Results 8,321-8,340 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley

Nomination of Members of the Government: Motion (Resumed) (23 Mar 2010)

John Gormley: On behalf of the people we are working to get out of recession. We are now in a space where we can implement-----

Nomination of Members of the Government: Motion (Resumed) (23 Mar 2010)

John Gormley: -----very effectively the innovative renewed programme for Government which places its emphasis on unemployment and dealing with that problem. I agree with the previous speakers that this is the biggest question we face. It is a crisis, particularly for young people. I know them personally and have spoken to them. Many of us in this House experienced at first hand unemployment during the...

Nomination of Members of the Government: Motion (Resumed) (23 Mar 2010)

John Gormley: The way to deal with this is by facing up to reality and taking the hard decisions.

Nomination of Members of the Government: Motion (Resumed) (23 Mar 2010)

John Gormley: It will be shown that this was a Government that took the hardest decisions in the history of this State.

Nomination of Members of the Government: Motion (Resumed) (23 Mar 2010)

John Gormley: We had to take those tough decisions because in the first place we had to deal with the public finances and the banking crisis. If one looks objectively at what has been achieved one will see that a great deal of work has been done to make this country a fairer place. First, we dealt with the tax system and restructured it. We also had to ensure we got to the tax exiles which is something...

Nomination of Members of the Government: Motion (Resumed) (23 Mar 2010)

John Gormley: We also restructured local government.

Nomination of Members of the Government: Motion (Resumed) (23 Mar 2010)

John Gormley: That is the way forward. We also continue the crucial investment in capital projects.

Nomination of Members of the Government: Motion (Resumed) (23 Mar 2010)

John Gormley: The continued and increased investment in flood protection and water infrastructure is something of which my party is very proud. Again, I thank our colleagues in Government for working closely with us on those issues. I congratulate the incoming Ministers but first I wish to say a few words about those Ministers who have resigned. I wish the former Minister and Deputy, Martin Cullen, well....

Nomination of Members of the Government: Motion (Resumed) (23 Mar 2010)

John Gormley: The two incoming Ministers will do tremendous work.

Nomination of Members of the Government: Motion (Resumed) (23 Mar 2010)

John Gormley: I know from working with Deputy Carey on Dublin City Council that he takes a very balanced approach to all issues. That was evident in his work as Chief Whip. I wish to pay tribute to my colleague, Deputy Trevor Sargent. It has been a very difficult time for him and the manner of his parting showed-----

Nomination of Members of the Government: Motion (Resumed) (23 Mar 2010)

John Gormley: Deputy Varadkar has been particularly ungracious because usually when a colleague departs the scene in this House there is a moment during which we pay tribute to him or her but that was not evident with the Deputy. I noticed his comments on the radio.

Nomination of Members of the Government: Motion (Resumed) (23 Mar 2010)

John Gormley: It is wrong of the Deputy to behave in that way. When a person departs in that fashion one should take a moment out from adversarial politics and simply pay tribute.

Nomination of Members of the Government: Motion (Resumed) (23 Mar 2010)

John Gormley: One thing Deputy Sargent did was to work tirelessly for Ireland's food sector for more than two and a half years. He worked to develop horticulture in his own constituency of Dublin North, the sector's powerhouse, and across the country. He worked on developing the farmers' markets which increased in numbers on his watch by an impressive 25%. Deputy Sargent framed an action plan to deliver...

Nomination of Members of the Government: Motion (Resumed) (23 Mar 2010)

John Gormley: Creating jobs will bring us out of recession. That is what this is about. That is what this Government is about, namely, concentrating on creating jobs.

Nomination of Members of the Government: Motion (Resumed) (23 Mar 2010)

John Gormley: It is not about empty rhetoric nor about having it every single way. It is easy to do that in Opposition but it is hard in Government. Perhaps the Members will get the opportunity but-----

Nomination of Members of the Government: Motion (Resumed) (23 Mar 2010)

John Gormley: I hope they will have the guts to take hard decisions but I do not see that happening.

Nomination of Members of the Government: Motion (Resumed) (23 Mar 2010)

John Gormley: I also wish to pay tribute to my two colleagues who are now privileged to enjoy junior ministerial status. My deputy leader, Deputy Mary White, from Carlow, will bring her own fresh perspective to her job as someone from rural Ireland who understands the concerns of that constituency. Deputy Ciarán Cuffe, with whom I served on Dublin City Council for a long time, is a qualified architect...

Nomination of Members of the Government: Motion (Resumed) (23 Mar 2010)

John Gormley: I am happy to say this Government is talking loud and clear on the issues that matter to people in this country. Deputy Cuffe will bring to his new task the passion and commitment I have seen in him for so long. As Deputies are aware, he has dual citizenship.

Nomination of Members of the Government: Motion (Resumed) (23 Mar 2010)

John Gormley: Politics is in his blood. He is related to a very famous political family in the United States.

Nomination of Members of the Government: Motion (Resumed) (23 Mar 2010)

John Gormley: I understand he has.