Results 21-40 of 178 for in 'Dáil debates' speaker:Tom Barry

Human Rights Budgeting: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (26 Nov 2014)

Tom Barry: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the motion and I thank Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan for tabling it. The issue is important and I accept we all have a responsibility to look at the social impact of decisions reached. Politicians have a responsibility to lead but also to try to bring people with them. It does not mean people will always agree with policy but I like to think the...

Water Sector Reforms: Motion (Resumed) (20 Nov 2014)

Tom Barry: While it is repeating the point, it is very important to say I absolutely condemn the thuggish behaviour that took place last week. There is no place for it in our democracy. It was shocking. Politicians from all parties might disagree with each other's policies and we might have issues between us, but allowing mob rule is a very dangerous route to take. Not only was the Tánaiste...

An Bille um an gCeathrú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Uimh. 3) 2014: An Dara Céim (Atógáil) [Comhaltaí Príobháideacha] - Thirty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution (No. 3) Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) [Private Members] (20 Nov 2014)

Tom Barry: This is a very important issue. As we all know, water is vital, but we have seen many people use it as a political tool. It is a plentiful resource but, unfortunately, providing it to people in their taps requires much effort. I hope the result of what we have seen over the past while will be the start of a proper water service and that, like our broadband service, this service will be put...

Social Welfare Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Nov 2014)

Tom Barry: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Social Welfare Bill. I welcome the balance that has been struck here. As has been mentioned, there is the increase in the living alone allowance, the Christmas bonus, the €5 increase in children's allowance at a cost of €72 million - a lot of money - and the topical one, the €100 subsidy towards the water charge for those on the...

Finance Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2014)

Tom Barry: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Finance Bill 2014. This is a very important budget and I would like to discuss the measures it introduced relating to agriculture. It is an extraordinary budget for the agriculture industry that is based on taxation review. While the review may have passed by some people, it was long-awaited and it is very in-depth and captured the essence of...

Mortgage Arrears: Motion [Private Members] (4 Nov 2014)

Tom Barry: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this very important motion, and I am glad it has been introduced. I remember writing a document in 2010 called Parked Percentage Mortgage Plan, which was eventually fed into the Keane report, which called it a split mortgage. This was a start, as at the time there was hardly anybody in the country who did not have some iron in the fire, having bought an...

Mortgage Arrears: Motion [Private Members] (4 Nov 2014)

Tom Barry: We must remember that the country is recovering. I am not smiling when I say that. In such a recovery, people have the opportunity to repay more than they thought they could some time ago. It is important that we have a solution for every person involved. Ironically, the solutions fitting mortgages may also help a sector with which I am involved, that of small businesses. Most of these...

Seanad Reform: Motion [Private Members] (16 Oct 2014)

Tom Barry: I welcome the opportunity to speak to the motion. The Seanad has an important role to play. There have been issues in the past but the Taoiseach got very little recognition for his appointees. They made up their own minds and refused to vote with the Government on a number of issues. It is unfair to criticise him when he is trying to make a difference. The referendum has opened up...

Financial Resolution No. 2: Refunds of Appropriate Tax to First Time Buyers (14 Oct 2014)

Tom Barry: I welcome the discussion on this resolution as it is a welcome measure. Simply, it offers full relief on tax on the savings of people who want to buy a new house and as it will run until 2017, it removes pressure from people and allows them time to look for a house. There has been some criticism in regard to the 20% deposit required from house buyers, but that measure brings equity to house...

Financial Resolution No. 2: Refunds of Appropriate Tax to First Time Buyers (14 Oct 2014)

Tom Barry: If any person has a problem with a 4% interest rate, that person should reconsider buying a house. I would much prefer to have a lower principal and higher interest rate than to have it the other way round. The suggestion has been made that property investors are doing well, but property investors have been losing money for the past decade and are still losing money, because the amounts...

Financial Resolution No. 2: Refunds of Appropriate Tax to First Time Buyers (14 Oct 2014)

Tom Barry: I am glad the Deputy recognises that because up to now I only heard him speak about Dublin. I am pretty annoyed about that. Welcome to the rest of the country.

Financial Resolution No. 2: Refunds of Appropriate Tax to First Time Buyers (14 Oct 2014)

Tom Barry: Rural Ireland will also benefit from this budget. Stimulus such as income averaging for farms for three to five years is significant and is also available to farmers who derive off-farm income from on-farm activities or diversification. We aim for an employment figure of 2 million and this will help significantly. People who seek to criticise a stimulus that will help people buy houses...

Agriculture Industry: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (8 Oct 2014)

Tom Barry: I welcome the opportunity to speak on agriculture. I represent the active farmer, which is important because we have many inactive farmers. What I do not like about the motion is that it represents a compensation culture, which is not where we want to go. What are the results of a compensation culture? Our beet industry is gone because of compensation. I thank Deputy Éamon Ó...

Direct Provision for Asylum Seekers: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (1 Oct 2014)

Tom Barry: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important issue. There is merit in an amnesty-type approach at present because we simply cannot have people, and their children who were born here, in the country for so long without making a decision on their status. The problem is that we have never had a proper discussion on this. Why are there so many people in direct provision and why are...

Housing Provision: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (24 Sep 2014)

Tom Barry: First, I wish to congratulate the Minister of State, Deputy Coffey, on his appointment. I have no doubt but that he will do an outstanding job. On reading the motion before Members this evening, one would be forgiven for thinking it is a motion for Dublin, because "Dublin" appears four times within it. For those Members who are from Cork and other counties, it may be a little restricted in...

Order of Business (9 Jul 2014)

Tom Barry: What is the current position on the human tissue Bill? It is of significant importance to those involved in research, especially anatomy departments.

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (14 May 2014)

Tom Barry: I welcome the opportunity to speak to the Bill. Social housing is a major issue and one which is raised weekly in my clinics in Fermoy and Mallow. Some people have spent years on the housing list and it is difficult not to be moved when one listens to their distressing stories. This is an extensive Bill and I will focus on a small number of key areas. An evaluation of actual housing need...

Discretionary Medical Cards: Motion [Private Members] (13 May 2014)

Tom Barry: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this Private Members' motion on medical cards. We need to be cognisant of the fact that this discussion is taking place against the background of our health service which is already costing this country approximately €14 billion. It shows that the Government is committed to health. However, it does not mean that we have a perfect health...

Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (19 Feb 2014)

Tom Barry: I welcome the opportunity to speak about this important matter. We need to step back a little, allow the committee to do its work and let the facts speak for themselves. The media frenzy during the week has been disturbing. At this stage we are analysing our own speculation, which is bizarre. If there is an issue, let it be teased out by the relevant bodies. It is naive to suggest there...

Early Childhood Care and Education: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (12 Feb 2014)

Tom Barry: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this topic. From an Opposition point of view, it must be hard to criticise when one considers the fabulous work the Minister has done in her new role in a dedicated Department for children. It is quite a revelation and a major change. My wife and I were lucky enough to use the services of child care while trying to keep many jobs going at the same...