Results 1,001-1,020 of 3,476 for speaker:Charlie O'Connor

Financial Resolution No. 6: General (Resumed) (7 Dec 2006)

Charlie O'Connor: The Taoiseach's speech this morning impressed me greatly. Deputy Ned O'Keeffe summed the budget up very well as it is all give and no take. As we are 200 days away from the general election, the Opposition Members are getting panicky, as they should. However, not being political, if one takes this budget objectively there is much for many. If the Evening Herald, not a great supporter of...

Financial Resolution No. 6: General (Resumed) (7 Dec 2006)

Charlie O'Connor: Tallaght has the population of a city but the status of a village. In 1984 I was involved in the Get Tallaght Working initiative. It was a drive to get the major facilities, such as The Square and the hospital, required by a major town. While a lot has been done, there is more to do. I am glad there has been progress in job creation. The budget gives opportunities and assistance to those...

Financial Resolution No. 6: General (Resumed) (7 Dec 2006)

Charlie O'Connor: The record proves what we have done. Deputy Durkan blushed with embarrassment when the rainbow coalition gave miserly sums to the elderly.

Financial Resolution No. 6: General (Resumed) (7 Dec 2006)

Charlie O'Connor: Thank God those days are gone.

Financial Resolution No. 6: General (Resumed) (7 Dec 2006)

Charlie O'Connor: It is unbelievable to hear Opposition Members claim the Government's promises were not achieved yesterday. They were and we will not take lectures about what we are doing for the elderly.

Financial Resolution No. 6: General (Resumed) (7 Dec 2006)

Charlie O'Connor: We are proud of our senior citizens. Fianna Fáil in Government will continue to look after the elderly. The people will make up their own minds and will see what the Government has achieved is good for them. Whatever the Opposition believes about the people, I believe people will make up their own minds and see yesterday as a positive step. I congratulate the Minister for Finance on the...

Written Answers — Public Order Offences: Public Order Offences (7 Dec 2006)

Charlie O'Connor: Question 83: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will make a statement on the policies in place to tackle public order offences; and the number of public order offences since 2000 committed in Dublin and throughout the country. [42175/06]

Public Transport: Motion. (12 Dec 2006)

Charlie O'Connor: I thank the Minister of State for allowing me to share his time. I was going to make a national speech, but as the Minister of State has mentioned Tallaght several times, I should be allowed to mention Tallaght a few times. Before Deputy Shortall heckles me, I compliment her on her initiative in this area. It is good that she has given us an opportunity to air our different views. I am...

Public Transport: Motion. (12 Dec 2006)

Charlie O'Connor: The buses are there, but there are other issues.

Public Transport: Motion. (12 Dec 2006)

Charlie O'Connor: Thank you, Chairman. I hope you will protect me.

Public Transport: Motion. (12 Dec 2006)

Charlie O'Connor: I will look at you in order not to attract any attention. Dublin Bus should not be putting the blame on Luas. Dublin Bus management has never stated that the company has not enough buses, but it is using the success of Luas as an excuse for not developing services in parts of my constituency. As someone who does not have a marketing degree, I say that it does not take quantum physics to...

Social Welfare Bill 2006: Second Stage (12 Dec 2006)

Charlie O'Connor: I am sharing time with Deputy Johnny Brady, with the agreement of the House.

Social Welfare Bill 2006: Second Stage (12 Dec 2006)

Charlie O'Connor: In an earlier contribution I said that with so many of my colleagues, including Ministers, mentioning Tallaght, my job was done. I am always happy, when I have the opportunity to speak, that such prominent members of the Opposition turn up to support me. First, I want to refer to the Minister. We are all entitled to our politics across the floor, but I believe we all agree this Minister is...

Social Welfare Bill 2006: Second Stage (12 Dec 2006)

Charlie O'Connor: I am not just saying this because it is Christmas, but I have often applauded the efforts of Deputy Penrose, who is Chairman of the Joint Committee on Social and Family Affairs. The Minister will know that he gives members of that committee the opportunity to voice their concerns. At a parliamentary party meeting last week, I said that not only is the Minister listening to Fianna Fáil...

Social Welfare Bill 2006: Second Stage (12 Dec 2006)

Charlie O'Connor: Colleagues are entitled to their politics and I have no problem with that, except to say that I have been listening to all the speeches, including the recent contributions tonight. While Members make their political points, they are being honest enough to say that this has been a good, caring budget and that the job is being done. My colleague, Deputy Ned O'Keeffe, said the other day that...

Social Welfare Bill 2006: Second Stage (12 Dec 2006)

Charlie O'Connor: I shall have to await the Official Report to find out what the Deputy is saying since I am trying to get through my few minutes and let my colleague, Deputy Johnny Brady, make his contribution. The Minister must realise there are difficulties among families as regards energy and fuel. I am glad he has been able to do something in that regard and that he has been progressive. I hope he will...

Social Welfare Bill 2006: Second Stage (12 Dec 2006)

Charlie O'Connor: However, if one listens carefully, people are appreciative of what the Minister is trying to achieve. This particular Minister listens carefully to the points made by all Members. People talk to Members, who come to the House from their constituencies in Cork, the midlands, Kildare, Meath, or Tallaght to represent their cases. All Members do so skilfully. On such a night, it is a pity the...

Social Welfare Bill 2006: Second Stage (12 Dec 2006)

Charlie O'Connor: I know it is late.

Social Welfare Bill 2006: Second Stage (12 Dec 2006)

Charlie O'Connor: The Minister understands this is an important debate.

Social Welfare Bill 2006: Second Stage (12 Dec 2006)

Charlie O'Connor: Finally, in the spirit of Christmas, all Members appreciate the work done by the Minister's Department and officials. I have heard many colleagues state, as do I, that the Department of Social and Family Affairs is by far the best Department for dealing with queries.