Results 521-540 of 1,593 for speaker:Mick Wallace in 'Dáil debates'

Topical Issue Debate: Priory Hall Development (16 Oct 2012)

Mick Wallace: About nine months' ago, I visited the building and looked over it. I brought a hammer and had a look at how things were done. To be honest, I was completely shocked. I could not believe that so many different sections could allow what happened to take place. I believe it cannot be made right and it is not possible to bring that development to the stage it should be at for the people who...

Other Questions: Human Rights Issues (17 Oct 2012)

Mick Wallace: The Tánaiste is probably aware the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, was in China recently and she raised women's rights while she was there. She was right to do so. Sadly she has not done the same in Saudi Arabia and it would be a good lead on the part of the Irish Government to raise the issue because the role of women in Saudi Arabia leaves so much to be desired. It would be...

Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (17 Oct 2012)

Mick Wallace: I am sure the Tánaiste is aware that by 2003, only three of the 193 member states of the UN were not signatories to the nuclear non-proliferation agreement, The three who were not signatories were Israel, Pakistan and India, all of whom possess nuclear weapons and who have been rewarded rather than punished for same. Israel receives more American economic and military aid per capita...

Report of the Pyrite Panel: Statements (Resumed) (18 Oct 2012)

Mick Wallace: If I was a home owner in the Visitors Gallery listening to the Minister's contribution, Pontius Pilate is the first image that would have to come to mind. I realise that the Government parties are aware of many of the problems now but it is not good enough that the State is saying that it has to go after different guys. It should go after them in due course but the problem the people...

Report of the Pyrite Panel: Statements (Resumed) (18 Oct 2012)

Mick Wallace: I agree; I do not say the building industry was clean. Plenty of people in the industry behaved poorly. The link between the builders and HomeBond was too strong and cosy. Why is the Government even talking to them anymore? These people should not be tolerated. The Minister should have nothing to do with them.

Report of the Pyrite Panel: Statements (Resumed) (18 Oct 2012)

Mick Wallace: It is outrageous to suggest that the financial institutions do not bear responsibility. If they gave the people affected by pyrite mortgages for their homes, then they sent someone out in advance of drawdown to see if it was safe to part with their money. The agreement was signed off with the banks deeming the homes to be worth the money before granting the mortgages. Now they will walk...

Other Questions: Septic Tank Registration Scheme (23 Oct 2012)

Mick Wallace: I assume the main priority for the European Commission is that we clean up the water table. I agree that we should do that. A few months ago I asked the Minister how many tanks would be inspected. He reckoned the number would be one in eight. I do not know how the water table can be cleaned up if only one in eight tanks are to be inspected. He says he has negotiated with the Commission...

Other Questions: Septic Tank Registration Scheme (23 Oct 2012)

Mick Wallace: What if they got planning permission to do that?

Other Questions: Property Taxation (23 Oct 2012)

Mick Wallace: The Minister claims the house tax will be equitable and his decision to exclude those in receipt of mortgage interest supplement addressed the issue of equity. As he will be aware, Dr. Peter Bacon has pointed out that the chances of this tax being equitable are low because so many people are unemployed, in negative equity or experiencing mortgage difficulty. Many pensioners are also in...

Other Questions: Property Taxation (23 Oct 2012)

Mick Wallace: Is Dr. Bacon's assessment accurate? Is it virtually impossible to introduce an equitable house tax?

European Council Meeting: Statements (24 Oct 2012)

Mick Wallace: I will take less than two minutes and will be quicker than everyone else. I commend the Government on strengthening our relationship with France. Various proposals have been made on eurozone bonds, banking unions, EU wide infrastructure spending and common programmes but all have been greeted with deep suspicion in Berlin. The Germans suspect that the bottom line on these ideas is a...

Statutory Sick Pay: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (24 Oct 2012)

Mick Wallace: The Minister of State, Deputy Sean Sherlock, will not be surprised to hear I believe it is not a good idea to impose these sick pay conditions on employers now. If it had been ten years ago, I would probably not have objected. However, in the current economic climate it is not a good idea. Conditions are already difficult for small and medium-sized businesses. While the Government is keen...

Statutory Sick Pay: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (24 Oct 2012)

Mick Wallace: I thank the Minister of State. Another cost factor is upward-only rent reviews, an issue which was also to be tackled. We know that rents were not touched because it would not have suited the banks, given that they take in the most rents on commercial property. To claim having a review would be unconstitutional is fine, but the Government should have tackled the issue, instead of caving...

Prospects for Irish Economy: Statements (Resumed) (25 Oct 2012)

Mick Wallace: I have no doubt it is very difficult to run a country in difficult times. I do not take anything for granted and realise it is a massive challenge for the Government to make ends meet. It is unfortunate the austerity philosophy is being dictated from Europe and I believe that in a couple of years, if not sooner, there will be a U-turn on it and people will change tack. Sadly, the austerity...

Prospects for Irish Economy: Statements (Resumed) (25 Oct 2012)

Mick Wallace: -----and maximise what we receive under the 12.5% rate, which by any measure is light. Given that the rate of corporation tax in the United States is 35%, I do not think companies will run away from here if we ensure we receive our full 12.5% rate. When the Minister, Deputy Bruton, was on "Morning Ireland" this morning, he was at pains to point out that tax avoidance is legal. I agree...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Retail Guidelines (25 Oct 2012)

Mick Wallace: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of childen's wear retailers who have, to date, signed up to the Retail Ireland Children's Wear Guidelines; if she has been active in encouraging retailers outside of Retail Ireland membership to sign up to the guidelines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46751/12]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Retail Guidelines (25 Oct 2012)

Mick Wallace: I thank the Minister for her reply. Most of us are aware of the fact that the problems in this are have grown in recent years. The move on the part of the Minister and the retail sector is definitely in the right direction but I wonder if there is scope for guidelines such as these to be made compulsory and put on a statutory footing to ensure that childrens' wear retailers prioritise the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Retail Guidelines (25 Oct 2012)

Mick Wallace: On a different, but related issue, I recently read that an American child beauty contest will come to Ireland soon. I am not so sure that we should start going down this road. I would be very wary about such contests because they really amount to an inappropriate sexualisation of children and that is something we should discourage.

Other Questions: Youth Health Issues (25 Oct 2012)

Mick Wallace: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to implement the recommendations of How We See It, Report of a Survey on Young People's Body Image, such as the need for a national positive body image awareness campaign aimed at teenagers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46750/12]

Other Questions: Youth Health Issues (25 Oct 2012)

Mick Wallace: This issue is related to my previous question also. Significant health education is required in this regard, but the issue of education in general must also be examined. I would like to see the secondary education system, in particular, concentrate more on preparing kids for life, not just for taking up a job. I have been coaching under-age teenagers for the past 30 years and if I had to...