Results 2,081-2,100 of 26,396 for speaker:David Cullinane

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (6 Mar 2013)

David Cullinane: I find it outrageous.

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (6 Mar 2013)

David Cullinane: However, the most outrageous comments I have heard in the Chamber came from Senator Thomas Byrne.

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (6 Mar 2013)

David Cullinane: I did not interrupt anyone. I sat here and listened to all other Senators but other Members like to interrupt when Sinn Féin Members take to their feet because they do not like what we have to say. I ask that other Senators in the Chamber give me some respect and allow me to make the points I am allowed to make. I have four minutes to make my contribution. I am amazed Senator Thomas...

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (6 Mar 2013)

David Cullinane: The Minister asks us to support a grossly unfair, unjust and regressive tax which is not based on ability to pay. The family home does not raise revenue or generate income. The Government can do this through other taxes. The Minister has had any amount of options in the past two budgets to raise taxes on the wealthy and higher earners, but he has failed to do so. Instead, the Government...

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (6 Mar 2013)

David Cullinane: We will continue to fight this tax outside the Chamber. I will make no apology to anyone in the Government or Fianna Fáil-----

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (6 Mar 2013)

David Cullinane: We will robustly oppose this tax.

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (6 Mar 2013)

David Cullinane: That is because Fianna Fáil is in opposition.

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Mar 2013)

David Cullinane: I support the amendment. It is reasonable to have different positions on different parts of the island in view of the fact that Sinn Féin is in an all-party government in Northern Ireland, but also in view of the fact that the rates system there goes back to direct rule. I do not see it as a perfect system but at least I am honest and can come into this Chamber and say that I do not see it...

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Mar 2013)

David Cullinane: I like all the noise in the background when I speak.

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Mar 2013)

David Cullinane: I remind the Labour Party about what it promised in its manifesto, because this goes back to the issue of negative equity. I wish to place a section of its manifesto, from page 16, on the record of the House.

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Mar 2013)

David Cullinane: It is relevant to the amendment.

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Mar 2013)

David Cullinane: I have no intention of doing so. I will read directly from page 16 of the manifesto. It states: Labour accepts that it will be necessary to introduce a site value charge, in order to prevent higher taxes on work. The Government has not, however, carried out sufficient work to allow such a charge to be introduced in the short-term. Further detailed study will be required to devise a fair...

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Mar 2013)

David Cullinane: When the Minister for Finance introduced the property tax on budget day and mentioned the deferral system, there was an element of relief among Government backbenchers who appeared to be of the view that there might be something positive in this. The sting in the tail is that the interest rate applicable to those who choose the deferral option is 4%. In effect, we are penalising people who...

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Mar 2013)

David Cullinane: I accept that certain individuals in the Labour Party say one thing outside the Chamber and then adopt a different position in respect of low and middle-income families when they are in the House. Regardless of whether those to whom I refer like it, I must make the point forcefully that we are referring to people on very low incomes who are being given the option to defer. If they choose...

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Mar 2013)

David Cullinane: The Senator should sit down; she has done enough damage.

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Mar 2013)

David Cullinane: Of course you do. She has just given a Fine Gael rant.

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Mar 2013)

David Cullinane: Bonds, shares, yachts; that is wealth.

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Mar 2013)

David Cullinane: Under Standing Order 62(3)(b), I call for the division to be taken other than by electronic means.

Seanad: Seanad Electoral Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (6 Mar 2013)

David Cullinane: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I wish to commend Senator Crown for tabling this Bill which my party will support, despite the fact that we have difficulties with some of its aspects. I understand the constitutional constraints under which the Senator was working in terms of what provisions and changes could be allowed for in the context of tabling such legislation. If I had...

Seanad: Seanad Electoral Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (6 Mar 2013)

David Cullinane: If I have taken her up wrong, I apologise, but I believe it is a good idea for some elections.