Results 5,881-5,900 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Finance Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 May 2009)

Joan Burton: It is regrettable that, although the Government has talked a lot about pension reform, it remains the case that pension products in Ireland cost considerably more than those in comparable jurisdictions. We have some of the highest service costs associated with pension products and many people have lost money recently because much of their pensions are invested in equities. At the moment...

Finance Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 May 2009)

Joan Burton: Yes. The taxpayer pays for the tax breaks, but much of that is recovered by the various investment intermediaries because our costs are higher. From the point of view of cost-benefit analysis, selling pensions is a valuable service, but we need to keep the costs down. I will not go into the subject of the Financial Regulator, but our regulatory system has not been up to scratch in this regard.

Order of Business (28 May 2009)

Joan Burton: No. 12d relates to the Ryan report and the Labour Party supports this motion, as do all Members of the House. It is just a preliminary step and the Dáil will have a two-day debate when many of the issues can be explored fully. In the context of the motion, I ask the Minister specifically about reports that the Ryan commission is strongly leaning towards the destruction of all the...

Order of Business (28 May 2009)

Joan Burton: Will the Government clarify by the time of the debate whether-----

Order of Business (28 May 2009)

Joan Burton: -----people who were criminalised will be fully exonerated?

Order of Business (28 May 2009)

Joan Burton: The matter of the records is one of national importance.

Order of Business (28 May 2009)

Joan Burton: The destruction of the Ryan commission records-----

Order of Business (28 May 2009)

Joan Burton: -----is an issue of national importance. It would cause unbelievable stress to the people who gave evidence.

Order of Business (28 May 2009)

Joan Burton: No. While it has been traditional for the Dáil to adjourn for a period when elections are being held, given the state of the economy people are shocked at the notion of such a break. There is no way the Labour Party will support the Government's proposal that the Dáil having resumed on Tuesday week will then adjourn on 2 July sine die for the rest of the summer.

Order of Business (28 May 2009)

Joan Burton: We are laying down a marker that this is not acceptable to the Labour Party.

Order of Business (28 May 2009)

Joan Burton: In the context of the all-party motion to which Members have committed themselves regarding the Ryan report and supporting the full implementation of the report's recommendations, I refer to the case of Melissa Mahon, the 14-year old girl and the man who was convicted yesterday of her unlawful killing. Will the Minister for Health and Children provide for an independent investigation because...

Order of Business (28 May 2009)

Joan Burton: In the week of the Ryan report's publication, Members must be aware that abuse and the harrowing events related in that case equally require investigation. She was under the care-----

Order of Business (28 May 2009)

Joan Burton: -----of the HSE.

Order of Business (28 May 2009)

Joan Burton: Can the Minister disclose whether she will hold an independent investigation?

Third Level Funding. (28 May 2009)

Joan Burton: Question 10: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the funding for research commissions that have been mediated through the Higher Education Authority to Irish third level institutions. [21832/09]

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (28 May 2009)

Joan Burton: Question 12: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs when it is proposed to establish a governance unit as proposed in the White Paper and in Irish Aid's operational plan. [21833/09]

Order of Business (9 Jun 2009)

Joan Burton: What is the position regarding the proposed NAMA legislation? We were promised that we would have the heads of the Bill before the House rises for the summer. If the Dáil sits for an extra week from 2 July, does the Taoiseach propose to have the Bill brought before the House in that time? We were also promised urgent legislation to deal with a new system of banking regulation. Will we...

Written Answers — State Banking Sector: State Banking Sector (9 Jun 2009)

Joan Burton: Question 97: To ask the Minister for Finance his views on recent media reports that he, as sole shareholder, and his Department had agreed at the recent annual general meeting of Anglo Irish Bank to change the institution's articles of association; if he will confirm the veracity of the report; if the directors of Anglo Irish Bank have been indemnified as reported; if he will provide a...

Written Answers — State Banking Sector: State Banking Sector (9 Jun 2009)

Joan Burton: Question 98: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will outline with reference to his statement to press reporters on 25 May 2009 that he is providing working capital to Anglo Irish Bank, what he means by reference to working capital; the nature and extent of the provision provided under that heading; the difference between Anglo Irish Bank's current need for working capital and any possible...

Written Answers — State Banking Sector: State Banking Sector (9 Jun 2009)

Joan Burton: Question 104: To ask the Minister for Finance if persons (details supplied) have in the past received special or preferential loans from Anglo Irish Bank; if any family members of other directors of Anglo Irish Bank have in the past received preferential loans from Anglo Irish Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22231/09]