News & Statements

Parliamentary Question addressed to the Minister for Education and Skills

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 167 of 6 June 2012, regarding the conditions of staff transferring to the Qualifications and Quality Assurance Authority, if he will confirm that the current pension entitlements of staff will be maintained as they currently stand; and if he will make a statement on the matter?

Electoral (Amendment)(Political Funding) Bill 2011

I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute on this welcome Bill, which was promised in the programme for Government. It addresses two important issues, those being, political donations and women's participation in politics

Construction Contracts Bill 2010

I wish to share time with Deputy Tom Hayes. I am pleased that this Bill is back before the Houses. I understand it was the last tranche of legislation dealt with by the last Seanad. There is almost unanimous acknowledgement of the need and the urgency to introduce legislation to regulate payments and disputes in the construction industry.

European Communities (Amendment) Bill 2012

We are all aware of the grave crisis facing Europe such that the future of the Eurozone project is now in question. We can also see how joined at the hip we all are in terms of our financial and economic futures. The availability of a rescue mechanism for Spain, Estonia, Greece or any other member state is as important to Ireland as the availability of such a mechanism for us