Results 601-620 of 21,514 for speaker:Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Order of Business. (9 Mar 2005)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: The Taoiseach stated he was seeking to do this in "an ordered way", but his only interest is control.

Order of Business. (9 Mar 2005)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Regarding the most recent IRA statement on the murder of Robert McCartney, I want to register my disappointment on two counts. I am disappointed that a physical attack on those responsible was even contemplated. I am further disappointed that the IRA statement, which is a very detailed account of what occurred and a positive contribution to achieving the truth, has been, in the main, wilfully...

Finance Bill 2005: Report Stage. (9 Mar 2005)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: On Committee Stage, the Minister rejected my suggestion that the practice of the Revenue Commissioners, which involves vigorously pursuing taxpayers who are suspected of making under-payments while quietly ignoring those who have apparent and suspected over-payments, is a one-way street. He defended the steps taken by the Revenue Commissioners to inform the public of its taxation...

Finance Bill 2005: Report Stage (Resumed). (9 Mar 2005)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I support amendment No. 3, in the name of Deputy Burton, and amendment No. 10, in the name of Deputy Paul McGrath.

Finance Bill 2005: Report Stage (Resumed). (9 Mar 2005)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: There is a credible argument for the premise that the adjustment of band limits and credits should be index-linked. The inflationary effect on the take-home pay of ordinary families and workers was not adequately taken into account in the past when budgetary changes were made in times of high inflation. I appreciate that inflation rates are low at present, but there is a need to protect the...

Finance Bill 2005: Report Stage (Resumed). (9 Mar 2005)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: The Government's tax cuts between 1997 and 2002 saw only 5% of budget tax cut benefits going to the bottom 20% of earners. That is a fact. We are living with the legacy of the failure on the part of the Minister's predecessor to address properly the needs of the low paid and the least well-off in our society. All that the Minister can hope to do with what he has presented in his first budget...

Finance Bill 2005: Report Stage (Resumed). (9 Mar 2005)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I am not arguing against it, I was asking only that the Minister factor it in because it is all having an effect.

Finance Bill 2005: Report Stage (Resumed). (9 Mar 2005)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: It is an effective point. Things have changed.

Finance Bill 2005: Report Stage (Resumed). (9 Mar 2005)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Of course.

Finance Bill 2005: Report Stage (Resumed). (9 Mar 2005)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: They are doing an excellent job, as the Minister is well aware.

Finance Bill 2005: Report Stage (Resumed). (9 Mar 2005)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I support amendment No. 11 in Deputy McGrath's name. The largest weakness in the budget was the failure to address the issue of child care and children's needs. This went across the board in the Government's failure to reach its own targets in child benefit. Several agencies at the coalface have demonstrated these targets are essential in meeting the costs of providing for children. I expect...

Finance Bill 2005: Report Stage (Resumed). (9 Mar 2005)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I support the amendment and will also speak to amendment No. 15. Deputy Burton has made the points about isolation very well. I recognise the picture she has painted. However, but for the new private nursing home facilities completed in recent years in my constituency, we would have a serious crisis in the provision of nursing home places in Cavan and Monaghan. That is a fact of life. This...

Finance Bill 2005: Report Stage (Resumed). (9 Mar 2005)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Can the Minister indicate when he expects the review process to be concluded?

Finance Bill 2005: Report Stage (Resumed). (9 Mar 2005)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Will it be completed by the end of the year?

Finance Bill 2005: Report Stage (Resumed). (9 Mar 2005)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I will take on board what the Minister has said about the inclusion of the system of tax relief for nursing home fees in the overall review. The Minister has taken on board the concerns I expressed about the criteria which might apply for the relief entitlements. We would like the criteria to be clearly focused on health, welfare and justice. As I have said, investment needs to be balanced to...

Special Educational Needs. (9 Mar 2005)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to raise the need for the Minister for Health and Children to take urgent action to address the crisis in the provision of services for children with special needs, as highlighted by the Health Service Executive, north-eastern area, in recent days. I also address my remarks to the Minister for Education and Science, who shares responsibility in...

Requests to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31. (10 Mar 2005)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to discuss an important matter of public interest that requires urgent consideration, namely, the critical failure of the State to ensure the provision of an adequate child care infrastructure, the resultant exclusion of a large proportion of women from the workforce and the report of the forum on the workplace of the future, which...

Order of Business. (10 Mar 2005)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: No. Although it is possible that the House will have completed its consideration of the amendments proposed to the Finance Bill by 1.30 p.m., the proposal to impose a guillotine is abhorrent to the Opposition, not only in respect of this Bill but in all instances. The debate on the Bill should be allowed to take its normal course. It is likely that we will have time to conclude our...

Order of Business. (10 Mar 2005)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Will the Tánaiste advise the House on whether she will circulate a detailed summary of the content of the missing file so that we will all be privy to exactly the same information as we commence what I would call a very inadequate opportunity for debate this afternoon? I note the time provision. Given that the Taoiseach only indicated the taking of statements yesterday, I welcome the...

Order of Business. (10 Mar 2005)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: The Minister is awake. He is welcome to the House. I believed he was only here in body.