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

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<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-09.30.0&amp;m=264#g234.0">
	<title>Order of Business | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-09.30.0&amp;m=264#g234.0</link>
	<description>Are there any plans to introduce it because many people in the catering and hotel industry are having a serious problem paying under the National Employment Rights Authority, NERA, agreement...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="234.1">Are there any plans to introduce it because many people in the catering and hotel industry are having a serious problem paying under the National Employment Rights Authority, NERA, agreement systems and the joint labour committee rules?  There are two different regimes in place, for Dublin and outside which is crippling the restaurant and hotel industry. </p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-09T11:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-09.30.0&amp;m=264#g232.0">
	<title>Order of Business | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-09.30.0&amp;m=264#g232.0</link>
	<description>Is the Industrial Relations (Protection of Employment) (Amendment) Bill the same as No. 2, the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill, or is it the one that was laid before the House only two...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="232.1">Is the Industrial Relations (Protection of Employment) (Amendment) Bill the same as No. 2, the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill, or is it the one that was laid before the House only two weeks ago?  </p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-09T11:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.329.0&amp;m=264#g589.0">
	<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=264#g589.0</link>
	<description>Yes, the North Wicklow Times.  It contained two lines yesterday about a bond and some way of recovering pension money for investment in infrastructure.  There was no mention of reducing VAT to...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="589.1">Yes, the North Wicklow Times.  It contained two lines yesterday about a bond and some way of recovering pension money for investment in infrastructure.  There was no mention of reducing VAT to stimulate local spending, or of employer’s PRSI exemptions for new jobs that will not be created without some incentive.  At least if the Government was not getting money it was not having to pay any in the form of the dole.  According to the <i>Financial Times</i>, the Minister for Finance sees the future of the Irish economy in exports and may cause Irish history to repeat itself because Ireland may only succeed in exporting its best hope of recovery, its talent.   </p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-08T18:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.329.0&amp;m=264#g587.0">
	<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=264#g587.0</link>
	<description>Last November when I contributed to the debate on the equivalent Financial Resolution, I concluded by saying, &acirc;��There is speculation that the Minister for Finance will have to introduce a...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="587.1">Last November when I contributed to the debate on the equivalent Financial Resolution, I concluded by saying, “There is speculation that the Minister for Finance will have to introduce a mini-budget in February.  I submit that this mini-budget has already taken place and the real budget will be introduced in February”.  The only thing I was wrong about was the date.  The object of the supplementary budget was to rein in the deficit to within 11% of GDP, as agreed with the European Commission and to restore confidence.  The budget has achieved what it set out as a bookkeeping exercise.  In spite of that, Moodys reduced the credit rating of all 12 Irish banks this morning saying there was an increased exposure to bad debts intensifying.  An article on the back page of today’s<i> Financial Times</i> states that “Ireland budgets again after the party” adding that this may result in its “young, well-educated flexible workforce” making a beeline for the exit.  It adds that our construction-led recession has brought the economy to the point where it could contract by 8%.  It comments that the Minister for Finance had very little room for manoeuvre but that he may have pulled the wrong levers in his haste to comply with the Brussels rules.  The Central Bank had argued that we sharply reduce public expenditure rather than tax our way out.  CNBC stated that the aim of the US Government was to stimulate the economy and one way to do that was to reduce tax.  To increase tax is to stifle the economy.  Caution has not been thrown to the wind.  It was thrown to the wind when we had money to spare, when we had full employment and we abused and butchered the partnership model and process for electoral survival.  The process was used in the past seven or eight years to ensure that everybody was kept happy and quiet in order to survive politically.  It did not stand up to challenges, did not face facts and tell people the hard truths when they needed to be told.  When I see members of that partnership process having their arguments on television every night instead of behind closed doors where they can get down to real business and try to put conditions on the table, it is obvious that it is a defunct model.  </p><p pid="587.2">The Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Curran, said yesterday that he regretted that he had to make some tough decisions and announced the suspension of the community support for older persons scheme.  This scheme provides older people with socially monitored alarm systems which cost €300 per person.  The bill for this last year was €4.3 million.  On 6 April a press release was issued to the effect that “Curran announces further payment of Grants under the Scheme of Community Support for Older People” in which he is quoted as saying “I am delighted to announce funding to a further 49 organisations”.  The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, brought in new nitrates directives for local authorities to inspect farms when the Department already does these inspections yet we are trying to save money.  Does the right hand know what the left hand is doing?  Only 24 hours after announcing that he is opening up a scheme the Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs closes it down.</p><p pid="587.3">I refer again to the <i>Financial Times</i>.  This is not a red top or Sky news.  It is a paper that people who are actively considering where they are going to invest their money read.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-08T18:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.329.0&amp;m=264#g569.0">
