Results 141-160 of 178 for in 'Dáil debates' speaker:Tom Barry

Common Agricultural Policy Reform Proposals: Statements (13 Oct 2011)

Tom Barry: I am glad to speak on these proposals, which are close to my heart. It was good to see the legal proposals on CAP that were published yesterday. Significantly, Ireland will retain its EU allocation almost completely. The EU is committed to maintaining CAP spending at 2013 levels into the future. One small thing that is worth noting is the doubling of funding for research and innovation in...

Sale of State Assets: Statements (13 Oct 2011)

Tom Barry: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this matter. I share the passion of the Minister about where we are going. Essentially, we are releasing the value of State assets. So be it. That is the situation we are in. We borrowed a lot of money in this country and, as much as we would like to apply haircuts, it is not always appropriate. I am in business myself, and the only haircut I want...

Patents (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (6 Oct 2011)

Tom Barry: I will try to give a five star presentation like Deputy Dara Murphy. I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak to the Patents (Amendment) Bill 2011 which will help to reduce the cost to applicants under the patents process. It is important to note that the introduction of the Bill will have no financial implications for the Exchequer. I wish we could say this more often of other...

Veterinary Practice (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (29 Sep 2011)

Tom Barry: I welcome this opportunity to speak on the Bill. It broadly highlights how Ireland leads the way in animal welfare and in its practical approach to regulation. I congratulate the Minister on his approach. This is a progressive, practical and common sense Bill which brings the experience of those working on the ground to the forefront, with the primary role of ensuring good animal health. I...

Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (28 Sep 2011)

Tom Barry: I wish to share time with Deputy Seán Kyne.

Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (28 Sep 2011)

Tom Barry: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on the Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2011. In essence, this Bill must be introduced to finance the insurance compensation fund. We are all aware of the reason for the establishment of the fund, namely, Quinn Insurance is under administration and is in the process of being sold as a going concern. Sufficient reserves will have to be in...

National Tourism Development Authority (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (22 Sep 2011)

Tom Barry: I welcome the Bill which highlights the Government's commitment to the vital tourism sector, and I warmly welcome the extremely encouraging figures in terms of visitor numbers. Our main markets, Britain and the United States, which account for more than 60% of all visitors to Ireland, saw increases of 8% and 15%, respectively, in visitor numbers, and the figures from Europe are also...

National Tourism Development Authority (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (22 Sep 2011)

Tom Barry: It is, as you can see, a Cheann Comhairle. Capital funding should be available to create tourism apps for specific regions, which would be really helpful. This would allow the tourist to custom plan his or her journey. Informing the public of the huge choice available to it is crucial. Tourism is like any business. It must be marketed in an accessible, cost effective and up-to-date...

Reform of the Common Agricultural Policy: Motion (14 Sep 2011)

Tom Barry: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the motion. In order to look forward we must see where we have come from. It is important to realise that area aid was a price support when we took reductions in commodity prices. Those were the days of milk lakes and beef mountains. We are far away from that. Since those MacSharry reform days we have always had a good record of negotiating in...

Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Jul 2011)

Tom Barry: I welcome the opportunity to discuss the Bill. The JLCs need to be put on a strong constitutional footing. Until this is done, uncertainty will reign, which will be of no benefit to anyone concerned. We have witnessed the death of social partnership, although I have my doubts about whether it was ever a real social partnership. It based its foundations on the notion that money could solve...

Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Jul 2011)

Tom Barry: Regarding atypical hours, countries like Spain virtually shut down on Sunday whereas we have become used to our country working throughout Sunday. People should only work all day on Sunday if something critical needs to get done that day. One cannot demand money from a business if doing so will cause that business to fail in the long term. As many Deputies will realise, the countryside has...

Finance (No. 3) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (22 Jun 2011)

Tom Barry: I welcome the Bill and, more to the point, the spirit of it. We would all like to believe that Ireland is now a pluralist society, one that is outward looking and that respects the rights, the basic rights of every person within it. It gives rights which should have been enshrined already to same sex couples and cohabiting people. There is no marginalisation of the gay community. It also...

Finance (No. 3) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (22 Jun 2011)

Tom Barry: We are off again, just as the Moriarty and other tribunals are finishing. This issue must be recognised as a potential weakness in what is essentially a good Bill. The position is terrible. Obviously, we are all anxious to ensure our people are regarded as equals and that they can continue to live in Ireland, regardless of their sexual orientation. It is welcome that civil partners will...

Finance (No. 3) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (22 Jun 2011)

Tom Barry: I have nearly made my point. In case I land myself in hot soup over intimate and committed relationships which I was about to explain-----

Finance (No. 3) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (22 Jun 2011)

Tom Barry: I will pass.

National Asset Management Agency (15 Jun 2011)

Tom Barry: I call on the Minister to establish an agricultural review board within the National Asset Management Agency. The importance of agriculture to the Irish economy cannot be underestimated. While previous Governments took their finger off the pulse in respect of the importance of agriculture, we are now back to basics once again. Agricultural value added products are a key part of our...

Departmental Agencies (15 Jun 2011)

Tom Barry: Question 34: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the costs involved in funding Pobal per annum; the cost of Pobal's administrative services since its establishment and if the work being sub-contracted out to Pobal could be withdrawn and brought back into the public services, thereby saving considerable amounts of money. [15020/11]

Departmental Agencies (15 Jun 2011)

Tom Barry: I thank the Minister for her response. Does the Minister consider Pobal an extra layer of bureaucracy? While I have no problem with the services it provides, it is a private company providing the service, albeit a charity. Charities incur heavy wageroll costs. In 2008 Pobal's salary costs were €14.6 million, which amounts to €55,000 on average for each of the 266 employees. Does the...

Departmental Agencies (15 Jun 2011)

Tom Barry: The money will be spent anyway, whether we pay Pobal or new staff are allocated in the Minister's Department. Does the Minister consider that it would add to the expertise of the people working in her Department if this matter was examined over time?

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (8 Jun 2011)

Tom Barry: This Bill restores the minimum wage to €8.65 an hour. In my view, as an employer, this should not be regarded as a level that can be worked down towards but rather as a minimum that can be worked up from. Businesses are based on having people working with them and not against them. It is important to make going to work an attractive option and this is the aim of the jobs initiative. The...