Results 5,841-5,860 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Order of Business (26 May 2009)

Joan Burton: In addition, can we have an up-to-date, final reckoning of how much the religious orders have paid out of the €128 million, how it was spent, and what properties have been handed over? Will an audit be carried out of the rest of their assets? It seems many of them have been transferred into trusts.

Order of Business (26 May 2009)

Joan Burton: I asked about the audit of the assets of the various religious bodies and whether they have been transferred into trusts. We understand many of them have been transferred in this way so they may not be available.

Order of Business (26 May 2009)

Joan Burton: Many of the people involved, of whom I know many, feel they were criminalised by virtue of the way in which the records are maintained.

Order of Business (26 May 2009)

Joan Burton: It seems we are to have a blasphemy law in this country, which nobody wants, before we deal with this issue. This is very important to the people who lived through this episode and are still alive, and their children.

Order of Business (26 May 2009)

Joan Burton: I urge the Taoiseach to consider this. They were criminalised.

Appointment of Ombudsman and Information Commissioner: Motions (26 May 2009)

Joan Burton: I welcome the Minister's decision to reappoint Ms Emily O'Reilly as Ombudsman and Information Commissioner. I also thank the Taoiseach for his courtesy in contacting and consulting Deputy Eamon Gilmore, leader of the Labour Party, in respect of the appointment. Ms O'Reilly has performed her functions as Ombudsman well and has been well served by a diligent and dedicated staff. The Ombudsman...

Written Answers — Traffic Management: Traffic Management (26 May 2009)

Joan Burton: Question 65: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has responded to the concerns of the residents and business people in Dublin city centre on the proposed busgate for College Green, Dublin which may have an impact on commercial life in Dublin City, if not properly managed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21271/09]

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (26 May 2009)

Joan Burton: Question 93: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on the introduction of a moratorium on the issuing of taxi plates in view of the escalating crisis in the taxi industry and the need for regulatory reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21272/09]

Finance Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (27 May 2009)

Joan Burton: I move amendment No. 2: In page 5, between lines 11 and 12, to insert the following:

Finance Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (27 May 2009)

Joan Burton: I thank the Minister for his reply. A role for an independent ombudsman for taxpayers has been developed in a large number of other jurisdictions, including the United States. I have seen such offices in operation in other countries and was impressed. Primarily, such an office is to instil in taxpayers a sense of confidence that the taxation system is fair and that actions by the taxation...

Finance Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (27 May 2009)

Joan Burton: I am pressing it.

Finance Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (27 May 2009)

Joan Burton: I move amendment No. 3: In page 5, between lines 11 and 12, to insert the following:

Finance Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (27 May 2009)

Joan Burton: Remarks were attributed to the Minister where he stated that in other countries there would be protests and demonstrations. I spoke to a young family man last night off the Navan Road. He has two children and he just found out this week that his take-home pay has fallen by €350 a month. He asked me if the Government is serious about a property tax of €1,000. He has a modest three or...

Finance Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (27 May 2009)

Joan Burton: I wonder at times where they were. Were they out doing the organic garden? Maybe the Cabinet has an organic garden and they were out looking after the cauliflowers.

Finance Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (27 May 2009)

Joan Burton: Maybe they were doing that. The credibility of politics in Ireland has suffered greatly. Everybody knows sacrifices are required but that young family man on the doorstep is reeling from the €350 he has lost this month and wants to know - and it is a reasonable question - what is the story on such taxes. The Minister has said he will either tax, means test or reduce child benefit. That...

Finance Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (27 May 2009)

Joan Burton: It is not just about rescuing Fianna Fáil but the country. We need this information to see how we can put together a coherent, fair and just approach to taxation. We still have the people jetting in and out, who are privileged to have made great wealth and have probably created much employment in this country. Everybody says they are great people and good luck to their success. However...

Finance Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (27 May 2009)

Joan Burton: I want to thank the Minister for his reply about being open to the notion of the papers being published. There is a degree of fiction there, however, as regards how independent the commission is from him. The commission, of course, once established is independent, but if he moved his little finger in this or that direction, it would immediately say, in effect, "how high or how far do you...

Finance Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (27 May 2009)

Joan Burton: Were he to suggest that papers were to be published and options discussed, I believe they would find a way of getting over their shock, coming to terms with it and doing it. That is my guess, from what I know. For the record, in a reply which the Minister gave me on 12 May, just a few weeks ago, he said: "It is important to note that the tax rate is just one factor used in calculating the...

Finance Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (27 May 2009)

Joan Burton: When articles appear in a variety of publications and locations, all of which identify a €1,000 house tax-----

Finance Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (27 May 2009)

Joan Burton: -----they all came up with a suggested and magical figure of €1,000 in respect of a property tax. The Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland and various other institutions also used that figure in their commentaries. Perhaps secret meetings are taking place, funny handshakes are being exchanged and indications are given as to the likely shape policy will take. In any...