	<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=264#g569.0</link>
	<description>That is not what we called for.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="569.1">That is not what we called for.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-08T18:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.571.0&amp;m=264#g572.6">
	<title>Food Labelling. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.571.0&amp;m=264#g572.6</link>
	<description>I will use three minutes of my time and give two minutes to my colleague, Deputy Tom Sheahan, our spokesperson on fisheries. I am grateful to the Ceann Comhairle for accepting this Adjournment...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="572.2">I will use three minutes of my time and give two minutes to my colleague, Deputy Tom Sheahan, our spokesperson on fisheries.</p><p pid="572.3">I am grateful to the Ceann Comhairle for accepting this Adjournment matter.  It is on foot of a recent court case which saw 42 alleged breaches of the Food Safety Act brought against a well known fish company involving 22 packets of salmon which had been tested.  The DNA evidence concluded that they were from farmed fish stock but on a point of law the judge ruled that she could not convict on the basis of the evidence before her.  I understand the point of law was that it was not proven beyond doubt that the farmed fish had not escaped into the wild before they were caught, which is a moot point.</p><p pid="572.4">The temptation to mislead in this case goes to the wider issue of food labelling.  Food labelling has been on the agenda here for the past 12 months, particularly on foot of the pork crisis which proved that more comprehensive food labelling is needed if we are to mitigate against such serious financial, marketing and reputational damage to the country’s food industry such as we saw last year.  A total of €40 per kilo is the price differential at retail level between farmed salmon versus wild salmon — €16.46 to €55.90.  The temptation exists, therefore.  This issue arose previously, following on from the pork crisis, regarding hampers that were being sent to America by another Irish company.  It transpired that the hampers did not contain any Irish bacon.</p><p pid="572.5">The Food Safety Authority of Ireland has called for changes to food labelling.  It has said it encounters many complaints.  I know they are not usually to do with the question of wild versus farmed salmon but Ireland has a fantastic reputation for our wild salmon, hence the price of almost €60 per kilo, and anything that throws that reputation into doubt must be stopped.  The FSAI stated also that there is a lack of legislation on which to base prosecution.</p><p pid="572.6">Agri Aware did a survey last year which indicated that fewer than one in five people in the country was happy with food labelling.  A total of 80% considered that our agrifood industry, which includes our fishing industry, had a reputation worth preserving.  We discussed this briefly this morning but it must be addressed. The court case findings and ruling by the judge must be analysed to see if we can address this situation to ensure it does not happen again.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-01T21:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-31.433.0&amp;m=264#g441.0">
	<title>Social Welfare: Motion | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-31.433.0&amp;m=264#g441.0</link>
	<description>I thank Deputy Enright for tabling this Private Members&acirc;�� motion.  This afternoon I learned of the imminent closure of Schering-Plough in Bray, County Wicklow, which will lead to the loss of 240...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="441.1">I thank Deputy Enright for tabling this Private Members’ motion.  This afternoon I learned of the imminent closure of Schering-Plough in Bray, County Wicklow, which will lead to the loss of 240 specialist jobs and add to the 10,000 people already unemployed in the county.  With unemployment on the rise, we must examine how our social welfare and community support systems operate.</p><p pid="441.2">On 3 March, I put down a parliamentary question asking the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if the various unemployment and training social welfare schemes are outdated in the current economic climate in view of the varied profiles of the people applying for State assistance.  For example, the back to work allowance is designed to assist the long-term unemployed.  It does not, however, define long term.  The Minister’s reply concluded, “the qualifying conditions will continue to be monitored in the context of the objectives of the scheme and the changing economic circumstances”.</p><p pid="441.3">We cannot continue playing catch-up.  Community welfare officers and social welfare inspectors have informed me they are dealing with many new social welfare recipients, profiles of whom they have never before encountered.  Those at the coalface are sending recommendations to their head offices for further assistance, requests which are constantly declined.  They are trying to be creative in the current existing structures because they recognise the predicament faced by social welfare recipients.