Results 541-560 of 21,404 for speaker:Mary Lou McDonald

Programme for Government (20 Sep 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: -----I wager I will never require help from your good self. In respect of the programme for Government, who pulls the string? The Taoiseach comes into the Chamber day after day and tells us about the constraints of the EU and IMF or decisions made by the previous Administration. It seems to be the Taoiseach's catch-all cover on every issue. Why not have a revised programme for Government?...

Programme for Government (20 Sep 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: Did you?

Programme for Government (20 Sep 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: I thought the Chair was not going to return to me.

Programme for Government (20 Sep 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: The Taoiseach could have added to his list-----

Programme for Government (20 Sep 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: I will move to use the interrogative case - the Taoiseach could have outlined that his comprehensive spending review is like a sword of Damocles hanging over the population headed up by the cutback Minister, Deputy Howlin.

Programme for Government (20 Sep 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: The Taoiseach could also concede, as others have suggested, that his strategy is failing in respect of people who are on the dole but he said he will not produce a revised programme for Government. I presume from that we will just have to put it together line by line, chapter by chapter, as he comes in here, fails the people------

Programme for Government (20 Sep 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: -----and then points across the Chamber at Fianna Fáil.

Programme for Government (20 Sep 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: When will the Taoiseach give us concrete information on his plans for the commercial semi-States?

Programme for Government (20 Sep 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: The Taoiseach has a long list of questions to deal with.

Order of Business (20 Sep 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: It is not agreed. The implications of this proposed constitutional amendment are very serious. Very serious concerns have been raised in the course of debate inside and outside this House in respect of natural justice, due process and so on. The Minister is aware of those concerns and we have put down an amendment in respect of that. I am concerned that this matter is being rushed. I...

Order of Business (20 Sep 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: The Comptroller and Auditor General's 2010 report on the public service requires that time be set aside for a debate in the House. Clearly, the contents are serious. The report outlines the effects of the vicious austerity policy pursued by Fianna Fáil and the consequent unemployment, fall in tax revenue and so on. I am sure the Taoiseach is aware of its contents. I ask that time be set...

Order of Business (20 Sep 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: The difficulty is that the Committee of Public Accounts is one year behind. Tomorrow it will examine the accounts for 2009. This is more current and requires debate.

An Bille um an Tríochadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Fiosruithe Thithe an Oireachtais) 2011: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha / Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Sep 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: We are entirely supportive of the Government's effort to ensure the Oireachtas can conduct investigations and inquiries in a timely and productive fashion. There is no question that the Abbeylara judgment had to be addressed and I believe the Government is doing the right thing in seeking to address it. None the less, I share many of Deputy Catherine Murphy's concerns that there would be...

An Bille um an Tríochadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Fiosruithe Thithe an Oireachtais) 2011: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha / Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Sep 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: I do not.

Written Answers — Cash for Gold Trade: Cash for Gold Trade (20 Sep 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: Question 69: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update on the progress and a timeline for the report of the group within his Department that are looking into the cash for gold industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24738/11]

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (20 Sep 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: Question 97: To ask the Taoiseach the money saved if all State agency board member payments in his Department were reduced by €10,000 when their current annual payment is in excess of €50,000. [22743/11]

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (20 Sep 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: Question 197: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason he did not rescind the recent special severance gratuity payment agreed by the Top Level Appointments Committee to the former Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach, in view of the fact that this payment, which is clearly defined in section 7 of the Superannuation and Pensions Act 1963 as being as a...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (20 Sep 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: Question 198: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason the former Secretary General to the Department of the Taoiseach was facilitated by him to retire with a full pension at 57 years with no actuarial reduction despite section 6 of the Superannuation and Pensions Act 1963 stating that a notional period shall be added to the established service of a civil servant if...

Leaders' Questions (21 Sep 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: On 10 May the Taoiseach introduced his jobs initiative, stressing that it was not a budget. In May there were 440,000 people on the live register. By the end of August that figure had risen to almost 500,000, or 14.4%. It is now clear that this jobs initiative has failed, the policy of squandering the National Pensions Reserve Fund on the banks rather than using it as a stimulus has been...

Leaders' Questions (21 Sep 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: I find it astonishing that the Taoiseach would even suggest that the hundreds of thousands of people out of work do not wish to find employment. Given that he raised the issue of hourly payments, he might also reflect on the fact that no one sitting in this Chamber is on €9.50 per hour. If he takes a look around him-----