Results 9,601-9,620 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (25 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: As Chairperson-in-Office of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) for 2012, I bear overall responsibility for the executive action of the Organisation and the co-ordination of its activities. In carrying out this role, I will offer my full support to the OSCE's extensive network of institutions and field operations working for regional stability throughout the Western...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (25 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Work to identify priorities and emerging issues in policy areas that are likely to be of importance during Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2013 has been ongoing for some time. While it is too early to identify the specific issues as Ireland's main Presidency priorities, enlargement is likely to be a significant item for Ireland's and the European Union's foreign...

Leaders' Questions (26 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I thank Deputy Ó Cuív for welcoming the publication yesterday of the personal insolvency Bill. It is a pity he took some of the good out of the welcome by making some begrudging comments in respect of it. It is fair to say that the biggest worry in the period of this recession for individuals and families, even bigger than the loss of the job or the loss of the business, is the fear of...

Leaders' Questions (26 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The Government is always open to taking on board constructive suggestions from any Member on legislation. That is why we have decided that the heads of the Bill will go immediately to the joint committee. We do not intend that to be a prolonged period and we are looking at having that process completed by the end of February and then moving ahead with the formal publication of the...

Leaders' Questions (26 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: -----and people have been facing all kinds of difficulties in respect of jobs, the economy and their personal situation. For the first time since the country went into recession, individual families and households can look to a legislative basis through which they can get debt resolution and to a new legislative basis for personal insolvency which combined will give them some hope of getting...

Leaders' Questions (26 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: It is a pity that Deputy McDonald does not have the good grace, as Deputy Ó Cuív did, at least to acknowledge that the Government is dealing with a real issue that families are concerned about which is the problem of mortgage debt. Previously, she claimed the Government was doing nothing about the mortgage problem and on the day that we are doing just that, she does not have the good grace...

Leaders' Questions (26 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The committee which debated the Bill finished three hours early.

Leaders' Questions (26 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Three extra hours were available during which all these detailed issues could have been raised.

Leaders' Questions (26 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: This issue-----

Leaders' Questions (26 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: This issue dates back to 2009 and was not dealt with by the previous Government. Now, there is a 3 February deadline within which the Water Services (Amendment) Bill must be enacted. The country is facing possible fines, including a lump sum penalty of €2.7 million and a daily fine of more than €26,000 if the legislation is not enacted and a way to deal with septic tanks is not found.

Leaders' Questions (26 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The Government is proposing a reasonable measure, a once-off registration charge of €50. There will also be an inspection regime that will be reasonable. We have an example of how the inspection regime has operated in County Cavan where it operates in a reasonable way. The legislation is not being rushed. Plenty of time has been provided to debate it. It must be enacted by 3 March.

Leaders' Questions (26 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Let us discuss the issue of fairness. Certainly, it is not fair that taxpayers are facing a daily fine after 3 February because of the failure of a previous Government to deal with issue since 2009. It must be and is being dealt with. The Deputy is confusing what is included in primary legislation and the detailed regulations to be made subsequently in secondary legislation. The inspection...

Leaders' Questions (26 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: They are using the legislation to whip up fears for political advantage.

Leaders' Questions (26 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: As everyone knows, the legislation must be put in place by 3 February.

Leaders' Questions (26 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The charge is reasonable and the inspection regime that will apply-----

Leaders' Questions (26 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: -----under the Environmental Protection Agency will also be reasonable.

Leaders' Questions (26 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: In the meantime, I urge Deputies not to whip up fears among people who have nothing to fear from the legislation.

Leaders' Questions (26 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Deputy Higgins has a great penchant for hyperbole.

Leaders' Questions (26 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I have to say he has excelled his most outrageous excesses this morning by describing in such lurid terms a Government document that has not yet been published.

Leaders' Questions (26 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: He might at least have waited until he had read it.