</p><p pid="441.4">Deputy Charles Flanagan recently raised the matter of 13 of the 15 State prisons being overcrowded.  Last year, 276 people were jailed for failing to repay debt, serving an average of 20 days, which equates to two year’s servitude for a criminal.  All of these people wanted to pay their debts but such a distinction has not been made.  Many of them have been contributors to society, self-employed workers who now cannot get any assistance from the State as they are means-tested.</p><p pid="441.5">In the 1990s, there were start-your-own-business initiatives in which people could access seed capital.  Now, no small business, even those which are relatively healthy, can get seed capital or credit.  People who find themselves in such personal circumstances are being forced to cut into their savings and whittle them down to €20,000.  In crude terms, that is not much more than what will bury someone these days.  The cost of living is going down but the cost of dying is going up.</p><p pid="441.6">We cannot wait until next year to respond; we need to respond now.  We need imaginative thinking to help these people who want to help themselves.  Much of the responsibility for the current economic state of affairs lies with the Government.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-31T19:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-25.633.0&amp;m=264#g713.0">
	<title>Oireachtas Reform: Motion (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-25.633.0&amp;m=264#g713.0</link>
	<description>Coast to coast in America the issue was about the $186 million in bonuses paid to AIG.  It is a significant issue.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="713.1">Coast to coast in America the issue was about the $186 million in bonuses paid to AIG.  It is a significant issue.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-25T20:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-25.633.0&amp;m=264#g708.0">
	<title>Oireachtas Reform: Motion (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-25.633.0&amp;m=264#g708.0</link>
	<description>The issue took up a whole week of discussion in America given its significance.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="708.1">The issue took up a whole week of discussion in America given its significance.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-25T20:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-25.633.0&amp;m=264#g706.0">
	<title>Oireachtas Reform: Motion (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-25.633.0&amp;m=264#g706.0</link>
	<description>Last week, America dealt with the $186 million bonuses paid to AIG.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="706.1">Last week, America dealt with the $186 million bonuses paid to AIG.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-25T20:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-25.633.0&amp;m=264#g699.0">
	<title>Oireachtas Reform: Motion (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-25.633.0&amp;m=264#g699.0</link>
	<description>We have had facile days spent on statements.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="699.1">We have had facile days spent on statements.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-25T20:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-25.633.0&amp;m=264#g667.0">
	<title>Oireachtas Reform: Motion (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-25.633.0&amp;m=264#g667.0</link>
	<description>I had edited it down to seven minutes.  If the Government were a constituent coming to us with its current financial predicament, we would probably send it to something like the MABS.  The first...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="667.1">I had edited it down to seven minutes.  If the Government were a constituent coming to us with its current financial predicament, we would probably send it to something like the MABS.  The first question it would be asked would be what it could do to cut down its daily expense.  What can it do without and still continue to do its job?  One thing we could do is run the country with eight fewer Ministers of State.  It might only save €6 million, which is one thousandth of what we think we might need to find in the next budget — budget 2009, part 3 or is it part 4?  The advice to a citizen would be to identify what he or she must spend money on and what he or she must have to survive.  It is no different for the arms of the State, the political system, the Government.</p><p pid="667.2">Over the weekend I listened to “Spin FF” ask us to get involved in putting forward a national government to save itself rather than save the country.  What happens when we try to put forward some sensible logical and significant saving proposals?  We get the pathetic Government amendment, which finishes by urging “the expenditure review group to expedite its review of where reductions can be achieved within the Oireachtas”.  I wrote a note beside that stating, “Who is in charge?”  My God, the Government is urging the expediting of the expenditure review group in the face of having stated last September that it was in charge and would have an early budget.  It did not know the figures at the time, but it was happy to hazard a guess.  The upcoming budget will probably look to save three times what that “assertive” initiative was meant to do.</p><p pid="667.3">The Government amendment also states it “acknowledges that the business of Government has grown in terms of volume and complexity”.  So has the running of any school, primary or post-primary with a multitude of languages and cultures, and a multitude of different challenges to teachers, staff and pupils.  Yet we have reduced the number of special needs teachers and classes.  There is a school in Bray with 18 children with special needs even though the maximum should be 11 and the minimum is nine.  I have not received an answer to this question yet.  