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<title>John Gormley - Recent appearances (From KildareStreet.com)</title>
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<dc:date>2009-04-15T16:11:18+00:00</dc:date>

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<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.329.0&amp;m=338#g413.0">
	<title>Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.329.0&amp;m=338#g413.0</link>
	<description>The Deputy&acirc;€™s party let them get away with the &acirc;€śCinderella&acirc;€ť clause.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="413.1">The Deputyâ€™s party let them get away with the â€śCinderellaâ€ť clause.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-08T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.329.0&amp;m=338#g411.0">
	<title>Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.329.0&amp;m=338#g411.0</link>
	<description>We did do so, more than the Deputy&acirc;€™s party did.  That is nonsense.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="411.1">We did do so, more than the Deputyâ€™s party did.  That is nonsense.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-08T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.329.0&amp;m=338#g405.0">
	<title>Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.329.0&amp;m=338#g405.0</link>
	<description>The Deputy should look at the record and contrast it with that of her own party.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="405.1">The Deputy should look at the record and contrast it with that of her own party.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-08T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.329.0&amp;m=338#g403.0">
	<title>Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.329.0&amp;m=338#g403.0</link>
	<description>The Deputy is talking nonsense.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="403.1">The Deputy is talking nonsense.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-08T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.329.0&amp;m=338#g399.0">
	<title>Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.329.0&amp;m=338#g399.0</link>
	<description>In delivering its social housing policy, my Department will work in close co-operation with our partners in the local authorities and the voluntary and co-operative housing sector. I published...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="399.1">In delivering its social housing policy, my Department will work in close co-operation with our partners in the local authorities and the voluntary and co-operative housing sector.</p><p pid="399.2">I published the Green Paper on Local Government Reform in April 2008.  Other changes have informed our approach to policy development since then.  A significant shift was prompted by the publication of the OECDâ€™s review of the Irish public service and the report of the task force on the public service, Transforming Public Services.  The Government recognises that local government must have a stronger and more meaningful role in public sector activity at local level.  The economic challenge and the work of the Commission on Taxation are clearly of direct relevance to the future of local government.  The forthcoming White Paper will reflect these developments.  Since the beginning of this process, my goal has been to strengthen local democracy.  This objective is now more pressing than ever.  A local government system with stronger democratic leadership at its heart will be an essential element in assisting local authorities to take local initiatives to respond to economic recovery and, where possible, drive and lead local development to hasten that recovery.  I am finalising the content of the White Paper on local government for Government consideration and subsequent publication.  It is my intention to see a stronger, more vibrant and more accountable form of local government at the end of this process.</p><p pid="399.3">The local government sector alone is responsible for a total spend of some â‚¬12 billion this year and with its democratic mandate and broad range of responsibilities the sector is pivotal in promoting and facilitating economic development at local level.  Like all sectors, local councils are facing significant financial challenges resulting from the economic downturn and are acutely aware of the importance of mitigating costs borne by business in the present climate.</p><p pid="399.4">At the end of last year, I urged all local authorities to exercise restraint in setting any increases in commercial rates in their 2009 budgets in order to support competitiveness in the economy, nationally and locally, and to protect the interests of communities.  Local authorities have responded positively, and the national average increase in annual rates on valuation is limited to 1.15%.  In addition, I have written recently to local authority managers in respect of the contribution that can be made by local authorities to the maximisation of economic activity and employment at local level.  In particular, I asked them to strengthen business support structures to facilitate local business initiatives and developments, with speed and flexibility in the current difficult operating environment.</p><p pid="399.5">The local government fund will receive an Exchequer contribution of â‚¬417 million in 2009, together with the proceeds of motor taxation of some â‚¬1,040 million.  Although the income from these sources is reduced from what was available in 2008, it will be supplemented by the pension-related deduction, estimated at â‚¬80 million, which local authorities will retain.  Deputies will also recall that the Government decided in the last Octoberâ€™s budget to broaden the revenue base of local authorities by the introduction of an annual charge of â‚¬200 on non-principal private residences.  Good progress has been made with the drafting of the legislation necessary to underpin this charge, and I expect to be in a position to bring it before the House shortly after Easter.  The Government remains committed to implementing the charge in order to realise a revenue yield projected at â‚¬40 million in the current year.  