Results 341-360 of 2,017 for speaker:Paul Bradford

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (13 Nov 2013)

Paul Bradford: I plead with the Minister, wearing his reform hat and as someone who champions fairness and equality, to take the only reasonable step and the only politically acceptable step. Any citizen of the country who reflects on this section and amendment would take steps to ensure the taxpayer does not pay over money in respect of people who are no longer in a political grouping. If we were paying...

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (13 Nov 2013)

Paul Bradford: On the basis of decent politics and mature politics, the Minister must give serious consideration to bringing about this necessary, desirable, fair, accountable and transparent change. Any other decision makes a mockery of our pretence to espouse reform, fairness and accountability. It is possible for a political party, under this legislation, to legally spend moneys allocated by the...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Report Stage (7 Nov 2013)

Paul Bradford: The two amendments before the Minister speak for themselves but I will add my few words of support to what previous speakers have said. If I recall from the budgetary figures, a saving of approximately €55 million was mooted as a result of the phasing out of the mortgage interest supplement. Is this correct?

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Report Stage (7 Nov 2013)

Paul Bradford: Some of that money is keeping people in houses. We must ensure that the withdrawal of the subsidy will not cause people to leave their houses. Every time a family leaves a property, it is bad for society economically and socially. It puts pressure on housing agencies, local authorities and voluntary housing bodies. This debate is probably part of a wider context about the bigger challenge...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Report Stage (7 Nov 2013)

Paul Bradford: Or mad Mr. Obama.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Report Stage (7 Nov 2013)

Paul Bradford: On the decision to rule amendment No. 10 out of order, is the submission of a report deemed to be a charge on the Revenue?

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Report Stage (7 Nov 2013)

Paul Bradford: All right. I will bow to the Chair's superior knowledge of parliamentary procedure.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Animal Diseases Issues (6 Nov 2013)

Paul Bradford: I appreciate the Minister's interest and willingness to monitor the situation, but I am disappointed with his response. I am requesting that some type of financial compensation be put in place. The Minister outlined the reasons it cannot happen under certain analyses, but there obviously is a need for the Minister of State, the Minister and the officials to meet with the people who have...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Animal Diseases Issues (6 Nov 2013)

Paul Bradford: I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me this opportunity to raise an issue that is of significant concern to pig farmers throughout the country. I am delighted to welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Tom Hayes, to the House. He and his family have a long-standing knowledge and experience of the industry in question. As such, I am sure he has a particular concern for the pig farmers who...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Committee Stage (6 Nov 2013)

Paul Bradford: I am sorry that I missed the initial moving of the amendment under discussion and the contributions of some colleagues. I have listened with interest to what the Minister has had to say in response. We have to respect the requirement for a balanced approach that ensures needs are met but also ensures this can be funded. We would not be having this discussion, and the financial impact of...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Committee Stage (6 Nov 2013)

Paul Bradford: I hope the Minister can give us an assurance that families which will no longer qualify for a bereavement grant that is funded from social insurance will be able to avail of exceptional needs payments if they have a genuine need. There is always some level of need, but we need to be aware that some people are facing additional financial pressures. We all hope the day will come when the...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Committee Stage (6 Nov 2013)

Paul Bradford: -----very suitable resting soil. All of that is part of the problem that we were expecting the bereavement grant to resolve. Of course, it cannot do so. The Minister might pass those comments on to the Minister who is responsible for the cost of funerals.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Committee Stage (6 Nov 2013)

Paul Bradford: Surely it is not the Minister, Deputy Hogan.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Committee Stage (6 Nov 2013)

Paul Bradford: He has enough on his plate. We need some further reassurance that the exceptional needs payment will be triggered in certain cases. There needs to be a reasonable degree of standard response across the country. As politicians, we always like to contact our local community welfare officers to plead for an extra degree of assistance for those whose additional circumstances need to be put on...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Committee Stage (6 Nov 2013)

Paul Bradford: I thank the Minister for her clarification. A saving of €36 million is a significant sum. It is difficult for any Minister in a pressing economic environment to find such a saving. One of the arguments that can be made in support of this measure is the introduction of free GP care for under fives, which should be of assistance to the mothers financially disadvantaged to the tune of...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Committee Stage (6 Nov 2013)

Paul Bradford: In the Minister's response, she might indicate the level of saving her Department will generate from this specific change.

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2013)

Paul Bradford: Or is expelled from.

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2013)

Paul Bradford: It has nothing to do with election expenses.

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2013)

Paul Bradford: On a point of order, because we are being asked to refer to what is in the legislation, as the Minister knows, the legislation has nothing to do with election expenses, particularly prescribed election expenses.

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2013)

Paul Bradford: We are not debating election expenses.