Results 1,001-1,020 of 2,674 for speaker:John Moloney
- Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (22 Apr 2009)
John Moloney: I am not pedalling anything. I am making the clear point-----
- Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (22 Apr 2009)
John Moloney: I do not mind what description the Deputy uses. It is not true anyway.
- Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (22 Apr 2009)
John Moloney: Regardless of whether we are accused of misleading or pedalling something, the reality is that the difficulty for the Minister was a choice of cutting rates across the board or dealing with the issue through a temporary measure-----
- Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (22 Apr 2009)
John Moloney: -----which will be given recognition when matters improve.
- Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (22 Apr 2009)
John Moloney: Rather than talk about mean-spiritedness, it is important to recognise what has been achieved over the years. In the good times, people accepted the need to ensure we could support people in need of social welfare. There is also the context of the overall reduction in expenditure of â¬153 million in a total budget of â¬21.3 billion. People who wish to be fair-minded about this recognise...
- Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (22 Apr 2009)
John Moloney: No, it was not to hit the vulnerable. Unfortunately, in a recession many people are vulnerable, even those who have not lost their jobs.
- Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (22 Apr 2009)
John Moloney: It is a matter of recognising the needs. Every Deputy who conducts a clinic will hear people, not just in the clinic but on the street, discuss the issue of how many Ministers over the years have not dealt with the areas where savings can be effected. I presume that the savings effected through the clampdown on social welfare fraud and a stronger inspectorate will go towards removing the...
- Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (22 Apr 2009)
John Moloney: For years Members of the House have talked about the huge waste in the social welfare system. The Minister is to be commended for recognising that it is not just a matter of cutting and saving but also a matter of ensuring the budget of the Department is properly managed and used. I believe this was a brave attempt on the part of the Minister to recognise the choices before her. I do not...
- Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (22 Apr 2009)
John Moloney: -----there should be a sense of reality. There is a recession facing this country the like of which we have not seen in 40 or 50 years. The sad reality is that the response to it requires tough measures, coupled with tough decisions. It should be recalled that last October this House welcomed an across-the-board increase of 3.5% in social welfare payments. Why would a political party or...
- Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (22 Apr 2009)
John Moloney: -----this Government has supported and generated is unfortunately no longer available, so the cut was made.
- Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (22 Apr 2009)
John Moloney: No. I am saying that across all the Departments expenditure choices were made.
- Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (22 Apr 2009)
John Moloney: No, I would not say easy options.
- Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (22 Apr 2009)
John Moloney: In my opinion, many people in receipt of social welfare benefit, be it supplementary welfare, disability benefit and so forth, would also recognise that the maintenance of their benefits is of the utmost importance to continue their way of living. The fact that the Minister did not even consider a cut across the rates in itself demonstrates that the least possible pain has been inflicted in...
- Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (22 Apr 2009)
John Moloney: I have been at people's doors-----
- Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (22 Apr 2009)
John Moloney: I have been at quite a lot of doors. I have also been able to explain to people-----
- Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (22 Apr 2009)
John Moloney: I often find that the electorate is far more willing to listen than the Opposition. Clearly, when I have time I explain to the electorate the consistent increases in benefits over the years. I recall a time when one could only dream of the old age pension passing £100 per week. That level arrived and was passed. People accepted that. I take particular delight in explaining to people the...
- Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (22 Apr 2009)
John Moloney: -----regardless of what happens in the recession, there has been no cut across the board. I feel people accept that in the spirit in which it is given and they are happy that the payments are protected. It is worth making the point-----
- Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (22 Apr 2009)
John Moloney: That is most regrettable as I had so many other good things to say.
- Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (22 Apr 2009)
John Moloney: I do not use the website but I will put the remainder of my contribution on the website for Members to read what has been achieved over the years.
- Commemorative Events. (28 Apr 2009)
John Moloney: AontaÃm leat.