This will be retained by the local authorities which collect it.  Local authorities are gearing up to implement the charge, and payment will be accepted electronically through a website being developed by the local government computer services board.</p><p pid="399.6">It is particularly important now for everyone in the local government sector to work together to ensure that we achieve value for money.  Although it is clear that local authorities have made significant strides over recent years in pursuing efficiency and value for money in their operations, there will always be scope to obtain better value.  I look to management and elected members alike to continue to pursue the efficiency agenda in conjunction with their business and other partners through the improved governance structures that have been put in place in recent times.</p><p pid="399.7">The Environmental Protection Agency received a significant increase of over 40% in funding from the Exchequer in 2008.  The reduction in the 2009 allocation reflects the fact that work on the construction of the agencyâ€™s new headquarters building has progressed well and will require less capital expenditure this year.  Like all public bodies, the EPA will need to seek further efficiencies and reduce costs in the year ahead.  Nonetheless, I am satisfied that the 2009 provision for the agency will enable it to continue to carry out its important environmental functions.</p><p pid="399.8">The allocation to the built heritage still represents a significant investment in the conservation and protection of our rich heritage resource.  This will allow for financial support to be provided for the various schemes even though at some reduction.  I am conscious of the value of this support in terms of employment in the conservation sector, regeneration of our historic buildings and the contribution to sustainability and tourism.  My Department will also continue with the national inventory of architectural heritage, its architectural advice series booklets and the World Heritage programme.</p><p pid="399.9">With regard to the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the reduction in available resources will necessitate a sharp focus on the priority objectives we have set ourselves in nature conservation, as well as honouring declared and statutory commitments.  I will give priority to ensuring that we meet our obligations under the EU directives on birds and habitats.  Concerning the protection of raised bogs, which are designated as special areas of conservation, SAC, we will do all we can to achieve the protection of these sensitive habitats.  A new working group will report back to me as a matter of urgency on how to acquire management control of these peatlands and how to address the financial resource implications in 2010 and beyond.  It is well recognised that our national parks are a much valued and utilised resource both for the national population and for tourists.  The NPWS will strive to ensure that these facilities continue to attract visitors and it will provide the highest level of visitor facilities possible within the current financial and staffing restrictions.</p><p pid="399.10">In making the hard choices required in the current economic circumstances, the 2009 Supplementary Budget Statement was prepared in a responsible way.  It will protect environmental and economic sustainability while protecting the most vulnerable of our society.  The choices have been hard but the Government is resolute in its determination to put our public finances on a sound footing for the good of the country and our future prosperity.  My partyâ€™s involvement in Government is to the public good.  We are in Government to achieve the policies for which we stand.  The Green Party has clearly demonstrated its capability in Government of facing up to huge challenges whose likes have not been seen for generations.  I and my colleagues are firmly committed to securing our policies into the future.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-08T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.329.0&amp;m=338#g396.0">
	<title>Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.329.0&amp;m=338#g396.0</link>
	<description>Looking beyond 2009, there will be a continued need for further flexibility and imagination in how we meet housing needs.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="396.1">Looking beyond 2009, there will be a continued need for further flexibility and imagination in how we meet housing needs.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-08T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.329.0&amp;m=338#g393.0">
	<title>Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.329.0&amp;m=338#g393.0</link>
	<description>This includes a number of energy efficiency measures targeted towards improving performance in the social housing stock and a number of regeneration programmes that will continue to be driven by...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="393.1">This includes a number of energy efficiency measures targeted towards improving performance in the social housing stock and a number of regeneration programmes that will continue to be driven by an ambitious agenda of social, economic and physical renewal.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-08T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.329.0&amp;m=338#g391.0">
	<title>Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.329.0&amp;m=338#g391.0</link>
	<description>We intend to make the most significant adjustments in areas where we believe the changed housing market environment provides the greatest opportunity for new and flexible approaches to programme...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="391.1">We intend to make the most significant adjustments in areas where we believe the changed housing market environment provides the greatest opportunity for new and flexible approaches to programme delivery.  This will allow us to lessen the impact of our more constrained resource environment to a greater extent than would otherwise be possible.  The roll-out of the new long-term leasing initiative for social housing is a prime example of this.  It will allow us to match social housing need with the increased availability of good quality homes on the market.  The Government recognises the significant labour intensity of particular programmes and their capacity for maintaining and supporting employment and yielding a significant environmental dividend.  To the greatest extent possible, we reflect social and employment considerations in our ongoing commitment to regeneration and remedial works projects.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-08T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.329.0&amp;m=338#g388.0">
