Results 2,041-2,060 of 21,514 for speaker:Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

EU Summits. (7 Mar 2006)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: The Taoiseach employed the word "bizarre" in his initial response but that term more aptly applies to his own response in its entirety. I specifically asked if it was intended to address this matter in any of the bilaterals that will take place on the margins of the upcoming summit, but the Taoiseach did not answer.

EU Summits. (7 Mar 2006)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: The second question was on health-related services and the issue of country of destination. I did not ask the Taoiseach to go through the 1,000 amendments he cited, rather those two issues in particular. I cannot for the life of me understand how the Taoiseach can believe that the stance taken is in the interests of Irish workers. There are very few who would agree with that analysis.

Leaders' Questions. (7 Mar 2006)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I join with the Taoiseach and Deputies Kenny and Rabbitte in expressing sympathy to the child and family of the late Donna Cleary. I absolutely deplore her brutal murder, which underlines the need to consider other, more effective ways of addressing the supply of guns and weapons in our society. The focus should be on the drugs trade in particular, which sustains the armed criminal gangs not...

Leaders' Questions. (7 Mar 2006)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: As a result, the Taoiseach and his colleagues facilitated, letting off the hook, those whose responsibility it was to provide 20% social and affordable housing within all private developments. The Government rammed through and guillotined in Christmas week 2002 a revisitation of that requirement, which allowed those developers to buy out of their responsibilities to address the social and...

Leaders' Questions. (7 Mar 2006)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I am happy to say that my colleagues on Dublin City Council have a very honourable record on the issue of housing and development, something I doubt that the Taoiseach could place his hand on his heart and claim. The Taoiseach has an interest in accountancy. When he talked of dividing by two and multiplying by 20 I wonder what in the name of God this would bring one to. What was it all about?

Leaders' Questions. (7 Mar 2006)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Just to give the Taoiseach some real statistics, the reality since 2002 is that more than 230,000 homes have been completed and put on sale. Approximately a third of these were bought as second homes or to be owned by investors. At best, it is estimated that only 1,600 houses have been provided under Part V since 2002. The Taoiseach should check the statistics with his colleague in the...

Leaders' Questions. (7 Mar 2006)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I supported it. It is a measure that needs to be implemented. Will the Taoiseach revisit the amendment he rushed through the House in Christmas week 2002 and restore the original intent and purpose of the 1999 Act? This "get out" clause is making an absolute ass of the entire intent, if it was real from day one. I remind the Taoiseach of what the then Minister said on that day. He stated:...

Leaders' Questions. (7 Mar 2006)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: It reads like a sick joke for any of the 43,000 people in question and their families, more than 130,000 citizens who are waiting to be properly housed in the State. It is an indictment of the Taoiseach and his Government's failure to recognise their primary responsibility to the ordinary citizens and not the interests of the developer class. Will the Taoiseach reverse the amendment of...

Leaders' Questions. (7 Mar 2006)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Will the Taoiseach reverse the decision of December 2002?

Leaders' Questions. (7 Mar 2006)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Legislation is required.

Order of Business. (7 Mar 2006)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: What will happen at 11 p.m. is that those amendments tabled by the Minister and not discussed will be put to the House. None of the other amendments will be considered and the House will not have had the opportunity to discuss, hear the arguments for and tease out the detail of any of the amendments presented by the Minister. Those amendments will be agreed on the basis of the voting pattern...

Order of Business. (7 Mar 2006)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: He may protest but I have no doubt that he recognises the absolute unsuitability of the process. Contracting this debate into four hours is ridiculous and unsatisfactory, and accordingly I oppose the proposal.

Order of Business. (7 Mar 2006)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: As regards the Harding Clark report on the maternity unit of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, the Tánaiste said last week she would bring proposals to Cabinet today. She indicated that legislation would be required for the issue of pursuing the insurers but not for the redress scheme.

Order of Business. (7 Mar 2006)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I am not debating it. I am speaking on promised legislation that the Tánaiste indicated in the House last week for the potential securing of funding from insurers and other possible sources for the proposed redress scheme. This was to be addressed today at Cabinet. Has the Taoiseach done so and has he made a decision to bring forward legislation in the way the Tánaiste described? How soon...

Finance Bill 2006: Report Stage. (7 Mar 2006)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I am sure the Minister is tired listening to the same arguments, so I will try to be simple and brief. On Committee Stage, the Minister responded passionately in regard to Revenue's efforts to advise citizens of their entitlements to claims for tax credits, refunds, rebates and so on. In my experience, the overwhelming numbers of ordinary citizens who broadly come from the lower middle income...

Finance Bill 2006: Report Stage. (7 Mar 2006)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: A large number of people would avail of the opportunity, which would be good. I encourage the Minister — I am not here for an argument — to think about it because greater proactivity will result in a fairer and better supported tax system. People will recognise that there is fairness, that it is not only about the pursuit of unpaid taxation, taxation evasion, taxation avoidance or...

Finance Bill 2006: Report Stage. (7 Mar 2006)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I had a great day there and look forward to returning.

Finance Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (7 Mar 2006)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I, too, support Deputy Bruton's amendment. Any measure of relief or support which can be directed towards those who are providing caring support in the home is to be welcomed. The limited supports and poor opportunities for further relief currently available to those who provide service, commitment and care in the home impose a responsibility on us to reflect the interests and needs of home...

Finance Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (7 Mar 2006)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I support Deputy Bruton's argument on behalf of home carers. The Minister did not respond to my question, although I accept that he may not be in a position to do so. If that is the case, clarification could be provided later. I do not wish to impinge on this commendable amendment but the Minister, in his response, indicated an estimated cost in excess of €60 million, yet many amendments...

Finance Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (7 Mar 2006)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I support amendment No. 9. From the first part, it is clear that this is not intended to be only a one-way street. It may very well facilitate the collection of revenues due that might not otherwise present. It puts the onus on State and other bodies to make the necessary returns of all moneys received. It is likely that other bodies exist that do not currently make all the returns, and this...