Results 4,981-5,000 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Order of Business (20 Nov 2007)

Pat Rabbitte: There has been much brouhaha about a series of programmes on the issues of drug abuse and drugs misuse and I would not give much credence to it nor would I give much credence to the book on which they were based. However, today's Irish Examiner contains an insightful, comprehensive and thoughtful analysis of the drugs problem in Ireland. Having regard to the legislative schedule, which is...

Tribunals of Inquiry Bill 2005: Order for Second Stage. (20 Nov 2007)

Pat Rabbitte: I presume I am in order to oppose the taking of Second Stage.

Tribunals of Inquiry Bill 2005: Order for Second Stage. (20 Nov 2007)

Pat Rabbitte: With respect, Sir——

Tribunals of Inquiry Bill 2005: Order for Second Stage. (20 Nov 2007)

Pat Rabbitte: That is right, Sir.

Tribunals of Inquiry Bill 2005: Order for Second Stage. (20 Nov 2007)

Pat Rabbitte: That is right. Thank you, Sir.

Tribunals of Inquiry Bill 2005: Order for Second Stage. (20 Nov 2007)

Pat Rabbitte: I oppose the taking of Second Stage at this time. The reason the Labour Party does not consider it appropriate to take the Bill at this time has been well dealt with on previous occasions. It is not that we take issue with the substantive Bill. There is a need to update and modernise the law on public inquiries. We are in favour of doing that, but we believe it is inappropriate to...

Tribunals of Inquiry Bill 2005: Order for Second Stage. (20 Nov 2007)

Pat Rabbitte: The law does not deal with intention, as the Minister is aware.

Tribunals of Inquiry Bill 2005: Second Stage. (20 Nov 2007)

Pat Rabbitte: Deputy Flanagan spoke at some length about the growing public perception that the introduction of this Bill at this time is designed to empower the Government to shut down the planning tribunal. I mention the planning tribunal because the other tribunals, Morris and Moriarty being the main among them, are in their concluding stages. The target, therefore, is the planning tribunal. That...

Tribunals of Inquiry Bill 2005: Second Stage. (20 Nov 2007)

Pat Rabbitte: I made no comment on the matter whatsoever. I was elsewhere. Section 10 of the Bill permits the dissolution of a tribunal for stated reasons. Section 42(3) states plainly this power of dissolution applies to existing tribunals. If this Bill is being introduced now because the Government has no legislation ready, why seek to misrepresent its contents? It is remarkable at present that if...

Tribunals of Inquiry Bill 2005: Second Stage. (20 Nov 2007)

Pat Rabbitte: If that is the case, the Government Chief Whip needs his head examined to determine the reason he permitted the legislation to be brought before the House three weeks before the Taoiseach's reappearance at Dublin Castle.

Tribunals of Inquiry Bill 2005: Second Stage. (20 Nov 2007)

Pat Rabbitte: Either the Government has the sinister motive others are ascribing to it or it is simply hamfisted and can no longer conduct the business of the House competently. If the Minister wants to agree to excise the provisions which make the powers of dissolution applicable to existing tribunals, the Labour Party will support the broad principles of the Bill. It is accepted by all sides that it...

Written Answers — Investment Policy: Investment Policy (20 Nov 2007)

Pat Rabbitte: Question 91: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the ethical investment guidelines being adopted in respect of investments and investment vehicles such as the National Pension Reserve Fund under the remit of his Department; if such investments are made in accordance with United Nations Guidelines on Ethical Investments; if the Government has advised the NPR Fund in respect of...

Written Answers — Banking Sector Regulation: Banking Sector Regulation (20 Nov 2007)

Pat Rabbitte: Question 116: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the guarantees the State offers to depositors with banks and financial institutions; if he has plans to review the level of protection available in view of the recent crisis (details supplied). [29588/07]

Written Answers — Hospitals Building Programme: Hospitals Building Programme (20 Nov 2007)

Pat Rabbitte: Question 272: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if the proposed relocation of the Central Mental Hospital to the site will require planning permission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27374/07]

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (21 Nov 2007)

Pat Rabbitte: Question 126: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views regarding the provision of teeth whitening services in beauty salons which do not have a dentist on the premises; if this is against the law; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29990/07]

Written Answers — State Property: State Property (21 Nov 2007)

Pat Rabbitte: Question 139: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the circumstances in which an estate (details supplied) in County Cork which became State property on 1 September 1972 on the dissolution of its registered owner was sold to a person on 6 October 1986 for the sum of £160 and was then sold by that person on the 22 December of the same year to another person for £20,000; if he has...

Written Answers — Residency Applications: Residency Applications (21 Nov 2007)

Pat Rabbitte: Question 312: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the general principles and detailed rules permitting restrictions on the right of entry and right of residence of EU citizens on the grounds of public policy, public security or public health, permit him to refuse such a citizen entry into the State having regard to their criminal record or if they permit of any other...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (22 Nov 2007)

Pat Rabbitte: Question 13: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will introduce an incentive for new entrants to the animal welfare, recording and breeding scheme for suckler herds in view of the fact that the age profile of farmers in this sector is poor; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30100/07]

Human Rights Issues. (27 Nov 2007)

Pat Rabbitte: Question 64: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the difficulties being placed in the way of the opposition in Zimbabwe to organise, the deteriorating economic situation affecting the ordinary people and the apparent unwillingness of neighbouring countries to express adequate concern at the breaches in human rights occurring in that country. [30880/07]

Written Answers — Nuclear Disarmament Initiative: Nuclear Disarmament Initiative (27 Nov 2007)

Pat Rabbitte: Question 92: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the decisions reached at the most recent foreign affairs meeting of the European Union he attended with regard to the most recent assessment by the IAEA of Iran's enrichment of plutonium programme. [30879/07]