Results 2,501-2,520 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Order of Business. (16 Feb 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: The latest issue of The Irish Times reports that an attitude survey prepared by the ESRI was presented to Cabinet. Will the Tánaiste cause that document to be laid before the House or put into the library? I do not recall an ESRI document being prepared for Government and not presented to the House or published independently. Will the Tánaiste clarify that? I will ask the Tánaiste about...

Order of Business. (16 Feb 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: As this is a Government decision, he seemed to signal that the Tánaiste and the Progressive Democrats were the cause of the cruel deception of Deputy Haughey. Many people are upset about it. I call on the Tánaiste to take the opportunity to say whether the Government Chief Whip is correct in allowing it to be inferred that the Tánaiste and Progressive Democrats were responsible.

Order of Business. (16 Feb 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: I cannot believe The Irish Times would be inaccurate.

Written Answers — Rural Diversification: Rural Diversification (16 Feb 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: Question 82: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on the results of a recent rural dwellers survey; the action her Department is taking to address the reported lack of entrepreneurship and diversification, as reported in the survey; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5926/06]

Ministerial Staff. (21 Feb 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: I agree with Deputy Kenny about the helpfulness of the Taoiseach's political advisers. However, they must have been on holidays over the last few weeks or the Taoiseach slipped off the leash because he is not as sure-footed as he used to be. There must be some explanation for it.

Ministerial Staff. (21 Feb 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: Is there an overlap between the political advisers and staff in constituency offices? There are eight people in the Taoiseach's constituency office at a cost of €250,000 and there are 82 staff employed in Ministers' constituency offices. Coming from this side of the House, one feels that it is not that difficult to get the name of a legendary constituency worker if one has eight people to...

Interdepartmental Committees. (21 Feb 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: I seek clarification of the announcement made by the Taoiseach about the new centre for excellence.

Interdepartmental Committees. (21 Feb 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: Is it an organisation, a quango, a committee or people? Is it the case that the National Development Finance Agency is responsible for identifying and driving infrastructure projects, whether by PPP or otherwise? Is there interaction between the agency and the cross-departmental team? Is the cross-departmental team merely trying to solve or flag problems? Where does the centre for expertise...

Interdepartmental Committees. (21 Feb 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: Is it a stand-alone entity or is it part of the NDFA?

Leaders' Questions. (21 Feb 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: With the Ceann Comhairle's permission, I will continue this theme. Is the Taoiseach aware that on Committee Stage of the Finance Bill today, the Minister has conceded that some 400,000 taxpayers out of a workforce of 2 million have not received their tax allowance and credit certificates yet? More than two months after budget day, the tax certificates for 20% of the workforce are late and...

Leaders' Questions. (21 Feb 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: Many people around the country hope the Taoiseach is right, that Revenue's computer system is the best and most advanced. My perception of the efficacy of the Revenue Commissioners is that they have improved greatly in recent times but when one looks at this kind of statement from our own employer and the fact that 20% of the workforce have not received their tax certificates, one wonders...

Order of Business. (21 Feb 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: This does not happen just on the social welfare Bill. More frequently, this is happening on various Bills brought forward by the Government. What in Heaven's name is the justification for an annual Bill like this being published on Monday and taken in the House on Tuesday? There is no justification. The Minister told us frequently on the airwaves about the new innovations, how complex it is,...

Order of Business. (21 Feb 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: The Taoiseach seems to be irrelevant to this exchange. Is legislation promised to refurbish and maintain the electoral register?

Order of Business. (21 Feb 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: If responsibility were being transferred to an agency other than local authorities——

Order of Business. (21 Feb 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: ——would that require legislation?

Written Answers — Energy Policy: Energy Policy (21 Feb 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: Question 125: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the overall target for renewable energy supply for 2020 and 2050; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6730/06]

Leaders' Questions. (22 Feb 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: Is the Taoiseach satisfied about competition in the financial sector? I refer specifically to the announcement this morning by Allied Irish Banks of a profit of €1.7 billion for the year. Is the Taoiseach aware this is up from €1.37 billion last year? Does he also know this is the highest rate of profitability in Europe? Is he aware that, for example, the two major Irish banks take three...

Leaders' Questions. (22 Feb 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: He said of the banks when he implemented the levy: "It is not unreasonable to see some of their good fortune applied to assisting the public finances". It was the former Minister's view that the banks could afford to make a contribution to the public finances.

Leaders' Questions. (22 Feb 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: The Government has terminated this levy which at least contributed €100 million to the Exchequer, an amount not to be sneezed at. There was then some vague talk about the banks, out of the goodness of their hearts, making a contribution in social finance terms. We know nothing about this social finance fund and no definitive figure has been put on it. We do not know whether it is a per...

Leaders' Questions. (22 Feb 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: It is not worthy of the Taoiseach to engage in silly banter about anybody complaining about the banks being profitable. That is not the issue, and he knows well it is not. The issue is that hundreds of thousands of ordinary bank customers are being milked to contribute to excessive profits.