Will they all be assimilated into the one class which would breach the maximum or will seven of those children with the lowest level of disability need to go into mainstream classes and be picked up as best they can?  The Government claims that because it has grown in complexity, it cannot trim its complement of Ministers of State by eight and merge responsibilities.  When we were really flying we were able to manage with 17 and before that with 15.  However, all of a sudden now that things have got more complex we have needed another three.</p><p pid="667.4">People can make up their own minds as to why those extra three posts were created.  I had only been in this House for a week as a new Deputy when that happened.  At the time I suggested that the purpose behind those posts and the hullabaloo regarding new committees was to keep everybody happy and quiet.  It is significant that when partnership was initiated it was to map the road to recovery back in the early 1990s.  In 1997 it was taken and used as a vehicle for survival and political success for the incumbent main Government party.  Everything was solved by spending more, creating more committees and subgroups, and putting people on boards here and there.  The very same thing is happening with these Minister of State posts.</p><p pid="667.5">We tabled a short and succinct Private Members’ motion that would effectively save €6 million from the Government’s cost base.  It has been rejected with a pathetic amendment.  Next week the Government will claim the Opposition is not bothered in engaging with it or in doing anything in the national interest.  We are seeing the shields going up.  While I welcome that the olive branch for the unions and employers to go back into partnership talks has been accepted, it may be that next week those on the Government side will suggest they do not need national government and will do it themselves.  Everything that is done is calculated on the basis of what they need to do to survive.  It is not about the best interests of the country.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-25T19:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-24.128.0&amp;m=264#g138.2">
	<title>Grant Payments. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-24.128.0&amp;m=264#g138.2</link>
	<description>Will the Minister of State accept, on foot of what Deputy Sherlock said, that in isolation miscanthus or willow will not survive?  There currently exists a Cabinet working group on climate change...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="138.2">Will the Minister of State accept, on foot of what Deputy Sherlock said, that in isolation miscanthus or willow will not survive?  There currently exists a Cabinet working group on climate change and energy security.  There is a need for us to tie all of this into one package.  Bord na Móna and the ESB are examining this issue.  Private landowners must be part of a critical mass that will allow this to be sustainable as part of an overall renewable energy policy for the country otherwise this is but a holding exercise which will not be sustainable long term.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-24T16:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-12.328.0&amp;m=264#g329.0">
	<title>Alternative Energy Projects. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-12.328.0&amp;m=264#g329.0</link>
	<description>Question 6: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources  the position regarding the ocean energy fund; the amount of the fund that will be spent in 2009; the projects...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="329.0"><i>Question 6:</i> To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources  the position regarding the ocean energy fund; the amount of the fund that will be spent in 2009; the projects that will benefit from it; and if he will make a statement on the matter.  <b>[10428/09]</b></p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-12T14:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-03.75.0&amp;m=264#g100.2">
	<title>Departmental Procurement Policies. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-03.75.0&amp;m=264#g100.2</link>
	<description>I understand that if jobs are in jeopardy, the Government can invoke this clause to award the contract locally, even if the lowest tender comes from outside the State.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="100.2">I understand that if jobs are in jeopardy, the Government can invoke this clause to award the contract locally, even if the lowest tender comes from outside the State.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-03T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-03.75.0&amp;m=264#g98.2">
	<title>Departmental Procurement Policies. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-03.75.0&amp;m=264#g98.2</link>
	<description>I refer to tenders that must be advertised on an EU-wide basis.  If jobs are placed in jeopardy by awarding such tenders abroad, is the Taoiseach allowed to invoke that clause?  I will draw a...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="98.2">I refer to tenders that must be advertised on an EU-wide basis.  If jobs are placed in jeopardy by awarding such tenders abroad, is the Taoiseach allowed to invoke that clause?  I will draw a simple example.  The PAYE tax booklet, which involved a relatively small contract, was awarded to a printer outside the State.  However, had the Irish and English versions been grouped together, it is possible that it would not have attracted tenders from outside the State.  While I do not suggest this necessarily would have been the case, the Irish version of that booklet was printed here and the English version——</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-03T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-26.272.0&amp;m=264#g298.0">
	<title>Cost and Efficiency Review of Dublin Bus and Bus &Atilde;�ireann: Statements | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-26.272.0&amp;m=264#g298.0</link>
