Park agreement, the structures that have been put in place by the Implementation Body for Departments that are underperforming; the penalties in place for such Departments; if the implementation process of the Croke Park agreement will be revisited in the negotiation process for 2014 to enhance...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Job Creation (23 Jan 2013)

Alan Farrell: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of jobs that have been created to date as a result of the EU €2 billion stimulus package; the number that will be put in place by end 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2836/13]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Review of Legislation on Prostitution: Discussion (Resumed) (23 Jan 2013)

Alan Farrell: On the assumption we would follow the Swedish model, Ms Linda Latham stated that we would perhaps have to re-examine our attitudes to the commercial sex industry. Will she elaborate on this? Ms Latham also raised the short working week permitted on a student visa here. Will she also elaborate on this?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Review of Legislation on Prostitution: Discussion (Resumed) (23 Jan 2013)

Alan Farrell: I have some brief questions. I thank the delegates for their presentation. I will be honest. I read the submission and it was the first time I have encountered this part of the sex industry in the context of the discussion we have been having. It is very useful. What percentage of the overall sex market is homosexual? A rough idea will do; I just want to understand the market. What...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Review of Legislation on Prostitution: Discussion (Resumed) (23 Jan 2013)

Alan Farrell: So it is not specific to a person being trafficked because he is gay.

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Action Plan for Jobs (24 Jan 2013)

Alan Farrell: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans for an action plan for jobs in 2013; when this is due to be published; the number of submissions received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3181/13]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Administration (29 Jan 2013)

Alan Farrell: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who have left or changed rent supplemented accommodation this year due to the reduction in rent supplement allowable since January 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3924/13]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Pyrite Panel Report Implementation (5 Feb 2013)

Alan Farrell: To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the basis on which the National Standards Authority of Ireland has been asked to report to his Department on the subject of pyrite testing; when this will be published; the consensus amongst stakeholders regarding the funding for testing for pyrite in properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5083/13]