Results 301-320 of 839 for speaker:Michael Kennedy

Public Finances: Motion (3 Mar 2009)

Michael Kennedy: I am doing so. Fine Gael has not made a single specific proposal.

Public Finances: Motion (3 Mar 2009)

Michael Kennedy: Fine Gael Members have never costed any of their pious statements. They never back them up with a single cent, much less the €16.5 billion and more, after today's Exchequer figures, that this country must save.

Public Finances: Motion (3 Mar 2009)

Michael Kennedy: Fine Gael Members will have credibility after outlining where they intend to save €18 billion. The same is true for the Labour Party. Not alone does it not cost anything, it does not even have proposals. Although Fine Gael sometimes waffles on about some proposals, it does not cost them and it is time it was honest with the public. It should tell the people where it will save this...

Public Finances: Motion (3 Mar 2009)

Michael Kennedy: It has not done so and if it believes in honesty and integrity, its Members should have a frank and open debate in which they tell the public——

Public Finances: Motion (3 Mar 2009)

Michael Kennedy: I will come to them. The Government has the ideas. Although Fine Gael has tabled a motion today——

Public Finances: Motion (3 Mar 2009)

Michael Kennedy: —— it contained neither a single specific proposal nor a costing. Today, the Taoiseach clearly told the House that the Government would be introducing further measures by the end of this month. When that time comes, Fine Gael should, for once this session, deal realistically with the issues, rather than waffling on.

Public Finances: Motion (3 Mar 2009)

Michael Kennedy: The Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, has informed Opposition Members they have been invited to see the full financial figures tomorrow. Their spokespersons already have had a briefing on the banking issue. However, having received all the facts and figures, the Opposition chose not alone to ignore them but to vote against it.

Public Finances: Motion (3 Mar 2009)

Michael Kennedy: In a situation in which the country needs a proper banking system——

Public Finances: Motion (3 Mar 2009)

Michael Kennedy: —— the Government brought forward realistic programmes in respect of guaranteeing deposits and re-capitalising the banks.

Public Finances: Motion (3 Mar 2009)

Michael Kennedy: Fine Gael tries to assert it is acting in the national interest when it would allow our banks to sink.

Public Finances: Motion (3 Mar 2009)

Michael Kennedy: As Members are aware, our banks are no different to those anywhere else.

Public Finances: Motion (3 Mar 2009)

Michael Kennedy: Only last week in the United States, having previously put US$850 billion into the banking system, the US Government, under President Obama, was obliged to put another $40 billion into Citibank.

Public Finances: Motion (3 Mar 2009)

Michael Kennedy: Members are familiar with developments in Britain regarding Royal Bank Of Scotland and know what is happening in Germany, whose banks are securing reinvestment almost every day of the week.

Public Finances: Motion (3 Mar 2009)

Michael Kennedy: My point is——

Public Finances: Motion (3 Mar 2009)

Michael Kennedy: ——that we need banks to operate in a normal commercial fashion. We cannot allow them to sink, as Fine Gael and the Labour Party seem to be suggesting. In terms of the Government's plan, the Taoiseach reiterated today that the five-year plan is to reduce debt from 9.5% to 3% of GDP. The proposals to make savings of €3 billion, together with the €2 billion set out last week, represent...

Public Finances: Motion (3 Mar 2009)

Michael Kennedy: Let us have an honest debate. The Government is willing to put forward its proposals.

Public Finances: Motion (3 Mar 2009)

Michael Kennedy: The Deputy should listen to what he is told.

Public Finances: Motion (3 Mar 2009)

Michael Kennedy: I reiterate that the Government's plan is to reduce debt from 9.5% to 3% of GDP in the course of the next five years. We have already undertaken to make savings of €5 billion this year. I expect that figure will increase in light of proposals to be brought forward by the Government at the end of the month. What has the Opposition to offer? What proposals has it brought forward setting...

Public Finances: Motion (3 Mar 2009)

Michael Kennedy: Where are the detailed proposals on income taxation? We want a frank debate. The public expects all political parties to set out their proposals. The days of waffling on without offering any solutions are over.

Public Finances: Motion (3 Mar 2009)

Michael Kennedy: The Opposition has waffled in recent weeks. Now it is time for it to bring forward solutions. We must make clear to the public the alternatives that exist. We will tell the people clearly what, in our view, must be done.