	<title>Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.329.0&amp;m=338#g388.0</link>
	<description>While we recognise that the pool of resources available to us has reduced, we will continue to prioritise activities that focus on meeting the needs of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="388.1">While we recognise that the pool of resources available to us has reduced, we will continue to prioritise activities that focus on meeting the needs of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in society.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-08T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.329.0&amp;m=338#g385.0">
	<title>Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.329.0&amp;m=338#g385.0</link>
	<description>We will focus on a number of specific objectives.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="385.1">We will focus on a number of specific objectives.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-08T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.329.0&amp;m=338#g383.0">
	<title>Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.329.0&amp;m=338#g383.0</link>
	<description>We must ensure our policies are well grounded and targeted to new realities and that those who must operate within these policy spheres can do so with the minimum of regulation.  There have been...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="383.1">We must ensure our policies are well grounded and targeted to new realities and that those who must operate within these policy spheres can do so with the minimum of regulation.  There have been numerous calls for better planning regulation.  I am happy to inform the House that I will act to streamline the planning system through a new planning and development (amendment) Bill which I hope to publish shortly.  My primary aim is achieve a greater coherence between the national spatial strategy, regional planning guidelines and development and local area plans, in particular in so far as the zoning of land is concerned, to secure a better return from our investment on infrastructure.</p><p pid="383.2">I will also take this opportunity to modernise the foreshore consent process and the legislation underpinning it to provide for an accelerated timeline for the granting of licences that will facilitate the achievement of high renewable energy targets.  I refer to the target of achieving 40% by 2020, for example.  This will be an important step forward.  The key objective will be to offer a better service to all stakeholders, including Government infrastructure providers, State bodies and the public, through a model that fully integrates and streamlines estate management on the State-owned foreshore with the strategic planning consent process.  I am examining a range of measures to support a speedier planning appeals process.  I am exploring the possibility of allowing the larger local authorities in the Dublin region to act on an agency basis when preparing reports for An Bord PleanĂˇla appeals.  That would help the board to deal more speedily with the backlog of cases that are currently before it.  I will also allow the boardâ€™s quorum to be reduced from three to two for routine cases.  The measures I am taking in the planning area will be welcomed by everyone involved.</p><p pid="383.3">In a time of recession and belt-tightening, it is more important than ever to look to the future.  We need to plan effectively and strategically if we are to do what we can, individually and collectively, to grasp the opportunities and build on the advantages at our disposal.  An Economic and Social Research Institute report that was published last month, Macroeconomic Context for a Sustainable Recovery, signalled that the economy will continue to need a high level of public investment in infrastructure over the coming decade.  If we are to optimise the resources available to us, investment must be clearly co-ordinated and prioritised in locations with the potential to drive regional and national competitiveness and the capacity to grow.</p><p pid="383.4">The national spatial strategy must remain the principal basis for this.  This view is shared by the National Competitiveness Council and the National Economic and Social Council, both of which acknowledge that strong cities act as economic engines to drive growth and enhance regional and national competitiveness.  The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is finalising a review and update of the national spatial strategy.  It is assessing how the strategy is being implemented.  The review will underline the key infrastructural and organisational priorities that are necessary if we are to improve our national competitiveness, contribute to economic renewal and support future economic development.</p><p pid="383.5">Some â‚¬500 million is being provided for water services infrastructure this year.  Even in adverse economic times, that represents an increase of 2% on the 2008 outturn.  This provision reflects the Governmentâ€™s ongoing commitment to preserving and protecting our water resources as a key element of environmental policy, meeting EU standards for drinking water and waste water treatment and putting critical infrastructure in place that will ensure ongoing support for industrial, commercial and other development.  Investment under the water services programme will support over 4,000 jobs in the construction sector this year.  It will support many additional jobs in manufacturing and in operating and maintaining the new infrastructure.  We are determined to maintain and build on the good progress that has been made with the water services programme in recent years.  