Results 6,261-6,280 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Defamation Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (8 Jul 2009)

Pat Rabbitte: I support Deputy Ó Snodaigh's amendment No. 9 and want briefly to speak to my amendment No. 10. The Minister referred earlier to one of the novelties in this legislation being the facility to make an apology without liability. I agree that is important and is an overdue reform of legislation that is not generally controversial. The Minister described circumstances in which a gap could...

Defamation Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (8 Jul 2009)

Pat Rabbitte: Unfortunately, it is unlikely that we will get to section 39. I know of the case which the Deputy has raised, and it is a terrible experience for any family to have endured. Unfortunately, it is virtually impossible to libel the dead and, as a result, this family finds itself in these appalling circumstances. The media outlets in question are not prepared to offer an apology. I agree with...

Defamation Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (8 Jul 2009)

Pat Rabbitte: I appreciate that.

Defamation Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (8 Jul 2009)

Pat Rabbitte: While I am prepared to consent, I wish to make a point.

Defamation Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (8 Jul 2009)

Pat Rabbitte: It is agreed. Three hours have been allocated tomorrow morning to debate a Bill that proposes to cut the pay of former Ministers. I am not aware of opposition in the House to this Bill and do not understand the reason three hours are required. However, Members badly need more time on this Bill and I suggest the Minister should talk to the Chief Whip about permitting this debate to continue...

Written Answers — Economic Outlook: Economic Outlook (8 Jul 2009)

Pat Rabbitte: Question 38: To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the most recent quarterly national accounts of the Central Statistics Office which showed a decline of 8.5% of GDP, and a decline of 12% of GNP, in the first three months of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27985/09]

Written Answers — Unemployment Levels: Unemployment Levels (8 Jul 2009)

Pat Rabbitte: Question 58: To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the June 2009 live register figures and the latest quarterly national household survey; if he will provide revised estimates in respect of unemployment figures for year end 2009 end 2010; the way these trends and estimates are expected to impact on the general Government balance for both 2009 and 2010; the way these trends and...

Order of Business (9 Jul 2009)

Pat Rabbitte: It is absolutely essential.

Order of Business (9 Jul 2009)

Pat Rabbitte: That is not what -----

Order of Business (9 Jul 2009)

Pat Rabbitte: We have only reached section 5 of the Bill on Committee Stage. Two or three aspects of the legislation are extremely controversial. An expectation has been built up that some 300 gangsters and thugs will be locked up by the weekend if the Bill is passed. As Deputy Charlie Flanagan stated, that will not be the case. Committee Stage of the Bill is being taken in the House. If the Tánaiste...

Order of Business (9 Jul 2009)

Pat Rabbitte: I beg Deputy Morgan's pardon. I also am aware that a delegation of lawyers met a Cabinet Minister yesterday who assured them that he takes a similar view, namely, that it should be a case of festina lente in this regard and that the House should have time to tease through the more difficult aspects of the Bill.

Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 Jul 2009)

Pat Rabbitte: The import of this group of amendments is that notwithstanding that the evidence in question is only as to the existence of a gang, the view is that it would be more appropriate that this would be a garda of more senior rank. This has been the practice up to now and also because of the fact that a more senior garda, not below the rank as suggested in the amendments, would be likely to have...

Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 Jul 2009)

Pat Rabbitte: The Minister is asking us to take a lot on faith. It puts us in a difficult position because, given that the Minister is minded to push through the legislation before the recess, nobody wants to a see a section of the Bill undermined in terms of its efficiency on commencement. The concept described by the Minister is very unusual. We have just passed over the issue of adding "or former...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (9 Jul 2009)

Pat Rabbitte: Question 26: To ask the Minister for Transport the amount of money allocated to road maintenance and improvement projects here in 2007, 2008 and 2009; if funding for capital spending on road building and maintenance projects including up to 80 projects that are currently being planned has been halted; the road building or maintenance projects which have been halted as a result of these new...

Order of Business (10 Jul 2009)

Pat Rabbitte: As the House knows, the Bill is born out of the "something must be done" school of law-making. We have reached section 7 in the debate and it is unconscionable that the Minister would want to push through the entire legislation by 1.30 p.m. today. It has at least three very controversial dimensions. Even from the point of view of wanting to make secure whatever ultimately comes through...

Order of Business (10 Jul 2009)

Pat Rabbitte: Do you want to come outside, Dermot?

Order of Business (10 Jul 2009)

Pat Rabbitte: Lean, mean and broke.

Order of Business (10 Jul 2009)

Pat Rabbitte: Will the Tánaiste to confirm, however many Cabinet meetings there are scheduled, that after the Cabinet meeting next week, where it will consider the report from an bord snip nua, that the Government will publish it? Otherwise, bits of it will be leaked during the holidays as the beaches of Kerry beckon. It will become like an edition of Lady Chatterley's Lover as it is passed around among...

Order of Business (10 Jul 2009)

Pat Rabbitte: -----version launched after the Cabinet meeting? What does the Tánaiste say?

Order of Business (10 Jul 2009)

Pat Rabbitte: After the Cabinet meeting.