Results 3,521-3,540 of 36,116 for speaker:Pearse Doherty

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Consultancy Contracts (8 Nov 2012)

Pearse Doherty: To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 225 of 19 September 2012, if he will provide a detailed breakdown, with itemised costs, of the services obtained from Goodbody Stockbrokers for the €333,413 paid by his Department to the company in 2011 and 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48975/12]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Universal Health Insurance (8 Nov 2012)

Pearse Doherty: To ask the Minister for Health in view of the fact that the Programme for Government promised the White Paper on Financing Universal Health Insurance early in his first term and that his Department's recent briefing for the Oireachtas Health and Children Committee stated that it will be published as early as possible within his term of office, if he will provide a report on progress on same...

Tax Transparency Bill 2012: Second Stage [Private Members] (9 Nov 2012)

Pearse Doherty: Sinn Féin will support the Bill. We have long been advocates of more open and transparent government. We brought forward legislation to bring that about but, unfortunately, the Government parties voted it down. We firmly believe the people have a right to know how the decisions that affect their lives are reached. We also believe they have a right to know how their money is spent,...

Tax Transparency Bill 2012: Second Stage [Private Members] (9 Nov 2012)

Pearse Doherty: This is the context of the Bill.

Tax Transparency Bill 2012: Second Stage [Private Members] (9 Nov 2012)

Pearse Doherty: This relates to the decisions the Government makes-----

Tax Transparency Bill 2012: Second Stage [Private Members] (9 Nov 2012)

Pearse Doherty: -----and open transparency.

Tax Transparency Bill 2012: Second Stage [Private Members] (9 Nov 2012)

Pearse Doherty: I know exactly, a Cheann Comhairle, and that is what I am addressing. The spirit of the Bill, which we support, is about providing information to taxpayers about how Government decisions are made. It is about promoting a debate, as Deputy Murphy mentioned, about the options of Government and Opposition parties. The people who elected me to speak in this Parliament uninterrupted are...

Tax Transparency Bill 2012: Second Stage [Private Members] (9 Nov 2012)

Pearse Doherty: With due respect, the Ceann Comhairle has made his point and I would like to reply.

Tax Transparency Bill 2012: Second Stage [Private Members] (9 Nov 2012)

Pearse Doherty: I have listened to what the Ceann Comhairle said.

Tax Transparency Bill 2012: Second Stage [Private Members] (9 Nov 2012)

Pearse Doherty: This is a Bill that will inform taxpayers about Government decisions.

Tax Transparency Bill 2012: Second Stage [Private Members] (9 Nov 2012)

Pearse Doherty: Deputy Murphy has given an outline of the information that would be presented. None of that includes the billions that went into Anglo Irish Bank or the pensions to former politicians and bankers. That is relevant to the legislation. The Ceann Comhairle might be uncomfortable with that but these are the priorities.

Tax Transparency Bill 2012: Second Stage [Private Members] (9 Nov 2012)

Pearse Doherty: I ask the Chair, therefore, to let me deal with the parameters of the Bill on Second Stage.

Tax Transparency Bill 2012: Second Stage [Private Members] (9 Nov 2012)

Pearse Doherty: My contribution is relevant to a Bill about transparency and the impact of decisions. While we welcome the spirit of the Bill, this should be done as a matter of course. There should be an online calculator on the website. It is strange this issue is before us but I welcome the Bill and will support it. There is, however, a cost to the Exchequer to implement this and it would be folly...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion with Civic Society Representatives (9 Nov 2012)

Pearse Doherty: I have a number of questions for the witnesses. I commend them and the organisations they represent on their advocacy on behalf of particular groups. The witnesses will be more aware than I of the need for advocacy at this point in the midst of the recession when fiscal austerity is all the greater. I commend them on their work in the past and on presenting alternatives to this committee,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion with Civic Society Representatives (9 Nov 2012)

Pearse Doherty: It was said that Government programmes must support the unemployed. Sinn Féin has advocated this and due to our position in government in the North, we have been implementing it. We have introduced social clauses on major construction contracts, most notably the €1 billion contract for the A5. Contractors are obliged to employ long-term unemployed and apprentices on those...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion with Civic Society Representatives (9 Nov 2012)

Pearse Doherty: On the National Women's Council, and I will be brief on this-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion with Civic Society Representatives (9 Nov 2012)

Pearse Doherty: Again, I welcome the submission. Gender proofing was an issue that was raised and I will talk about the North again on this.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion with Civic Society Representatives (9 Nov 2012)

Pearse Doherty: It is good to have examples. In the North there is a process extending from the Good Friday Agreement, although it comes from the old system of one-party or one-community rule up there. It is section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 and it obliges Departments to proof their budgets for equality issues. It does not happen in all Departments but it does happen where Sinn Féin has a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion with Civic Society Representatives (9 Nov 2012)

Pearse Doherty: What about the third rate of tax?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion with Civic Society Representatives (9 Nov 2012)

Pearse Doherty: There is a proposal from the community platform. We agree with much of what is in here but I will focus in particular on the wealth tax. As the witnesses may know, I will publish on behalf of Sinn Féin a comprehensive piece of legislation looking to reintroduce a wealth tax in the State. We have considered different models and proposals, and we are very conscious of the proposal from...