Results 9,141-9,160 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Macro-Economic and Fiscal Outlook: Statements (27 Oct 2010)

Joan Burton: The point is that our difficulties are not unique. If one decides to follow the deficit hawks and kill the economy, one will not gain kudos from the bond markets. What they really want is a twin-track approach. Whatever option is chosen has immense risks. As the Taoiseach is fond of saying, we are where we are. It is where he and the Minister have brought us. The Minister does not like...

Macro-Economic and Fiscal Outlook: Statements (27 Oct 2010)

Joan Burton: Ministers insist that public spending cuts are vital to protect confidence in the country until our debts can be repaid. The other issue is that the negative impact of these cuts will be compensated for by a surge in private sector activity. How can that happen if business remains so deep in the doldrums? There is a simple equation being considered, particularly in right-wing circles, to...

Macro-Economic and Fiscal Outlook: Statements (27 Oct 2010)

Joan Burton: I am sure it did not escape the Minister's notice that the individuals to whom I refer are earning handsome salaries and are doing a very good job spinning matters on his behalf. The tax code requires a major overhaul in order to yield the additional revenue that will be needed to meet our debts and for investment. For over a decade, the tax code has been infected by the poison of the type...

Macro-Economic and Fiscal Outlook: Statements (27 Oct 2010)

Joan Burton: Why is it the case that when I - I am sure the other Opposition spokespersons did the same - inquired about-----

Macro-Economic and Fiscal Outlook: Statements (27 Oct 2010)

Joan Burton: -----the Croke Park agreement, no figures could be provided? Why did the officials not state that they are driving the process relating to the agreement?

Macro-Economic and Fiscal Outlook: Statements (27 Oct 2010)

Joan Burton: The Minister and his absent colleagues are the leaders of the various Departments.

Macro-Economic and Fiscal Outlook: Statements (27 Oct 2010)

Joan Burton: When we met the officials, we were informed that there are no real plans. Ministers are meant to lead their Departments. They are supposed to inspire civil servants and encourage them to develop ideas. I am quite convinced that there are many ideas and a high level of capacity among civil servants. However, the staff of the Minister's Department have been allowed to become utterly...

Macro-Economic and Fiscal Outlook: Statements (27 Oct 2010)

Joan Burton: It states "Far better would be a state development bank along the lines of Germany's KfW." The Minister is averse to new ideas and changes because he is addicted to whatever happened in the salad days of having money to throw at everything. That may have been new centres in Punchestown or the Bertie Bowl. Those days are gone but we need realistic and fresh hope to turn this economy around....

Written Answers — Departmental Contracts: Departmental Contracts (27 Oct 2010)

Joan Burton: Question 170: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the details of any contractual commitments her Department has to a company (details supplied) in respect of services rendered; to set out a schedule of any payments made to this company, including the exact date of these payments and their amount in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009,and to date in 2010; if her attention has been...

Written Answers — Public Procurement Policy: Public Procurement Policy (27 Oct 2010)

Joan Burton: Question 193: To ask the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties that may be caused for the small and medium enterprise sector as a result of the appointment by the national procurement service of a single supplier of office products; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that this could cause significant lay-offs in the indigenous SME sector;...

Written Answers — Banking Sector: Banking Sector (27 Oct 2010)

Joan Burton: Question 224: To ask the Minister for Finance the amount of senior and subordinated bonds outstanding in Anglo Irish Bank as at 29 September 2008; the amount of senior and subordinated bonds outstanding in Anglo Irish Bank as at 30 September 2008 which were covered by the Government guarantee; the amount of senior and subordinated bonds in Anglo Irish Bank which matured between 30 September...

Macroeconomic and Fiscal Outlook: Statements (Resumed) (28 Oct 2010)

Joan Burton: The Guardian praised the proposal yesterday.

Macroeconomic and Fiscal Outlook: Statements (Resumed) (28 Oct 2010)

Joan Burton: The lead article in The Guardian yesterday praised the proposal.

Macroeconomic and Fiscal Outlook: Statements (Resumed) (28 Oct 2010)

Joan Burton: And the Government is putting us into the stabilisation fund.

Macroeconomic and Fiscal Outlook: Statements (Resumed) (28 Oct 2010)

Joan Burton: The Government has brought the International Monetary Fund to the door and ruined the country. Bond spreads are at 7% this morning.

Macroeconomic and Fiscal Outlook: Statements (Resumed) (28 Oct 2010)

Joan Burton: The Minister clearly cannot do tax arithmetic. That is the reason he is so incompetent.

Macroeconomic and Fiscal Outlook: Statements (Resumed) (28 Oct 2010)

Joan Burton: The Minister is innumerate.

Macroeconomic and Fiscal Outlook: Statements (Resumed) (28 Oct 2010)

Joan Burton: What about a smart Government?

Macroeconomic and Fiscal Outlook: Statements (Resumed) (28 Oct 2010)

Joan Burton: I proposed the abolition of tax breaks for Fianna Fáil Party cronies.

Macroeconomic and Fiscal Outlook: Statements (Resumed) (28 Oct 2010)

Joan Burton: My record on property tax breaks is clear. The record of the Minister's party in the matter of corruption is also clear.