	<description>I am used to not having much speaking time.  I represent a constituency in the commuter belt.  Dublin Bus and the Dublin Transport Authority, when it is fully established, will have...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="298.1">I am used to not having much speaking time.  I represent a constituency in the commuter belt.  Dublin Bus and the Dublin Transport Authority, when it is fully established, will have responsibility for transport services in part of my constituency.  One of the major routes between my constituency and Dublin city centre, the N81, goes through Tallaght, which is in the Acting Chairman’s constituency.  If there were more bus routes on the N81, we would be able to get more buses to stop in Tallaght.</p><p pid="298.2">I was interested to hear Deputy Cuffe’s remarks.  It sounded like an application for the position of chief executive officer of the Dublin Transport Authority.  There was little to argue with in much of what he said about the need to establish an integrated transport system.  Fine Gael and the Labour Party might be in control of Dublin City Council, Limerick City Council and other councils, but I am not sure that we are causing all the problems.  I cannot say whether that is the case.</p><p pid="298.3">The first recommendation in the Deloitte report involves the redesign of Dublin’s public transport network on the basis of recent demographics.  It is extraordinary that the needs of commuter towns that have recently expanded have not been surveyed for many years.  New routes are needed on major commuter arteries to link rural towns and commuter areas.  I have raised this issue on many occasions, but I have not received an adequate response.  No mechanism is in place to modify the delivery of public services according to population needs in places like County Wicklow.  Service reductions have led to the overcrowding of vital commuter buses.  We were promised that six-carriage trains would be provided, but there are just four carriages on the trains that are currently in service.</p><p pid="298.4">If the Government proceeds with the proposed cuts in buses and drivers and keeps new buses parked up, it will be a taking a minimalist approach to achieving cost efficiencies in Bus Éireann.  When I table parliamentary questions on the Government’s strategy for delivering bus services to rural towns, I am regularly informed that the Minister does not have official responsibility for sanctioning bus routes.  I am told instead that it is an operational matter for Bus Éireann.  That is an extraordinary devolution of powers.  When a DART arrives into Greystones station, a Dublin Bus commuter bus often pulls out of the station before people have time to get on it.  Dublin Bus has told me I should raise this matter with Iarnród Éireann, but I suggest that it is far easier to readjust a bus timetable than a railway service on a single line track, such as that between Dublin and Rosslare.  It is impossible to rearrange the schedule, which is tightly organised as things stand.  The rescheduling of Dublin Bus services, which should be a simple operational matter, could de done if people were willing to do it.  We do not have to wait for the Dublin Transport Authority to be established for such simple problems can be solved.</p><p pid="298.5">Other recommendations in the Deloitte report relate to issues like marketing and the simplification of timetables.  When I was in a city in Sweden last summer, I was able to understand a map depicting all the bus routes in the city even though I do not understand the Swedish language.  The map made everything clear — the bus and tram lines, the service times and the fares.  It should be possible to produce a simple tourist card explaining Dublin’s public transport system in terms that are easy to understand.</p><p pid="298.6">The problem is that the system is not as reliable it should be.  The space needed for bus services is congested because too many people prefer to use their cars.  People do not use the bus because it is no quicker than a car.  It is an example of the chicken and egg problem.  If we do not put in place a comprehensive transport management plan for the city and its surrounds, we will not entice people out of their cars and into public transport.  If we take buses out of service, we will certainly not transmit the right message.</p><p pid="298.7">We need to improve the marketing of public transport services.  Mechanisms will have to be put in place to make it much more attractive for people to be in a bus, a tram or a train than in a car.  The initial pain that people might suffer will soon ease.  European cities of a similar size to Dublin do not have the same levels of traffic congestion.  Public transport is used because it is more attractive.</p><p pid="298.8">This report is long overdue.  My main concern is that representations about the service problems in County Wicklow, which we have known about for many years, are being ignored.  Public transport plays a key role in reducing our carbon liabilities.  The Minister for Transport needs to make a major financial commitment to public transport, particularly buses.  He should be involved in the drawing up of short-term and long-term strategies.  We cannot wait for the establishment of the Dublin Transport Authority, even though that will be welcome.  I warn the Minister that he needs to work to ensure the authority does not become a “HSE on wheels”, as someone has suggested it will be.  Officials from the authority should have to attend meetings of the relevant Oireachtas committee more than once a year to make the case for the authority’s funding.  That case should be based on what the authority has achieved in the preceding six or 12 months and what it will do in the following six or 12 months.  Officials from all authorities of this nature should have to regularly justify the continued existence of such bodies.</p><p pid="298.9">When an bord snip nua finishes its work, perhaps Mr. McCarthy will recommend that all the State boards that will remain in place after the process of consolidation has been completed should have to undertake the task I have mentioned.  