Results 2,241-2,260 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Joan Burton: I thank the Minister for today's reductions but he should not expect people to cheer too much. He built up the reserves to pay for these cuts by a vicious regime of hidden increases, stealth taxes and charges in the last four years.

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Joan Burton: Many of the 52% of taxpayers who pay for private health insurance are on modest incomes. For these ordinary, hard-working and hard-pressed families, the increase in the cost of private beds in public hospitals will mean another round of insurance increases. It says much about this Government that it cuts the top rate of income tax but not the lower one, and that it pays for this reduction by...

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Joan Burton: There are now more than 3,000 people waiting at least one year for hospital treatments. Figures provided by the Minister last week show that 256 people are waiting for neurosurgery in Beaumont Hospital, 117 of whom have been waiting for over a year. In St. Vincent's hospital, 175 are waiting for pain relief, 65 of whom have been waiting for over a year. In Crumlin children's hospital, 674...

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Joan Burton: If her parents could give her this amount she would be all right. She could then pay €12,000 per year for her mortgage and another €1,800 to €2,400 in management company fees for the apartment she wants. I have known this woman for a number of years and she is always just that little distance away. She cannot make it. She is one of the 6,000 people on Dublin City Council's waiting...

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Joan Burton: However, as we go up in the ratings for owning private jets and helicopters, the parties opposite seem to accept that owning one's own home will not be a legitimate part of the Celtic dream for up to 25% of our working population. That is an incredible change in philosophy in the parties opposite.

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Joan Burton: I could talk about social housing and the poverty trap of rent allowance. Rent allowance costs the Government €400 million per year and I do not need to tell the parties opposite that when a person receives rent allowance his or her right to work is heavily restricted. If one is on social welfare one is put into a poverty trap and a property trap. One cannot work because one loses euro...

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Joan Burton: I want to talk about the environment and the spectre that is haunting the economic and financial plans of every advanced country, namely, the consequence of climate change. For all the attention this budget gives to it one would think our country has some natural exemption and that the Crossmolina floods did not happen. St. Patrick banished the snakes and the Minister, Deputy Cowen, has...

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Joan Burton: This is the first budget to contain a sweetheart letter. This is from our good friend, the Minister, Deputy Roche: Mr. Dick Roche, TD, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, invites interested parties to make submissions in relation to the rebalancing of annual motor taxes to provide an alternative through the motor tax system for the motoring public to drive cleaner...

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Joan Burton: If I know Deputy Roche it will take him at least three months to read the submissions.

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Joan Burton: This is what the Government intends. The Government's record on preparing our country for climate change is lamentable. I never thought the day would come when Irish public servants, who prided themselves on never being caught at anything by Brussels, would be willing to pay billions of euro in fines under the Kyoto Agreement rather than make some of the simple changes.

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Joan Burton: There was a culture among Irish public servants that we did not pay unnecessarily. However, today the Minister said he is allocating more funds for carbon purchases in Kazakhstan. When Borat hears about this he will come and visit us.

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Joan Burton: It is unbelievable. It says it all when climate change is put in the hands of the Minister who cannot get the number of voters on the register right.

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Joan Burton: It is a pollute now, pay later policy. It is environmentally irresponsible nationally and internationally. Why should a rich country like Ireland add to the problem of global warming by increasing greenhouse gas emissions and leave the bill for future generations to pay? That is irresponsible politics and would be addressed by an alternative Government. I am surprised that simple things...

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Joan Burton: Stroke politics ruled the Minister's predecessor but, clever as Charlie McCreevy was, his stroke of political genius was his political nemesis. One year later the Taoiseach threw him overboard at Inchydoheny and told him to swim to Brussels.

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Joan Burton: I advise the Minister to beware of hubris and nemesis. He should not celebrate too much saving up the people's money for today's splurge. What about those who are making a two hour trek to a very expensive house, those paying high child care bills and the unfortunate people on trolleys at accident and emergency units at the weekend? Excuse me if they do not share in the jollification and...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (6 Dec 2006)

Joan Burton: Question 62: To ask the Minister for Transport the way he proposes to ensure that the proposed Dublin Transport Authority is fully accountable. [41664/06]

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (6 Dec 2006)

Joan Burton: Question 91: To ask the Minister for Transport the reason for the ongoing delay in commencing fully the Road Traffic Act 2006. [41665/06]

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (6 Dec 2006)

Joan Burton: Question 199: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of childminders availing of the tax break for childminders introduced in budget 2006, the number in total and the breakdown by county; the explanation she received for the relatively low level of take up; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41866/06]

Written Answers — Early School Leavers: Early School Leavers (6 Dec 2006)

Joan Burton: Question 300: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the rate of retention in secondary school from 1997 to date in respect of schools in the greater Dublin area; the school with the highest retention rate; the school with the lowest retention rate; if she has information on the relative retention rates as between boys and girls at secondary school; and if she will make a statement on...

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (6 Dec 2006)

Joan Burton: Question 302: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the promised second level school in Castaheany; when it will open its doors to students; if the site has been acquired; the cost or estimated cost and the size of the site; the number of pupils the school will cater for; when enrolments will commence; if a principal has been appointed; and when these...