Results 461-480 of 1,158 for speaker:Fiona O'Malley

Seanad: Supplementary Budget Statement 2009: Statements (9 Apr 2009)

Fiona O'Malley: It is a pity Fine Gael did not listen to him today.

Seanad: Supplementary Budget Statement 2009: Statements (9 Apr 2009)

Fiona O'Malley: I am pleased Peter Sutherland is receiving such attention in the House today. Everyone on both sides of the Houses seems to be referring to him. He is a man of whom we can all be proud. His reputation throughout the world in the area of business is something from which we can all take a sense of pride. However, having listened to the contributions of many Opposition Members, it is...

Seanad: Supplementary Budget Statement 2009: Statements (9 Apr 2009)

Fiona O'Malley: ——to acknowledge the good work being done——

Seanad: Supplementary Budget Statement 2009: Statements (9 Apr 2009)

Fiona O'Malley: I agree with the speakers who stated this was something of an awful budget, but it was necessarily awful. It is awful for all the people who must pay additional taxes. However, a choice was made and the trouble with governance is that choices must be made. We have a major budget deficit problem. If it were left to the Opposition that would spiral out of control, but where would that leave...

Seanad: Supplementary Budget Statement 2009: Statements (9 Apr 2009)

Fiona O'Malley: This is not a game.

Seanad: Supplementary Budget Statement 2009: Statements (9 Apr 2009)

Fiona O'Malley: Decisions are made and the attitude of the Opposition is most unfortunate.

Seanad: Supplementary Budget Statement 2009: Statements (9 Apr 2009)

Fiona O'Malley: The Senator's attitude is that the Opposition will kill us, but if it is important——

Seanad: Supplementary Budget Statement 2009: Statements (9 Apr 2009)

Fiona O'Malley: I could tell from the Senator's expression——

Seanad: Supplementary Budget Statement 2009: Statements (9 Apr 2009)

Fiona O'Malley: The attitude of another party is unfortunate when the country is faced with very difficult decisions which must be made to deal with a major crisis in terms of the public finances. Fine Gael does not have the courage to introduce a property tax. If the Government introduces such a tax in the next budget I believe the courage to bring about a fairer tax system would be applauded.

Seanad: Supplementary Budget Statement 2009: Statements (9 Apr 2009)

Fiona O'Malley: I am certain the Opposition has already started and it would be no surprise that we would be lacerated by the Opposition if it was introduced.

Seanad: Supplementary Budget Statement 2009: Statements (9 Apr 2009)

Fiona O'Malley: Senators mentioned the national asset management agency, NAMA, and its bail out of the banks, but such comments are doing the country no good in terms of international finance. This morning, I took the opportunity to read the international financial newspapers, the Financial Times in particular. People will be surprised to learn that RTE's economics correspondent, a man who is known to be...

Seanad: Supplementary Budget Statement 2009: Statements (9 Apr 2009)

Fiona O'Malley: I am surprised that everyone believes the cost to the taxpayer will definitely be €90 billion, but it is a long-term solution. It is important to remember that doing nothing was not an option.

Seanad: Supplementary Budget Statement 2009: Statements (9 Apr 2009)

Fiona O'Malley: Nothing would assure a collapse more than sitting tight and letting everything occur around us. Doing nothing is not an option.

Seanad: Supplementary Budget Statement 2009: Statements (9 Apr 2009)

Fiona O'Malley: In government, one must make decisions.

Seanad: Supplementary Budget Statement 2009: Statements (9 Apr 2009)

Fiona O'Malley: I would like to believe we have the Opposition's support, as it would certainly have taken the same decision. If it finds itself being forced to govern, it will quickly discover that every Government decision getting kicked will never——

Seanad: Supplementary Budget Statement 2009: Statements (9 Apr 2009)

Fiona O'Malley: Senator Twomey has made a career out of kicking the Government at this stage.

Seanad: Supplementary Budget Statement 2009: Statements (9 Apr 2009)

Fiona O'Malley: The budget's objective is to achieve a balance between a reduction in costs and an increase in revenue. Given the growth in the budget deficit, the budget was necessary. Senator after Senator referred to how much of a pity it was that more money was not being spent on this or that, but we must stop the deficit from growing. The Minister tried to strike a delicate balance in his budget,...

Seanad: Affordable Housing: Statements (8 Apr 2009)

Fiona O'Malley: I welcome the Minister of State back to the House at what to an extent is an extremely difficult time for him. I do not refer to the immediate issue of his survival as a Minister of State, as I am sure he will, but to the question of dealing with affordable housing in the present climate. I do not envy the Minister of State that task. He is damned if he does and damned if he does not....

Seanad: Affordable Housing: Statements (8 Apr 2009)

Fiona O'Malley: Has he read the markets correctly? It is easy to be wise after the event and to comment on it——

Seanad: Affordable Housing: Statements (8 Apr 2009)

Fiona O'Malley: ——but to forecast what might happen is particularly difficult. This is particularly true when providing services as fundamental as providing a roof over one's head. The upside of this economic downturn is that more people can provide homes for themselves. Whether this is provided by local authorities or by the person, it is a good thing. In every town and some villages, many houses...