Some 150 schemes are in progress and we expect 40 of them to be completed this year.  We are planning to start at least as many new schemes later in the year.  Momentum will be maintained on the delivery of priority projects.  The tighter economic situation that now prevails means we must redouble our efforts to ensure that key environmental and economic objectives are delivered.  We will benefit considerably from the more competitive tender pricing that is being obtained in the current operating environment.</p><p pid="383.6">There is an ongoing need to expand and improve our water and waste water treatment capacity so that environmental standards can be attained.  Improvements are needed to anticipate future economic and social development needs and align investment decisions with other national priorities within the framework of the national spatial strategy.  Water services investment will be at the core of future economic development.  I attach considerable importance to the future direction of investment in this area.  Therefore, I have asked my Department to undertake a review of the priority rating of all new projects over the coming months.  This will form the basis for the next phase of the water services investment programme.  While I reiterate that the Government will maintain a strong level of investment in water services, I emphasise that critical assessment criteria will single out the highest priority projects for future investment.</p><p pid="383.7">Allocations amounting to â‚¬100 million have been notified to local authorities under the rural water programme for 2009.  The ongoing work under the programme will see compliance with national drinking water standards in group water scheme households rise to 98% by the end of the year, compared to 95% at the end of 2008.  This programme has made huge inroads in improving rural water supplies across the country.  It deserves due recognition for its practical achievements in recent years.  It has improved the water supply quality of many rural communities.  Many Deputies will be familiar with the extent of progress under this programme.  I am happy to recognise this achievement.  The Government is determined to build on the success of recent years, when a great deal was achieved in the water services sector.  The level of compliance with the requirements of the EU urban waste water treatment directive on secondary waste water treatment facilities now stands at 92%, compared to 25% at the start of 2000.  In the intervening period, some 442 water and waste water schemes have been completed, delivering an increase in waste water treatment capacity that is equivalent to meeting the needs of 3.2 million people.  Water treatment capacity has increased by 838,000 over the same period.</p><p pid="383.8">The Governmentâ€™s commitment to housing is well established.  In the more accommodating budgetary environment of recent years, substantial resources were invested in the broad spectrum of social and affordable housing measures and a range of improvement and regeneration programmes.  We used those resources well.  Record levels of activity were achieved last year.  The needs of 19,500 households were met through the full range of social and affordable housing programmes.  As is the case in many other areas of activity, the record levels of resources that were available in previous years are not available for 2009 and will not be available for a number of years.  We must make significant adjustments across a range of housing programmes.  Most importantly, over â‚¬1.4 billion will be available to us for housing in 2009.  That is a significant level of investment at any time.  It is crucial that we deploy such resources in as flexible and imaginative a manner as possible so that we achieve the optimum outcomes in terms of meeting housing needs.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-08T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.329.0&amp;m=338#g381.0">
	<title>Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.329.0&amp;m=338#g381.0</link>
	<description>When I presented the carbon budget in October, I pointed out that the projections available at that time in terms of greenhouse gas emissions were likely to overstate the position for the Kyoto...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="381.1">When I presented the carbon budget in October, I pointed out that the projections available at that time in terms of greenhouse gas emissions were likely to overstate the position for the Kyoto period, given the rapidly changing economic outlook.  This has been confirmed in the most recent analysis by the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, published on 13 March.  This analysis takes account of a macro-economic scenario prepared by the ESRI which assumes that GNP will contract by 7% between 2007 and 2010.  Based on this information, the EPA has projected that with full implementation of all of the emission reduction measures already announced, the distance to target for Kyoto compliance will now be between 1.3 million and 1.8 million tonnes per annum over the 2008-12 period.  </p><p pid="381.2">Deputies will be aware that the distance to target is the gap which must be bridged by further measures or by Government purchases of credits under the flexible mechanisms of the Kyoto protocol.  It is now clear that the deterioration in the short-term macro-economic outlook will exceed that scenario, thus even these latest greenhouse gas projections are already out of date.  Some commentators have suggested that we may now achieve Kyoto compliance without any recourse to carbon credits.  Definitive judgment in this regard must be informed by further analysis by the EPA.  In the meantime, I want to inform the House that I have asked the NTMA to put on hold its programme of carbon purchasing for the foreseeable future.  Those purchases to which we are already committed should be certainly adequate to meet whatever need is likely to arise in the Kyoto period.  Also, any surplus can be carried forward for use after 2012.</p><p pid="381.3">Our climate change policy needs to look far beyond Kyoto compliance.  