Results 361-380 of 1,594 for in 'Dáil debates' speaker:Mick Wallace

European Council: Statements (Resumed) (7 Mar 2012)

Mick Wallace: I note that yesterday, the EU statistics office, EUROSTAT, released figures showing a collapse in household spending, exports and manufacturing that has taken the life out of the eurozone economy in the final months of 2011. Output within the eurozone shrank by 0.3% from the third quarter. Government cuts, increasing indirect taxation and rising unemployment are having a devastating effect...

European Council: Statements (Resumed) (7 Mar 2012)

Mick Wallace: I acknowledge it is a different programme but the Dutch programme states they were meant to reach a target of 3% for each of the next three years. Consequently, they now are in line for a fine. The Dutch had calculated they would need €18 billion in cuts, spread over the next four years, to meet their 3% target but they now will be obliged to make cuts of €15 billion next year alone....

European Council: Statements (Resumed) (7 Mar 2012)

Mick Wallace: Does the Tánaiste agree that statements made yesterday by the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the US were a threat to world peace? Does he agree that under no circumstances should the European Union approve of any form of military strike against Iran? Would he consider taking up the issue with the Israeli ambassador as I thought Mr. Netanyahu went over the top yesterday?

Turbary Rights: Motion (Resumed) (7 Mar 2012)

Mick Wallace: I am no expert on bogs or turf and knew nothing about them until I met Deputy Luke Flanagan.

Turbary Rights: Motion (Resumed) (7 Mar 2012)

Mick Wallace: There are a lot of experts around. I do know if one has a problem in business one must address the issues and deal with them. One finds a solution and moves on. I find it strange that the problems surrounding bogs and turf cutting have been around for a long time without resolution and I wonder why this is. There is little doubt the people protesting this evening and the turf cutters who...

Local Government Reform (8 Mar 2012)

Mick Wallace: Question 5: To ask the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government when he will bring the policy proposals for an action plan on local government to Government; if it is his intention during the lifetime of this Government to introduce substantial and meaningful reforms in this area in view of the centralised nature of governance here; if it is his intention to tackle the...

Local Government Reform (8 Mar 2012)

Mick Wallace: As the Minister realises, Ireland has the most centralised government in Europe and one of the Continent's most ineffective local government structures. I am not sure the measures to which the Minister referred will significantly change that position. Does the Government plan to return some power to citizens? There is a substantial gap between citizens and politics. The former do not feel...

Local Government Reform (8 Mar 2012)

Mick Wallace: Taxes collected at local level should be used at local level. Removing responsibility for motor taxation, driving licences, payroll and water from local authorities will mean they will have even less to do. If the household charge was a tax on homes, we would consider it. However, someone who paid 12% stamp duty on a house purchased for €200,000 will pay €25,000 over a 25 year mortgage,...

Local Government Reform (8 Mar 2012)

Mick Wallace: If people see that services are being provided for their money, they will live with a property tax.

Building Regulations (8 Mar 2012)

Mick Wallace: Question 10: To ask the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government his views on the fact that introducing further rules and regulations to combat the failure of self-regulation, as evidenced in the cases of the Priory Hall and Belmayne developments, Dublin, will not serve to resolve this problem if the will and resources to enforce these are lacking; and if he will make a...

Building Regulations (8 Mar 2012)

Mick Wallace: Question 29: To ask the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government his views on whether rules and regulations in relation to building developments are sufficient in view of recent events at Priory Hall and Belmayne, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13102/12]

Building Regulations (8 Mar 2012)

Mick Wallace: One can have all the regulations one wants but there will have to be enough people to ensure the work is done correctly. Drawings can be checked before and after construction and one can sign off on work. In the case of Priory Hall, not only did the builder say the work was done correctly but so also did the architect and the engineer and Dublin City Council appeared to be satisfied with it.

Building Regulations (8 Mar 2012)

Mick Wallace: Am I to understand that the Minister is thinking of going back to the idea of requiring a clerk of works on-site - someone who represents the council and can make sure the architect, engineer, fire safety officer and builder are doing things according to plan? That would be great, and it would be money well spent. Some badly built developments are known to us, but I would say there are a...

Burial Grounds (8 Mar 2012)

Mick Wallace: I support the concerns expressed by Deputy Dowds on this issue. A few people who make gravestones and from whom I used to buy granite told me how unlevel the playing field has become in terms of their having to compete with the Dublin Cemeteries Committee. These people have set up a substantial stone business and they supply the stone that goes around a grave and the headstone. Unfair...

Overseas Missions (14 Mar 2012)

Mick Wallace: Question 3: To ask the Minister for Defence when Irish defence forces personnel will be withdrawn from Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14581/12]

Overseas Missions (14 Mar 2012)

Mick Wallace: Most people would agree that the war in Afghanistan is one of the madder ones in which anyone has got involved. After 11 September 2001, the Americans were looking for someone to bash and even though no one from Afghanistan was involved in the bombing of New York, they decided to pick on Afghanistan, leading to tens of thousands killed, millions displaced, society destroyed, billions of...

Overseas Missions (14 Mar 2012)

Mick Wallace: Having a UN mandate does not change the fact that it is completely immoral and is an absolute disaster - it does not make any sense. At the moment the British and Americans are clamouring to get out of the place, which is more unstable than ever. World security has reduced because of the experience in Afghanistan and nothing has been gained. The Taliban is stronger now than it was ten...

Defence Forces Personnel (14 Mar 2012)

Mick Wallace: With regard to personnel serving abroad, I would like to put a question the Minister of State may have forgotten to answer previously. Is the Government concerned about the safety of Irish personnel in Afghanistan, particularly given the current climate there? Aside from the 16 civilians, including nine children, killed this week, last month US troops were caught burning copies of the...

Defence Forces Personnel (14 Mar 2012)

Mick Wallace: There is no logical reason for them to be there.

Banking Sector Regulation: Motion (Resumed) (14 Mar 2012)

Mick Wallace: I thought I heard it said here a few months ago that no people would be thrown out of their houses, but perhaps I misheard that. There is no funding available for small and medium-sized businesses. I do not understand how this is. We heard so much about a strategic investment bank, but there is still no sign of it. Patrick Honohan said this month: "A key societal function of banks and...