Public officials from such authorities should have to a duty to justify their budgets in front of committees established by this House.  However, that does not mean more money will have to be spent on Dublin Bus.  It means better value for money should be achieved.</p><p pid="298.10">It is simple.  People have to be held accountable.  It is welcome that the Dublin Transport Authority is being established, but it has to be accountable for what it achieves from its budget.  Its simple goal should be to get more people out of their cars and into public transport.  The amount of time it takes to commute into the city from outside the city, or even within the city, needs to be reduced.  That is a simple goal.  That should be what we are trying to achieve.  Any attempt to blame people will not work.  We have to try to work this out.  The present scenario does not make sense.  Some 90% of people will use public transport if it is attractive to them.  When we go on holiday, we use public transport all the time.  We do not use cars when we go on holiday to urban areas, as it is not cost effective to bring them with us or to hire them when we are there.</p><p pid="298.11">I hope there is an overhaul of public transport services in my constituency as a result of this report.  It is important.  Commuter towns suffer when people have to get into their cars at 6 a.m. to make it into work by 8 a.m. or 9 a.m.  If one is not on the N11 at Kilmacanogue by 6.50 a.m., one might as well wait until 9 a.m.  As I have said all I need to say, I will not use the rest of the time that is available to me.  Perhaps the Acting Chairman would like me to make representations on behalf of Tallaght.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-02-26T13:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-25.894.0&amp;m=264#g1079.0">
	<title>Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009:  Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-25.894.0&amp;m=264#g1079.0</link>
	<description>The vast majority of the finance secured for the works that took place is from institutions that are guaranteed or recapitalised by the Government.  Given that the total amount due is...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="1079.1">The vast majority of the finance secured for the works that took place is from institutions that are guaranteed or recapitalised by the Government.  Given that the total amount due is approximately €500 million or a little more and accounts for only a maximum of 60% of the total investment, it gives us an idea of the level of borrowing that has taken place.  What the Minister has put into this Bill makes those loans not nearly as secure or as sound as they were on foot of a guaranteed contract between the Government and the individuals.  The Government’s actions have added to the level of less safe debt the banks have.  The banks’ loan books have been compromised by their actions.  These are the very banks and institutions that seek guarantees, recapitalisations and foreign investment and promote confidence in our financial institutions, yet by their actions they are compromising that effort.</p><p pid="1079.2">It does not matter which sector of society or business the Government did this to; it has undermined the entire system.  Deputy Burton talked about trying to restimulate the economy.  Last week, AIB put an advertisement in every newspaper saying that it will pay on account.  I went into my bank manager to ask what is going on and was told the banks are receiving directions to issue these letters.  They are asking all farmers to come in and discuss how they will rearrange their repayment schedules.  We have not received a letter of comfort and the Minister says he hopes to have a conclusion with the banks by the end of the week.  That is not good enough.  First, he will have to tell the banks to tell the people with outstanding loans they will have to wait for their money because their actions have caused the loans to be jeopardised.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-02-25T22:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-24.536.0&amp;m=264#g553.0">
	<title>Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-24.536.0&amp;m=264#g553.0</link>
	<description>IMPACT held a meeting in Wicklow last night and the message that came across is that people in general and public sector workers in particular want to know the truth.  They wish to know the...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="553.1">IMPACT held a meeting in Wicklow last night and the message that came across is that people in general and public sector workers in particular want to know the truth.  They wish to know the extent of the problem.  They are terrified that this is not the end and that when higher taxes are introduced, either later in the year or in the budget, they will be hit again.  As previous speakers stated, these people are strongly of the view that they did not cause the downturn in the economy.  Meanwhile, those who should be held accountable are getting away scot free.</p><p pid="553.2">In the Government amendment to Fine Gael’s Private Members’ motion, the issue of capping the salaries of those who run the banks that are seeking recapitalisation has been overlooked.  There is no doubt that the motion, as amended, will be passed by the House tomorrow evening.  Most people would consider annual salaries of €250,000 for those in the banking sector who caused the problems we are facing as being more than generous.  However, all the Government is doing is imposing a 25% cap on those who earn €2 million or €3 million.</p><p pid="553.3">In concluding his speech on budget day last October, the Minister for Finance stated that the budget was “no less than a call to patriotic action”.  If ever legislation was designed to divide the country, it is that currently before the House.  As Deputy Noonan indicated, the preamble to the Bill refers to sharing the burden.  