Results 481-500 of 706 for speaker:Cathal Berry

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Recent Meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council and the UN Security Council: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (9 Nov 2021)

Cathal Berry: I thank the Minister and his team for coming in and for his detailed opening statement. I have two questions. The first concerns the situation at the Belarusian-Polish border. Large waves of refugees are being used as political pawns, and basically being used in hybrid attacks against the European Union. There have been reports of refugees being flown in from the Middle East to Minsk and...

Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (3 Nov 2021)

Cathal Berry: I acknowledge the Taoiseach's opening remarks. I am grateful for the update on the Council meeting two weeks ago. I have four points to make with regard to the debrief and the Council meeting. The first relates to the rule of law. I share the concerns voiced by a number of Deputies about what is happening in Poland and Hungary at present. The rule of law, fundamental freedoms and...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Oct 2021)

Cathal Berry: The Minister will be aware that, thankfully, a significant number of people throughout the country are now microgenerating electricity from photovoltaic, or PV, solar panels on their homes, farms and businesses. They are doing this for two reasons, namely, environmental and financial. However, they are supplying surplus energy to the national grid and are not receiving remuneration for it....

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (20 Oct 2021)

Cathal Berry: I wish the Minister of State a good afternoon. I welcome this opportunity to make a statement in advance of the European Council meeting in Brussels tomorrow and Friday. I thank the Taoiseach for outlining the agenda, which seems quite full. I am reassured by the fact that that the pandemic is still top of the list because it is actually still with us. I am also happy it is there...

Autism Spectrum Disorder Bill 2017 [Seanad]: Second Stage [Private Members] (20 Oct 2021)

Cathal Berry: I am delighted to be here this morning to speak on this Autism Spectrum Disorder Bill which is very important for a number of reasons, and two in particular. First, it allows us to shine a light on another neglected area in Irish society. Second and perhaps most importantly, it allows us to speak for people who cannot be here this morning. These are the people who are profoundly autistic,...

Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Singapore: Motion (19 Oct 2021)

Cathal Berry: I am delighted to be here today to speak on this motion. The motion is close to my heart for a number of reasons. First, my sister-in-law, Cindy Lee, is Singaporean-Chinese. I have close family out on the island and have been fortunate to have visited the island three times over the past number of years. I can see, understand and speak highly of it. I am also reassured by the fact there...

Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Singapore: Motion (19 Oct 2021)

Cathal Berry: I can assure the Deputy it was not meant in that way, in any shape or form. It is just that I have personal experience in that regard and that simply is the objective position I have adopted.

Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Singapore: Motion (19 Oct 2021)

Cathal Berry: I am in favour of the motion for a number of reasons. First, I have read it and have been through it forensically and can see, from the articles, there are human rights safeguards in there, which gives me a certain amount of reassurance. Second, I have sat through the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence hearing. I have listened very carefully to what the Minister of State,...

Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Singapore: Motion (19 Oct 2021)

Cathal Berry: The clue about what is good about this partnership and co-operation agreement is in the name. It is about partnership and co-operation. There is co-operation on a number of different strands; including from political, economic, climate change, anti-terrorism and judicial points of view. There are many positives. It was never meant as a fait accompli or a final document. It specifically...

Death of Sir Davis Amess MP: Expressions of Sympathy (19 Oct 2021)

Cathal Berry: On behalf of the Regional Group, I echo the sentiments and attitudes expressed already and convey my deepest sympathies to David Amess's family and friends. The lesson I draw from how Sir David lived his parliamentary life is that it is perfectly okay to disagree with somebody while still maintaining a very professional and courteous relationship. Those two states are perfectly compatible...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Partnership and Cooperation Agreement Between the European Union and the Republic of Singapore: Motion (13 Oct 2021)

Cathal Berry: I do not have a question. I just want to welcome the Minister of State and support of the agreement between the EU and Singapore. I have a twin brother living in Singapore so I have a vested interest from that perspective. I have visited there a number of times; it is a lovely location and I approve of the programme and agreement.

Financial Resolutions 2021 - Budget Statement 2022 (12 Oct 2021)

Cathal Berry: This budget is an exercise in treading water. Most of the measures it contains involve frantically trying to keep up with the increase in the cost of living. Inflation is running at 3.7% and is likely to head towards 4% in the new year. One can talk about gross income or net income but the only income that really matters is discretionary income at the end of the week or month. That is...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (7 Oct 2021)

Cathal Berry: I thank the Minister and agree entirely with the principle of her response. That is exactly what the Department of Social Protection should be for. It should be there to provide a safety net and safety blanket when required. I remember processing many claims to the Department and they were dealt with expeditiously and humanely. I appreciate that the Comptroller and Auditor General took...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (7 Oct 2021)

Cathal Berry: That is great. That is reassuring information. I think the appropriate balance was struck between proper checks and controls, on the one hand, and proper humanity, on the other. That is important. The figures the Minister called out at the start of her response were staggering. Some 500,000 people had their claims processed over a three-week period. Those are incredible numbers. The...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (7 Oct 2021)

Cathal Berry: 2. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which the pandemic unemployment payment was paid to ineligible recipients; the way she plans to recoup this funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48673/21]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (7 Oct 2021)

Cathal Berry: I compliment the Minister, her predecessor, Senator Regina Doherty, and her very kind staff in the Department of Social Protection who administered the pandemic unemployment payment, PUP, programme. It has been a revolutionary programme and a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of people. It is one of the reasons we have almost beaten the pandemic and the virus. Last week, the Comptroller...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Fuel Poverty (7 Oct 2021)

Cathal Berry: 184. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the measures he plans to introduce in winter 2021-22 to address fuel poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48674/21]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments (7 Oct 2021)

Cathal Berry: 289. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which the processing of applications for the carer’s and disability allowance is in line with the most expeditious practice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49082/21]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments (7 Oct 2021)

Cathal Berry: 290. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which the processing of appeals for the carer’s and disability allowance is in line with the most expeditious practice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49083/21]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Eligibility (7 Oct 2021)

Cathal Berry: 291. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which satisfactory provision has been made for public sector employees reaching mandatory retirement age prior to reaching pensionable age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49084/21]