Results 2,821-2,840 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government: Motion (14 Jun 2007)

Richard Bruton: He did.

Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government: Motion (14 Jun 2007)

Richard Bruton: He asked, and what is more, we are being asked to endorse a Taoiseach and a Government today in the vote that will be taken later. The issue under discussion is fundamental to the stability of that Government. We have a Minister of State in that putative Government willing to offer the Dáil an explanation as to how the issue of the Taoiseach's finances has been resolved to the satisfaction...

Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government: Motion (14 Jun 2007)

Richard Bruton: He is willing to do it. He has asked that it would be done and I am quite happy to cede time.

Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government: Motion (14 Jun 2007)

Richard Bruton: I am ceding.

Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government: Motion (14 Jun 2007)

Richard Bruton: Deputy Sargent has offered.

Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government: Motion (14 Jun 2007)

Richard Bruton: That is rich.

Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government: Motion (14 Jun 2007)

Richard Bruton: The tribunal suggested that an explanation offered during the election — one which influenced many voters and led to the Progressive Democrats saying this was the most marvellous Taoiseach ever and he should be allowed to continue, having just previously said the explanations were partial and did not stand up to scrutiny — does not tally with the explanation offered by the Taoiseach....

Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government: Motion (14 Jun 2007)

Richard Bruton: I have not changed my tune. It is you and your party who are saying to us that we have failed in our duty by not asking questions and leaving it to the tribunal.

Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government: Motion (14 Jun 2007)

Richard Bruton: You entered into Government without resolving this issue and you are now saying we looked into our heart and we are happy——

Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government: Motion (14 Jun 2007)

Richard Bruton: The Ceann Comhairle should bear in mind that it was the Green Party that initiated this attack on Fine Gael after its time for speaking had elapsed.

Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government: Motion (14 Jun 2007)

Richard Bruton: I am pleased the Minister, Deputy Dempsey, has not been given mathematics in addition to his marine and transport responsibilities because he suggested there was an increase in the mandate for the Government. I remind him the Government lost nine seats. Independents and the Green Party have been brought in to prop up the Government.

Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government: Motion (14 Jun 2007)

Richard Bruton: The previous Government did not increase its mandate.

Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government: Motion (14 Jun 2007)

Richard Bruton: I looked at the programme for Government. I was surprised to see that once again we have a commitment on the establishment of a Dublin Transport Authority and the introduction of integrated ticketing. Members may recall we heard about these previously in the Fianna Fáil election manifesto of 2002. They were also suggested by the then Minister for Public Enterprise, Deputy O'Rourke.

Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government: Motion (14 Jun 2007)

Richard Bruton: The truth is that seven years later nothing has been done by the Government. Deputy Sargent finds solace in the fact that promises have been made and that measurements will be taken. Members referred to measurements in the past. We were to have class sizes of 20 and no hospital waiting lists. These were all in previous programmes for Government but nothing happened.

Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government: Motion (14 Jun 2007)

Richard Bruton: This Government will be judged on how it changes the lives of people not the words written in programmes for Government.

Tax Yield. (26 Jun 2007)

Richard Bruton: Question 75: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he had reason to revise his forecast for tax receipts in 2007-08; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17744/07]

Tax Yield. (26 Jun 2007)

Richard Bruton: Is the Tánaiste aware that the data relating to housing starts suggest that they are 30% down on their peak? Commentators for Davy have indicated that this could lead to housing completions falling from 95,000 to 65,000. Do I infer from the Tánaiste's reply that he sees such a fall-off in housing activity as having no impact on tax revenue? Has he considered the likely impact of such a...

Tax Yield. (26 Jun 2007)

Richard Bruton: I did not inquire about that matter.

Tax Yield. (26 Jun 2007)

Richard Bruton: The Tánaiste has not answered the questions I asked. He devoted most of his time to answering questions which were not those I asked. Davy, which is not regarded as reckless, has indicated that tax receipts in 2008 will decrease by €1.3 billion on the basis of the existing figures for housing. Does the Minister intend to stick his head in the sand, like an ostrich, by pretending that is...

Pension Provisions. (26 Jun 2007)

Richard Bruton: Question 77: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his views on whether the current rules governing the tax relief for pension contributions are equitable in their impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17745/07]