Results 2,021-2,040 of 28,162 for speaker:Catherine Murphy

Order of Business (1 Dec 2011)

Catherine Murphy: I also wish to place on record that my opposition to what was agreed should also have been reported.

Health Insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (1 Dec 2011)

Catherine Murphy: If one is looking to pick holes in this Bill, one might ask whether there should be inter-generational solidarity. Of course there should. However, that is if one accepts that private health insurance is an appropriate way to fund the health care system and that people can buy their way into our hospitals, or at least skip other people who might well be more ill. The Labour Party campaigned...

Health Insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (1 Dec 2011)

Catherine Murphy: It involves closing hospitals.

Written Answers — Legal Services Bill: Legal Services Bill (1 Dec 2011)

Catherine Murphy: Question 27: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the new regulatory arrangements recommended by the Competition Authority regarding the Legal Services Bill; if it commented on the importance of maintaining the independence of the regulatory arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37934/11]

Written Answers — Legal Services Bill: Legal Services Bill (1 Dec 2011)

Catherine Murphy: Question 37: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality, in view of the extensive regulatory regime associated with the Legal Services Bill, if a regulatory impact assessment was carried out; if he will provide a copy of that assessment or outline its findings; if no impact assessment has been carried out, whether he intends to arrange to have one done; and if he will make a statement on...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (1 Dec 2011)

Catherine Murphy: Question 130: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he can take account of the inadequate facilities at the Garda station in Clane, County Kildare, which lacks wheelchair access or any private interview space for victims of personal crime including sexual and domestic incidents, has a unisex toilet which contains the only source of water for hand-washing, drinking and cleaning...

An Bille um an Aonú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (An tUachtarán) 2011: An Dara Céim / Thirty-First Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2011: Second Stage (2 Dec 2011)

Catherine Murphy: Before I introduce this legislation, I would like to mention that we were led to believe that a door into the Chamber would not be opened this morning. It is a matter of concern among the Technical Group. It seems to be open now. It was not open when some Deputies tried to use it to enter the Chamber. I understand an instruction had been given not to open the door in question. I am...

An Bille um an Aonú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (An tUachtarán) 2011: An Dara Céim / Thirty-First Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2011: Second Stage (2 Dec 2011)

Catherine Murphy: Tairgim: "Go léifear an Bille an Dara hUair anois." I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I thank the Ceann Comhairle for giving me an opportunity to introduce this very important and timely legislation. I thank my colleagues in the Technical Group for their support in bringing this Bill forward. I look forward to a positive debate, which I hope will be productive. We can all...

An Bille um an Aonú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (An tUachtarán) 2011: An Dara Céim / Thirty-First Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2011: Second Stage (2 Dec 2011)

Catherine Murphy: The whole point of Second Stage of a Bill is to open the debate and to set a framework. The point of Committee Stage and Report Stage is to flesh out the arguments and to table and make amendments. I have no monopoly on wisdom and none of us in the Technical Group think we have such a monopoly-----

An Bille um an Aonú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (An tUachtarán) 2011: An Dara Céim / Thirty-First Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2011: Second Stage (2 Dec 2011)

Catherine Murphy: Indeed, within the Technical Group, we regard difference and diversity as a strength.

An Bille um an Aonú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (An tUachtarán) 2011: An Dara Céim / Thirty-First Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2011: Second Stage (2 Dec 2011)

Catherine Murphy: The fact that some of our colleagues can argue against the points made by the group demonstrates this. We can do so without killing each other. I thank all speakers who contributed to this debate. I refer to the important point made by Deputy Cowen as to the advantage of having this discussion at an early stage in the presidential term. I may disagree with him on the hybrid system of a...

An Bille um an Aonú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (An tUachtarán) 2011: An Dara Céim / Thirty-First Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2011: Second Stage (2 Dec 2011)

Catherine Murphy: On behalf of the Technical Group, I engaged with the other Whips on this issue before returning to my colleagues with a number of proposals. In our discussions one of the major concerns expressed was the lack of a big vision for reform. While changes such as the introduction of Friday sittings and topical debates are welcome, although I am not sure the latter are being well handled, they...

Statements on Expenditure (5 Dec 2011)

Catherine Murphy: In the midst of this crisis, the Government had a real opportunity to be brave and bold and to strike for real citizen-focused reform. What was said during the general election campaign was that one could not cut or tax one's way out of the crisis. We believed the parties that are now in Government. Some of us agreed with them. What is absent is the third way, namely, a stimulus. What we...

Business of Dáil (6 Dec 2011)

Catherine Murphy: Even with the tentatively agreed timetable there was 40 minutes remaining between the final vote and midnight. Adequate time has been provided. As such we should not lose time on Financial Resolution No. 4, which deals with VAT. Discussion on that issue is likely to absorb more time. I ask that the time allocated for debate on that resolution be reinstated.

Financial Resolution No. 3: Carbon Charge on Mineral Oils (6 Dec 2011)

Catherine Murphy: People on the front line, such as the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, have specifically mentioned the issue of fuel poverty. In this regard, they have asked that the fuel allowance rate should not be cut. The number of weeks for the fuel allowance has been cut while fuel costs have been increasing excessively, so people must pay more. I am completely opposed to this measure which will...

Financial Resolution No. 5: Income Tax (6 Dec 2011)

Catherine Murphy: Not everyone who is out sick gets paid fully by the employer. People need to get authorisation by way of a doctor's note. We are trying to force people to come back to work quicker than may well be desirable in many cases. This is a dangerous measure because it encourages people to go back to work, in some cases when they are not fit for work.

Written Answers — School Accommodation: School Accommodation (6 Dec 2011)

Catherine Murphy: Question 91: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if primary school classrooms designed and delivered in recent times will be large enough to accommodate larger class sizes; the design standard that is currently being used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38908/11]

Written Answers — Housing Regulations: Housing Regulations (6 Dec 2011)

Catherine Murphy: Question 250: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if smoke alarms are a current requirement for houses rented from public funds; if not, if he intends to require such provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38909/11]

European Summit: Motion (8 Dec 2011)

Catherine Murphy: Like others, I am deeply concerned about this week's developments in Europe. We are approaching the time by which we must act. While I am on Ireland's side, I am also on Europe's side and I want the project and our Government to succeed, but the way in which events are rapidly developing is giving me serious cause for reflection. Never before has the principle of unanimous consent been so...

European Summit: Motion (8 Dec 2011)

Catherine Murphy: If there is responsible borrowing, by definition there must be responsible lending. While the disastrous policies followed by recent Governments caused many problems, including the property bubble and the way we exceeded the 3% government deficit figure by a mile, which is one of the criteria for joining the euro, exceeding the 60% government debt to GDP ratio by an unsustainable amount has...