Results 4,601-4,620 of 21,440 for speaker:Mary Lou McDonald

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Property Tax: Discussion with Revenue (29 May 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: I appreciate that-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Property Tax: Discussion with Revenue (29 May 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: Ms Feehily has clearly set out the chronology for PAYE workers, occupational pensions and social welfare recipients. That will be the run of it. I am simply asking if that is the same running order she envisages in respect of notification, engagement and perhaps, although I hope it does not come to it, imposition of levies or fines?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Property Tax: Discussion with Revenue (29 May 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: Unless they persist in not engaging with Revenue.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Property Tax: Discussion with Revenue (29 May 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: Revenue will take it if they do not pay it. Is that the bottom line?

Leaders' Questions (30 May 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: As the Tánaiste noted, the images shown on the "Prime Time" exposé were unacceptable and people across the board have expressed deep shock. The reality, however, is that we have been here before. This is not the first occasion on which maltreatment in crèche facilities has come to light. Six or seven years ago serious issues were identified and since 2008 problems with under...

Leaders' Questions (30 May 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: Yesterday, the Taoiseach said that the brand image of child care was of the highest standard. I am not sure what he meant by "brand image" but he is part of the same Government that is advertising on its JobBridge website positions for child care workers in organisations, including an advertisement from Giraffe child care, one of the brands associated with this scandal, seeking interns with...

Leaders' Questions (30 May 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: This is not a matter of a political football but one of accountability, good governance and setting the minds of parents at ease. Rather than listening to the same old story, parents must hear a genuine and urgent commitment to ensure quality of care for children. My question on JobBridge was not framed in the past tense. I am asking the Tánaiste about positions that are being...

Leaders' Questions (30 May 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: JobBridge positions should not be approved for any child care facility.

Leaders' Questions (30 May 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: In that case, children in other child care facilities can have yellow pack care.

Order of Business (30 May 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: I agree, particularly regarding the EU-Israel aviation agreement. We should not be party to such an agreement, as it rewards Israel despite that country's continual flouting of international law and its ongoing blockade of Gaza. In 2001, the Israelis destroyed Yasser Arafat International Airport in Gaza. Run by the Palestinian Authority, it was opened in 1998, then bombed by the Israeli...

Order of Business (30 May 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: No, it should be debated in the Chamber.

Order of Business (30 May 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: It should be discussed in the Chamber.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Comhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas (30 May 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: 13. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht céard iad na himpleachtaí a mheasann sé a bheidh ann mar thoradh ar an múnla nua maoinithe atá curtha os comhair na Comhairle Aireachta Thuaidh/Theas do líon agus do chaighdeán na seirbhísí do phobal na Gaeilge agus do chúrsaí fostaíochta d’fhostaithe sna heagrais...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform: Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (5 Jun 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: On the section itself, I wish to return to the issue of committees making findings of fact. When we initially looked at these matters and considered the Abbeylara judgment, that was one of the key concerns. Obviously, the failure of the referendum meant that additional powers required by the Oireachtas are not available. In that context, I ask the Minister to give some reassurance to the...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform: Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (5 Jun 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: When we come to section 7, will the Minister clarify whether there is scope to make findings of fact in cases in which the facts are contested? I know I am straying.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform: Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (5 Jun 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: I have the same issue with section 7.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform: Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (5 Jun 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: Section 9 provides a power of inquiry relating to the conduct of a Member of either House of the Oireachtas. I recall the public commentary and angst at the time of the referendum. There was a sense that committees could become Star Chambers or a facility for a witch hunt against a Member of either House. The scenario around the judgment in the case of Ivor Callely was very fresh in...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform: Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (5 Jun 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: I thank the Minister for that information. He helpfully used the term "bias", and there is a concern in that regard. We have talked about the potential for bias in respect of, for example, any potential banking inquiry concerning what Members may have said publicly and on the record. Equally, there is a concern around a kind of institutional bias or naked party political bias entering into...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform: Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (5 Jun 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: I am sure the Minister can understand the additional complication that enters into the whole area of bias when it is politicians who are inquiring into a fellow politician, irrespective of whether they are of the same party-political persuasion. I accept there are provisions in the legislation with regard to bias, which strike me as fairly robust. However, there is a particular concern...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform: Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (5 Jun 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: There is merit in Deputy Donnelly's amendments. He pointed out that in other jurisdictions one does not need the 50%-plus-one rule within the process. Whether it is 25% or one third, the point is that, as currently structured, for an inquiry to be completed a majority vote must be achieved. I assume the concern that has triggered these amendments is that one could have matters entirely...