Results 2,581-2,600 of 26,843 for speaker:Richard Boyd Barrett

Fiscal Code (23 May 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Is it not the case, however, that all the variables are moving in the opposite direction? That means it is more likely that the Minister will have to make even bigger adjustments, namely cuts, in order to meet the targets when the treaty's provisions come into force. That fact has been confirmed by Professor John McHale, chairman of the Fiscal Advisory Council. Professor McHale wrote that...

Fiscal Code (23 May 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I am not.

Fiscal Code (23 May 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Really and truly, I think the Minister is trying to blind people with science.

Fiscal Code (23 May 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Is it not the case that the Minister's own figures show that even if those growth projections had held up, we would have been looking at approximately €5 billion to €6 billion to meet deficit targets post-2015? Several billion would also be needed to meet the debt-to-GDP ratio targets contained in the treaty unless there is significant growth in the economy, which there is not because...

Fiscal Code (23 May 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: That has nothing to do with it.

Fiscal Code (23 May 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Tell that to your gang on Leaders' Questions.

European Council Meetings (23 May 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Question 12: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will report on the recent Ecofin meeting; the issues he raised and in particular any measures that were discussed to promote economic growth in Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25656/12]

European Council Meetings (23 May 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I must put it to the Minister that yet again deception is being exercised on our people, particularly in advance of the vote in the referendum on the fiscal treaty. Members of the Government are talking about and using the word "growth" a good deal. We have heard its use again by the Minister, the Taoiseach uses it a good deal and there is good deal of talk about it around the European...

European Council Meetings (23 May 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: -----and whose economy has been destroyed with the imposition of that austerity. Is it not the case that this taken alongside the insulting comment the Minister made about feta cheese, which was insulting to the Greek people who are suffering, are not only insulting to the Greeks but indicate the Minister's Government is still, along with Angela Merkel, promoting the austerity agenda, which...

European Council Meetings (23 May 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Does that analysis not show a very simplistic and inaccurate understanding of what the consequences would be if there was a Greek exit from euro pushed by the austerity that has been imposed by Europe? All the commentators, even the person who negotiated the Greek write-down of debt, have pointed out that we could face a much deeper recession if Greece is forced out of the eurozone to the...

European Council Meetings (23 May 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Pie in the sky.

European Council Meetings (23 May 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: It is not happening. Where is the investment?

National Asset Management Agency (23 May 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I welcome that NAMA funds might be invested back into the economy to create employment and hopefully growth, which seems entirely sensible. I agree completely with the Minister's earlier comments. However, in what should it invest? Are the investment and employment sustainable? What are the long-term impacts of investing in particular areas? Is the Minister not concerned that NAMA's...

Schools Building Projects (23 May 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I have to admit a certain personal interest in this matter. I am the father of a child who attends Newpark Comprehensive School. Another one of my children will go there in a few years time. As Deputy Harris said, Newpark Comprehensive School caters for 830 children. It is one of the few non-fee paying secondary schools in its large catchment area, which extends from County Wicklow to...

Schools Building Projects (23 May 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: The Minister of State's response is not adequate. The parents, students and staff have been fighting for this school and they have gone through all the hoops for 17 years. The Department has long since accepted the urgent need to rebuild this school to enable it to deliver the education syllabus and to provide adequate surroundings in order for 830 students to learn. At present, the school...

Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (23 May 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Like others, I broadly welcome the amalgamation of HETAC, FETAC and the National Qualification Authority into this new body, the QQAI. It makes sense to tidy up and streamline the various bodies that deal with quality assurance and educational awards and to make them compatible with similar systems across Europe. However, following on our discussion earlier on schools like Newpark, the best...

Private Members' Business. National Monuments: Motion (resumed) (23 May 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: It is not possible to overstate the importance of commemorating the site of the 1916 Rising. It is even more important because of the terrible situation in which the country now finds itself. In many ways it is as significant an historic crossroads as the one at which we found ourselves in 1916. It is tremendously important that we honour and pay proper tribute to the heroes of 1916, their...

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (23 May 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Question 61: To ask the Minister for Finance the impact that the recent downgrading of growth projections for the Irish and European economies are likely to have in terms of the fiscal adjustments required to meet Ireland's deficit targets for the years 2013, 2014 and 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25655/12]

Order of Business (24 May 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: It is not agreed.

Order of Business (24 May 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: It is unacceptable that this House will not have the opportunity to debate the outcome of the European Council before the referendum. Yesterday's Council debated the very serious possible consequences of a Greek exit from the eurozone, the very deep crisis within the European economy and a political sea change that is occurring in Europe regarding-----