Results 3,561-3,580 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Official Engagements. (17 Oct 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: First, I note that at the EU summit there is to be a dinner discussion with President Putin about EU relations with Russia. Does the Taoiseach intend to raise freedom of speech and human rights in Russia following the murder of the journalist Anna Politkovskaya? She is the 20th journalist critical of the regime — in her case regarding events in Chechnya — to have been murdered in...

Leaders' Questions (17 Oct 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: I do not know whether this is a normal parliamentary exchange with our colleagues from Scotland or whether they want to examine our proposed electronic voting system.

Leaders' Questions (17 Oct 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: This system cost us €52 million. We could not use it because it was not reliable and it costs us almost €1 million a year to store it in various centres around the country. I will ask the Taoiseach about remarks made at the weekend by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Roche, reported in a newspaper as follows: "Roche plans to press ahead with...

Leaders' Questions (17 Oct 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: What about the report from Sweden?

Leaders' Questions (17 Oct 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: If the machines are as good as the Taoiseach says, why are we not using them in the election? Is that not the net point? What is the point in telling us that the software does not work?

Leaders' Questions (17 Oct 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: It is like saying the chassis of a car is in perfect condition but the engine does not work.

Leaders' Questions (17 Oct 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: I had forgotten the former Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Cullen. Let us hear what he said.

Leaders' Questions (17 Oct 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: This is a direct quote from Deputy Cullen: "The system Ireland has used successively and will use next year is the most secure electronic system that exists in the world".

Leaders' Questions (17 Oct 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: Deputy Cullen continued "At all stages all aspects of electronic voting have been tested and re-tested by independent——

Leaders' Questions (17 Oct 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: ——experts. My Department has engaged six independent consultancies [I believe that bit as well] to verify electronic voting. Labour has engaged two branch secretaries."

Leaders' Questions (17 Oct 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: That is what the Minister said. The point was that the truth of the report commissioned from two branch secretaries by the Labour Party has been borne out in all respects. Although this Minister was warned by among others, independent experts outside the House, he, like his predecessor, the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Noel Dempsey, insisted on ploughing...

Leaders' Questions (17 Oct 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: The current Minister, Deputy Roche, completes the line-up of The Three Stooges. Has this Cabinet sub-committee reported? If not why is Deputy Roche speaking on television and issuing press releases to the effect it has been decided to use this system but not in the general election? Is the implication that it is alright to use it in the European election but not in a general election? The...

Leaders' Questions (17 Oct 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: I supported a system that would work.

Order of Business (17 Oct 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: Last week, without precedent, the business of the House collapsed for a third time in the course of this term. It diminished the Dáil's standing and relevance, and I am not sure that everyone abroad understands that the Government rather than the Opposition sets the business. We have not yet received an explanation from the Government of why the Bill listed was pulled, which was most...

Order of Business (17 Oct 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: What a sad life.

Written Answers — Animal Health Issues: Animal Health Issues (17 Oct 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: Question 139: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food when exempt list for prescription only veterinary medicines will be in place; the person who is advising her on which medicines should be so exempted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32889/06]

Leaders' Questions (18 Oct 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: I wish also to raise an issue affecting older people but not only older people. I refer to the unconscionably high increases in ESB and gas prices. Gas prices have increased by 33.8% from 1 October, in a country where, according to the report by Deloitte & Touche on regulation of the electricity sector, almost one in five Irish people is defined as fuel-poor. The Taoiseach can imagine the...

Leaders' Questions (18 Oct 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: This €5 increase was announced last year in the budget. Unfortunate older people in fear for their health, living in poor, damp circumstances with inadequate heating and fearful of how they can survive a difficult winter receive a statement to the effect that their fuel allowance has been increased by €5. Is the Taoiseach happy with a situation whereby outrageous, disproportionate price...

Leaders' Questions (18 Oct 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: I suppose I am responsible for this too.

Leaders' Questions (18 Oct 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: The Taoiseach frequently says things that are not in accordance with fact. It is part of his style. To say the €5 increase in fuel allowance was not announced in the last budget——