Results 261-280 of 25,304 for speaker:Kieran O'Donnell

Finance Bill 2008: Second Stage (5 Feb 2008)

Kieran O'Donnell: I refer to 1977, when a complete lack of control over public expenditure obtained. As this also is taking place at present, Deputy Mansergh's arguments do not hold up.

Finance Bill 2008: Second Stage (5 Feb 2008)

Kieran O'Donnell: No, if one considers the level of Government expenditure that was funded——

Finance Bill 2008: Second Stage (5 Feb 2008)

Kieran O'Donnell: I have no problem with Deputy Mansergh making reference——

Finance Bill 2008: Second Stage (5 Feb 2008)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. My point pertained to Government expenditure on the public sector, which went out of control in 1977. On taking office, the former Taoiseach, Mr. Charles Haughey, also referred to this point. As for the Finance Bill before the House, the main issue I wish to deal with is that Ireland will face into a difficult economic environment in the coming year. One...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (5 Feb 2008)

Kieran O'Donnell: Question 156: To ask the Minister for Transport the progress to date in his discussions regarding a bilateral agreement with the UK Government in having drivers banned in either jurisdiction, being banned in both jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3494/08]

Written Answers — Railway Safety: Railway Safety (5 Feb 2008)

Kieran O'Donnell: Question 178: To ask the Minister for Transport when he will transpose into Irish law outstanding provisions of the Railway Safety Directive as requested by the Railway Safety Commission and the need for the effective closure of these loopholes as a priority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3495/08]

Written Answers — Regional Development: Regional Development (5 Feb 2008)

Kieran O'Donnell: Question 374: To ask the Minister for Transport the reason the €53 million Mid-West Tourism and Economic Development Plan to address the impact of open skies on Shannon Airport and the mid-west region was not funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3905/08]

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (5 Feb 2008)

Kieran O'Donnell: Question 375: To ask the Minister for Transport the date the two outstanding Government director nominees will be placed on the board of Aer Lingus; the steps the Government is taking through its shareholding and directors on the board to ensure that Aer Lingus retain transatlantic flights from Shannon Airport into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3906/08]

Finance Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)

Kieran O'Donnell: I refer to the measures proposed by the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance in the context of the challenges facing the economy. Today's newspapers highlight a report by NCB stockbrokers, which states growth in the service industry slowed to a four-year low in January, the level of new exports among new service providers fell for the first time in 53 months in January and business confidence...

Finance Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)

Kieran O'Donnell: Yes.

Requests to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 32 (7 Feb 2008)

Kieran O'Donnell: I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to discuss an urgent matter, namely, the reneging by the HSE to pay St. John's Hospital, Limerick, €645,000 owing for medical services facilitating sessional commitments for a consultant-nephrologist and a consultant breast surgeon agreed to and provided up to 31 December 2007, and call on the Minister for Health and Children to...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (7 Feb 2008)

Kieran O'Donnell: Question 33: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when, in view of the recently published Central Bank financial stability report 2007 highlighting Ireland's deterioration in competitiveness and the National Competitiveness Council annual competitiveness report 2007 showing Irish consumer price levels almost 20% higher than the EU-15 average and inflation growing faster...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (13 Feb 2008)

Kieran O'Donnell: I want to take a general view of the provisions of this Bill. While there have been increases under the budget, groups such as the old age pensioners have only received an increase of approximately 6%, with contributory pensioners getting €14 extra a week and non-contributory pensioners getting €12 extra a week. However, inflation as it affects them, in terms of food and heating, is...

Special Educational Needs: Motion (Resumed) (13 Feb 2008)

Kieran O'Donnell: I want to speak on this motion about which I feel strongly. One after the other, Government Members preach that they are in favour of ABA and lecture us to the effect that, if we promote ABA, we are not recognising the other methods, but we do recognise them. TEACCH, PECS and others are great methods in their own right. The matter arising is that parents whose children have been assessed...

Decentralisation Programme. (26 Feb 2008)

Kieran O'Donnell: Question 18: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he has set any target for the number of civil servants and State agency employees who will move to decentralised locations during 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8061/08]

Decentralisation Programme. (26 Feb 2008)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Tánaiste has not answered the question of how many will be decentralised during 2008. This is yet another example of the Government making a political decision, like setting up the HSE. Decentralisation was nothing more than a political decision, made in December 2003 for budget 2004. The Government is now hiving responsibility over to an unaccountable body, the implementation group....

Decentralisation Programme. (26 Feb 2008)

Kieran O'Donnell: This was a political decision by the Government, back in December 2003, when it said it would decentralise 10,300 by the end of 2006.

Decentralisation Programme. (26 Feb 2008)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Government made that commitment but is now blaming the implementation body. Is the Minister taking responsibility for the situation in which we find ourselves, where almost 80% of civil servants have yet to be decentralised and in more than 23 locations absolutely nothing has been done in terms of decentralisation? What is the Minister going to do about it?

Decentralisation Programme. (26 Feb 2008)

Kieran O'Donnell: What is the Minister going to do about it?

Decentralisation Programme. (26 Feb 2008)

Kieran O'Donnell: My party is very much in favour of decentralisation.