Results 201-220 of 839 for speaker:Michael Kennedy
- Medical Cards: Motion (21 Oct 2008)
Michael Kennedy: Deputy Reilly did not want millionaires getting the medical card.
- Medical Cards: Motion (21 Oct 2008)
Michael Kennedy: He should read the article dated 16 December 2007.
- Medical Cards: Motion (21 Oct 2008)
Michael Kennedy: The Deputy changed his mind since he spoke to The Sunday Business Post.
- Medical Cards: Motion (21 Oct 2008)
Michael Kennedy: Deputy Reilly should read the article in The Sunday Business Post dated 16 December 2007.
- Medical Cards: Motion (21 Oct 2008)
Michael Kennedy: The Deputies will be embarrassed.
- Medical Cards: Motion (21 Oct 2008)
Michael Kennedy: They will be here tomorrow.
- Order of Business (23 Oct 2008)
Michael Kennedy: We will be here at 9.30 a.m. on Tuesday.
- Order of Business (23 Oct 2008)
Michael Kennedy: Surely Deputy Reilly will be able to get back from his holidays.
- Order of Business (23 Oct 2008)
Michael Kennedy: Did they demur?
- Written Answers — Commemorative Events: Commemorative Events (11 Nov 2008)
Michael Kennedy: Question 204: To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the request of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin who has suggested an annual soccer game be played in the Island of Ireland Peace Park in Belgium, as a memorial to those soldiers from both sides of the First World War forces who stopped fighting on Christmas Day 1914 in order to pursue an unofficial ceasefire; if he will...
- Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2008)
Michael Kennedy: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to speak on the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill. I am delighted my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Curran is here. I congratulate him on all the work he is doing with the disadvantaged people in our society. Speaking earlier, my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, said it is always important to look...
- Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2008)
Michael Kennedy: They were disingenuous, given that the social welfare budget is â¬19.6 billion, a substantial increase on last year. The least the Opposition Members might have done is acknowledge that fact. We hear much from them on other issues where there is some reduction in spending.
- Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2008)
Michael Kennedy: It is a fact, and of course we acknowledge it. Given the reality of our finances â tax income is down at least â¬6.5 billion this year and next year we will face a deficit of â¬13 billion to keep our economy afloat and look after the less well off in society â the Opposition should acknowledge that the Government is doing a good job. Regarding the Bill, the minimum the Opposition...
- Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2008)
Michael Kennedy: Some â¬2.5 billion extra has been provided in this year's budget. Deputy Naughten conveniently ignores this, but in time he may reflect on it. The sum of â¬2.5 billion is a significant amount of money considering Fine Gael wants to borrow an extra â¬4 billion to fund its interpretation of how the country should be run. We are providing â¬2.5 billion extra in social welfare while the...
- Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2008)
Michael Kennedy: Despite being strapped for cash and under financial pressure, the Government continues to provide for the less well off in our society. That is what Fianna Fáil and its partners in Government are about. This Bill will formalise increases across the social welfare sector. The budget is â¬19.6 billion, some 15% above the 2008 figure. The increases in the Bill are above inflation and will...
- Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2008)
Michael Kennedy: Deputy Burton's Government is on record as giving £1.50.
- Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2008)
Michael Kennedy: I will not remind Deputy Burton of VAT on children's shoes. In these unstable times, these people fall victim to those in Opposition and the media who cast the darkest light on their future. Older people panic. They rely most on our social welfare system and have difficulty fending for themselves. It is, therefore, incumbent on us to look after them. The Government is well aware of this...
- Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2008)
Michael Kennedy: Not one of them said he or she was unhappy with their â¬7 increase. They were all very satisfied.
- Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2008)
Michael Kennedy: They are not losing the medical card. As the Deputy knows, we have looked after the 95% of people who need it.
- Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2008)
Michael Kennedy: Older people rely on the fuel allowance and I am delighted the Government has been very conscious of that. It recognises that elderly people suffer the most during cold winter times. I acknowledge what the Minister, Deputy Hanafin, has done by increasing this allowance by 11%, bringing the weekly payment to â¬20. That forms part of a â¬30 million package which, in the current climate, is...