It would be a profound misunderstanding of the realities of climate change to see these recent developments as a reason to ease off on our efforts to drive down emissions across the economy.  Under the new EU climate package, we must by 2020 reduce our emissions by 20% from their 2005 level.  We will have an even more ambitious target when there is a new global agreement on climate change.  For this reason, side-by-side with the Governmentâ€™s work to secure our economic recovery, we have maintained our focus on climate policy. The home insulation incentives announced recently will generate employment while reducing emissions from the sector.  This has proved extremely popular with up to 94,000 households now registered.  The smarter travel strategy provides the framework for a more sustainable transport future.  We are placing a major emphasis on the role of green technology in our economic recovery.</p><p pid="381.4">Last weekâ€™s signing of an agreement with Nissan and Renault is an important sign of our intent to exploit the potential of electric vehicles.  Work is continuing, under the Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security, on the development of further measures.  Every crisis must be turned into an opportunity.  Our response to this crisis must be to ensure that when economic growth resumes it will be on a low-carbon trajectory.</p><p pid="381.5">Not everything is about how much we spend on this service or that project.  We must also look at the way we do things to ensure we are effective and sharply focused in the right direction.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-08T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.329.0&amp;m=338#g376.0">
	<title>Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.329.0&amp;m=338#g376.0</link>
	<description>Deputy Coveney rightly pointed out a few moments ago that we were not responsible for this crisis and that is a fact.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="376.1">Deputy Coveney rightly pointed out a few moments ago that we were not responsible for this crisis and that is a fact.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-08T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.329.0&amp;m=338#g372.0">
	<title>Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.329.0&amp;m=338#g372.0</link>
	<description>When I presented the carbon budget in October-----</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="372.1">When I presented the carbon budget in October-----</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-08T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.329.0&amp;m=338#g370.0">
	<title>Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.329.0&amp;m=338#g370.0</link>
	<description>I am more than happy at any stage to compare and contrast our record of achievement in a short space with that of the Opposition parties.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="370.1">I am more than happy at any stage to compare and contrast our record of achievement in a short space with that of the Opposition parties.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-08T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.329.0&amp;m=338#g368.0">
	<title>Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.329.0&amp;m=338#g368.0</link>
	<description>We will continue with a major reform of the banking system and will introduce the most rigorous form of regulation.  When the Labour Party was in Government, this did not happen.  That is a fact.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="368.1">We will continue with a major reform of the banking system and will introduce the most rigorous form of regulation.  When the Labour Party was in Government, this did not happen.  That is a fact.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-08T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.329.0&amp;m=338#g366.0">
	<title>Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.329.0&amp;m=338#g366.0</link>
	<description>I understand that a Minister of State post was created for Deputy Rabbitte on that occasion.  Deputy Shortall should take a look back at the record of that time.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="366.1">I understand that a Minister of State post was created for Deputy Rabbitte on that occasion.  Deputy Shortall should take a look back at the record of that time.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-08T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.329.0&amp;m=338#g364.0">
	<title>Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.329.0&amp;m=338#g364.0</link>
	<description>We have introduced a cap on spending on local elections.  The Labour Party did nothing.  We will go much further when it comes to curbing and policing political donations.  The Labour Party had a...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="364.1">We have introduced a cap on spending on local elections.  The Labour Party did nothing.  We will go much further when it comes to curbing and policing political donations.  The Labour Party had a chance to do that but did not do so.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-08T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.329.0&amp;m=338#g361.0">
	<title>Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.329.0&amp;m=338#g361.0</link>
	<description>We have abolished ministerial pensions for sitting Deputies while Labour Party in government did nothing in that regard.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="361.1">We have abolished ministerial pensions for sitting Deputies while Labour Party in government did nothing in that regard.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-08T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.329.0&amp;m=338#g358.0">
	<title>Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.329.0&amp;m=338#g358.0</link>
	<description>-----while the Labour Party increased the number when last in Government.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="358.1">-----while the Labour Party increased the number when last in Government.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-08T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>


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