I accept that many in the private sector have lost their jobs and that public sector jobs are somewhat more secure.  However, there is no doubt that those in the public service were prepared to play their part in assisting the process of making cuts in public expenditure.</p><p pid="553.4">Last week the Committee of Public Accounts issued a report on FÁS, which has a budget of €1 billion.  The report indicates that €35 million of this was spent on advertising.  In addition, it states that some procurements and tenders were not appropriate.  The committee made a recommendation which, if the legislation had permitted, would have been stronger.  This matter could have been referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions to carry out an investigation.</p><p pid="553.5">On the day on which the Garda fraud squad raided the bank the Government nationalised, this legislation, which will oblige people earning €15,000 per annum to pay a pension levy of €400, is being debated.  It is not correct to state — as did Deputy Thomas Byrne — that people earning €25,000 will only pay a percentage.  The money in question will be deducted from these people’s essential daily incomes.  Those on higher incomes have somewhat more flexibility and it is, therefore, not fair to say this measure is weighted in favour of the lower paid.  Those on lower pay should not be subject to the levy.  The latter would only be fair and reasonable.</p><p pid="553.6">As already stated, people want to be told the truth.  They also want leadership.  We want to know the extent of the problem in order that we might provide assistance in dealing with it.  People want to hear those who have been in power for so long stating that not everything they did in the past was correct and that they have made mistakes.  It seems to be beyond the members of the current Administration to acknowledge the shortcomings they have displayed while in power.</p><p pid="553.7">I wish to provide an example of the Government’s short-sightedness.  When announcing the cuts of €2 billion, the Taoiseach stated that €300 million in savings would be achieved in respect of the capital programme as a result of the submission of more competitive tenders.  He indicated that work on certain projects could be done for 20% less.  I suggest that the €300 million in savings to which he referred could be used to achieve 20% extra for the economy.  For example, if it were used to keep 5,000 people in employment, an additional €50 million would accrue to the Exchequer as a result of their paying €10,000 each in income tax.  In addition, this would lead to €20,000 <i>per capita</i> — a total of €100 million — being saved in unemployment benefit payments.  Therefore, half the €300 million in savings to which the Taoiseach referred would have been obtained before savings were even achieved.</p><p pid="553.8">A nursing home in Bray, County Wicklow, has been obliged to close down because it constitutes a fire hazard for older people.  It will cost €10,000 per week — €500,000 per year — to place those who lived at the home into outsourced beds.  If this was replicated at 50 other locations throughout the country — which could easily be done — the total saving would amount to €100 million.</p><p pid="553.9">The example of FÁS highlights that a black hole exists in the context of there being too many members on boards.  The Committee of Public Accounts recommended that the board of FÁS be reduced from 17 to nine members.  In addition, FÁS has a number of sub-committees, committees to oversee expenses, etc.  As an organisation, it is all over the place.  The approach of keeping everybody happy must be brought to an end.  We should have explored what could be done in this regard before attacking those who earn €15,000 per annum.</p><p pid="553.10">Retained firefighters, who work on a part-time basis, have not been able to obtain an answer as to whether the levy will apply to them.  At the end of their period of service, these individuals obtain a gratuity rather than a pension.  However, they cannot obtain a simple answer whether the levy will be imposed on them.  There has been a great deal of discussion with regard to retained firefighters, not least those who serve in my constituency.</p><p pid="553.11">What the country needs, if it is to encourage people to pull together, is a thriving private sector which can pay for an efficient and progressive public sector.  There is no doubt that the public sector requires reform because it has become too large.  However, what is being done by means of this Bill should have been done in a way that is fair to everyone.  Fair play is what is required but it will not be achieved as a result of the passage of this legislation.  I urge the Minister for Finance to consider the amendments that will be tabled by the Opposition on Committee Stage because they will be aimed at assisting the country in addressing the financial challenges it faces.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-02-24T21:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-24.158.0&amp;m=264#g194.2">
	<title>Employment Regulation Orders. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-24.158.0&amp;m=264#g194.2</link>
	<description>I accept what the Minister of State said about the JLCs concerning pubs and catering, but how can it be good legislation when there are two separate arrangements?  It seems the decisions are...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="194.2">I accept what the Minister of State said about the JLCs concerning pubs and catering, but how can it be good legislation when there are two separate arrangements?  It seems the decisions are based on what the membership consists of.  It is the same industry with two separate sets of rules, but that does not seem like good or proper legislation across the country.  This matter must be addressed.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-02-24T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
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