Results 221-240 of 1,730 for speaker:Colm Keaveney

Private Members' Business. Small Primary Schools: Motion (31 Jan 2012)

Colm Keaveney: I now recognise the informed contribution that has been made in that respect.

Private Members' Business. Small Primary Schools: Motion (31 Jan 2012)

Colm Keaveney: It can also be said with some justification that the current Minister for Finance and the Irish people face a greater challenge in many respects than that faced by the first Minister for Finance in this country. I am sure that the thinking and listening Minister for Education and Skills would have wished for better times. His vision for education could have been realised in full, but none...

Private Members' Business. Small Primary Schools: Motion (31 Jan 2012)

Colm Keaveney: That puts into context the intention of the Minister for Education and Skills to protect the most vulnerable people in our society in difficult times. Savings cannot be made without the pain the Opposition has imposed on this country but we will do it by consultation with all key stakeholders, including patrons, parents, local communities and teachers.

Private Members' Business. Small Primary Schools: Motion (31 Jan 2012)

Colm Keaveney: Front line workers in education will not suffer a 15% pay reduction as Fianna Fáil inflicted on communities.

Private Members' Business. Small Primary Schools: Motion (31 Jan 2012)

Colm Keaveney: This Government is committed to protecting the Croke Park agreement today and the protection of teachers' pay tomorrow. However, pay makes up 80% of the total spend in education so cuts have to be found somewhere. The INTO is in danger of playing into the hands of Fianna Fáil, which cut 15% of their members' pay in the past, by seeming to refuse to engage constructively in a discussion on...

Private Members' Business. Small Primary Schools: Motion (31 Jan 2012)

Colm Keaveney: Even after the changes in threshold for small primary schools are implemented, the average pupil teacher ratio in a two-teacher school will be 7:1, or 17:1 in a three-teacher school. As a father of three school-going children, and as someone from a rural area, I am sensitive to the decisions that are taken with regard to small schools. A calm, rational debate is needed, examining all...

Private Members' Business. Small Primary Schools: Motion (31 Jan 2012)

Colm Keaveney: The idea of looking at clusters of schools that will work together and serve the needs of the area by providing a choice for parents and maximising the opportunity for efficiencies. This will ensure that the quality of education will be at the forefront of the Government thoughts.

Private Members' Business. Small Primary Schools: Motion (31 Jan 2012)

Colm Keaveney: I conclude by commending the Government amendment to the House.

Private Members' Business. Community Employment Schemes: Motion (7 Feb 2012)

Colm Keaveney: I am listening to the Deputy.

Private Members' Business. Community Employment Schemes: Motion (7 Feb 2012)

Colm Keaveney: What about the hundreds of teachers Sinn Féin is firing in the North?

Private Members' Business. Community Employment Schemes: Motion (7 Feb 2012)

Colm Keaveney: It is Mr. David Cameron's austerity. It is the fault of the Brits.

Private Members' Business. Community Employment Schemes: Motion (7 Feb 2012)

Colm Keaveney: To save money.

Private Members' Business. Community Employment Schemes: Motion (7 Feb 2012)

Colm Keaveney: Sinn Féin invited the troika to Ireland.

Private Members' Business: Community Employment Schemes: Motion (Resumed) (8 Feb 2012)

Colm Keaveney: In a healthy, free and open democracy parliamentary opposition is to be valued. It is a necessity. Governments ought to be kept in check and have their policies scrutinised by the Opposition. In that respect, I welcome the motion tabled by Sinn Féin. One cannot demand that the criticisms of the Opposition always be constructive - that would be unrealistic - but one can hope they would...

Order of Business (9 Feb 2012)

Colm Keaveney: With the publication of the Finance Bill, will the Minister give the House some indication of when we will have an opportunity to discuss the Bill? I note that section 14(6) of the Bill was not included in the explanatory memorandum. This allows for education fees to be paid to employees participating in SARP. Effectively, employers would not have to be charged tax on education fees up to...

Order of Business (9 Feb 2012)

Colm Keaveney: The parents of Irish citizens are not as fairly treated in the payment-----

Order of Business (9 Feb 2012)

Colm Keaveney: -----and compared with persons who have already been in receipt of generous tax allowances-----

Order of Business (9 Feb 2012)

Colm Keaveney: Would the Minister be in a position to clarify when she will have an opportunity------

Finance Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (16 Feb 2012)

Colm Keaveney: It is a good document.

Finance Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (16 Feb 2012)

Colm Keaveney: I broadly welcome the provisions of the Finance Bill and what it represents. It is a continuation of the process of the onerous task by the Government parties of returning the finances of the State to a sustainable condition while protecting services and tackling the legacy of chronic unemployment left by the last Government. It is also important in terms of our efforts to regain full...