Results 15,721-15,740 of 21,514 for speaker:Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Order of Business (11 Feb 2009)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: On 20 January I asked specifically of the Minister for Finance if he had other information he was not sharing with the Deputies on the Opposition benches, whom he was asking to buy a pig in a poke. He was asking us to sign up to the expenditure of public moneys and the exposure of the public finances to what I described as potentially a financial cesspit. That is exactly as it has proven to...

Order of Business (11 Feb 2009)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: That constituted absolute misleading of the Members of this House who were facing a critical proposition — one, thankfully, that a significant body of us had the wit and sense not to sign up to.

Order of Business (11 Feb 2009)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: It is imperative that the Minister and the Taoiseach come before the House to face the real questions about Anglo Irish Bank - what they knew, what they know now, and what they really propose to do about those who betrayed the loyalty and trust that was put in them and the responsibility that was given to them in their positions at the helm of that bank and other financial institutions....

Order of Business (11 Feb 2009)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: -----and these irregular transactions. The big questions are why the Financial Regulator was unable to come clean on these matters, and what was the extent of his knowledge, and that of his office, about these matters.

Official Gifts. (11 Feb 2009)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Question 3: To ask the Taoiseach the guidelines for the acceptance of gifts by Ministers from State agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1779/09]

Official Gifts. (11 Feb 2009)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Yesterday I spoke about the use of the Government jet by the spouses of Ministers or Ministers of State. I made specific reference to the Minister for Health and Children, who was accompanied by her spouse in the incident mentioned by Deputy Gilmore. That trip was under the aegis of FÁS, and we know that there was much controversy in the fall out from the trip, including the personal...

Official Gifts. (11 Feb 2009)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I would like to follow up on that. It may well be that the practices we are discussing are endemic in the private sector. There is more and more evidence of that. The difference is that we are talking specifically about the spending of public moneys by the public sector. The highest standards need to apply in such circumstances. Does the Taoiseach accept that rather than allowing State...

Freedom of Information. (11 Feb 2009)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Question 7: To ask the Taoiseach the number of freedom of information requests received by his Department in 2008 and the same figure for 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1780/09]

Freedom of Information. (11 Feb 2009)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: In light of the scandals in Irish banking and in FÁS referred to earlier and, all too sadly, many others that have come to light in recent times, will the Taoiseach reconsider his position, when Minister for Finance, on the recommendation of the Information Commissioner not to continue to charge fees for FOI requests and appeals? In the context of all that has taken place, does he consider...

Freedom of Information. (11 Feb 2009)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I thank the Taoiseach for his reply. Will he accept it is unfortunate that the argument of vexatious FOIs is used to scuttle any reconsideration of the Information Commissioner's recommendation to abolish fees? In that context, is there not a mechanism that could be introduced for an independent determination as to vexatious as against sincere and serious FOIs? Does he not consider that...

Irish-US Relations. (11 Feb 2009)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Question 14: To ask the Taoiseach the discussions he has had with the new US President; when his next visit to the US is scheduled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1781/09]

Irish-US Relations. (11 Feb 2009)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Can the Taoiseach indicate to us his hopes in respect of an engagement with President Obama other than the photo opportunity of the presentation? Is he hopeful? Does he expect to have a meaningful engagement with the President and to have the opportunity to address, in a serious and focused way, the issue of the undocumented Irish in the United States? All sides of this House share concern...

Irish-US Relations. (11 Feb 2009)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Will the Taoiseach secure assurances?

Irish-US Relations. (11 Feb 2009)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: But to very few others.

Irish-US Relations. (11 Feb 2009)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: It is a very naive acceptance.

Irish-US Relations. (11 Feb 2009)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: It is not. The Taoiseach will always get a pat on the back of the head.

Irish-US Relations. (11 Feb 2009)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: A pat on the back of the head will no longer suffice.

Irish-US Relations. (11 Feb 2009)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Absolutely.

Requests to move Adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 (11 Feb 2009)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to raise the following matter of national importance requiring immediate address, namely, the extent of the knowledge of the Minister for Finance and-or his Department of the irregular transactions between Anglo Irish Bank and other financial institutions including Irish Nationwide Building Society and Irish Life & Permanent when he...

Requests to move Adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 (11 Feb 2009)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: It is difficult to credit that you do not consider that last matter appropriate given the seriousness of the situation.