Results 4,361-4,380 of 21,128 for speaker:James Reilly

Order of Business (16 Dec 2010)

James Reilly: Another proposal with which I want to disagree is that dealing with the Appropriation Bill. This is an area which tidies up the budget for the year.

Order of Business (16 Dec 2010)

James Reilly: I will speak now and get it out of the way. The Tánaiste is also the Minister for Education and Skills, yet we are told €300 million remains unspent in her allocation to build schools. People in north Dublin and all around the country have been waiting for new schools. We do not have an opportunity to discuss this matter under the Appropriation Bill which we should be able to do.

Order of Business (16 Dec 2010)

James Reilly: That is just one example of the Appropriation Bill-----

Order of Business (16 Dec 2010)

James Reilly: There is no discussion or debate. I do not want to be at variance with the Ceann Comhairle but he said this matter would be more appropriate for another debate. We are not having a debate on the Appropriation Bill and that is why we are objecting to the proposal.

Order of Business (16 Dec 2010)

James Reilly: It is not agreed. I have outlined why we are opposed to this proposal. We are not getting any chance to debate it. This country needs a great deal of money to run its services. I mentioned earlier that money provided for schools, to give just one instance, has not been spent. It is not right that the parliament of a country that is in such dire financial straits should rush through...

Order of Business (16 Dec 2010)

James Reilly: If we do not examine what we did in 2010, and if we do not have an opportunity to debate and understand it, how in the name of God can we plan for 2011 in any real sense? This is why the country is in the state it is in.

Order of Business (16 Dec 2010)

James Reilly: It is not agreed.

Order of Business (16 Dec 2010)

James Reilly: It will be a brief observation. The Green Party is keen to ensure particular legislation is dealt with before it leaves Government. The party has stated its clear intention to call an election in late January, in respect of which we on this side of the House wish to facilitate it. I believe the country needs a new Government and the sooner this happens, the sooner this country can start...

Order of Business (16 Dec 2010)

James Reilly: We recently learned of bonuses to be paid to bankers and of cuts to carers' allowances. The sooner the better this Government, which has lost its moral compass, leaves this House and goes to the country and allows the people to elect a new Government with a mandate to represent them here and in Europe.

Order of Business (16 Dec 2010)

James Reilly: Everyone in the country who is fortunate to have a job will be working next week. I see no reason this House cannot continue its work next week and resume early in the new year.

Order of Business (16 Dec 2010)

James Reilly: I join the Tánaiste in her comments to you, a Cheann Comhairle. I thank the ushers, the staff in the restaurant and staff throughout Leinster House. I also thank those who have retired this year, especially the head usher, Mr. Shay Byrne. I thank members of the media and wish them a happy Christmas and all the political staff, particularly the Fine Gael Party staff. I thank and wish all...

Order of Business (16 Dec 2010)

James Reilly: I would like to raise an issue that was before the House in respect of public appointments to State boards. We read in the newspapers today that 291 appointments are due to be made to State boards before the end of February. Some 93 are to be made by the Minister for Health and Children, 33 by the Minister for Enterprise Trade and Innovation, and 31 by the Tánaiste.

Order of Business (16 Dec 2010)

James Reilly: Some 35 appointments have been made since the Green Party announcement on 22 November that it was leaving the Government and 20 of these have been made by that party, which is over 60%. Is this the Green Party's idea of a job strategy? Deputy Varadkar put forward a Bill in the past which was not accepted by this House but which I believe should come before the House again. I wonder where it...

Order of Business (16 Dec 2010)

James Reilly: We are passing legislation on climate change and other issues, yet there is an indemnity Bill in the hands of the Government, which I put forward and which was agreed by the Minister for Health and Children, that would protect patients against rogue doctors who would practice in this country without insurance. It is a simple Bill. It confers protection on patients. There are only a few...

Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Second Stage (16 Dec 2010)

James Reilly: Fine Gael is happy to support this legislation as it is in line with our public health policy and our drive to rationalise State agencies and organisations while removing as much administration as possible. It is important the message goes out that the battle against tobacco addiction is far from over and remains a huge challenge to our health, education and wider social system. The Minister...

Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2010)

James Reilly: I do not oppose the section but I want to comment on a number of issues related to it. The fine for smuggling cigarettes into Ireland is €423, which is laughable given the profits involved and the fact that our neighbours fine people £5,000. I hope the Minister of State will make an order to change that. I understand it does not require primary legislation. I hope the Minister of State...

Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2010)

James Reilly: I asked about the availability of therapies anywhere there is a sales outlet.

Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2010)

James Reilly: I thank the Minister of State.

Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2010)

James Reilly: I support the Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2010. I also support the Minister of State in her important work. I hope the media takes the opportunity to report on this debate, in which the dangers of smoking, particularly to young people, were highlighted and the role of parents in this regard was emphasised. I congratulate the Minister of State on the passage of this legislation.

Leaders' Questions (12 Jan 2011)

James Reilly: Correct "honourably": it is all the other actions the Government took.