Results 1,141-1,160 of 27,019 for speaker:Michael Noonan

Budget Statement 2011 (7 Dec 2010)

Michael Noonan: Did some third child beat up the Minister coming home from school when he was a young fellow? What is the conspiracy against third children?

Budget Statement 2011 (7 Dec 2010)

Michael Noonan: I have no vested interest as I am a fourth child.

Budget Statement 2011 (7 Dec 2010)

Michael Noonan: Some of the changes in stamp duty are welcome as somebody has to act to get the property market going again. NAMA has destroyed the property market as it has taken everything out but put nothing back. Before leaving office the Minister should call people from NAMA into his office and tell them to put €2 billion or €3billion of property on the market at fire-sale prices. These may be...

Budget Statement 2011 (7 Dec 2010)

Michael Noonan: A tranche of assets should be sold, even if they must be sold cheaply, to get the process started again. The 1% universal levy on all property, with 2% on properties worth more than €1 million, is onerous enough. It means nothing now because there is no market but it will be a heavy enough charge when the market picks up. I suggest that in the course of the finance Bill the Minister...

Budget Statement 2011 (7 Dec 2010)

Michael Noonan: Overall, the budget is incoherent, soft on the rich and hard on the poor. The times ahead will be hard. The Government has sought to tie the hands of its successors with a series of very specific commitments over the next four years. If the Fine Gael Party is part of the incoming Government, we will stick to the targets set down but will renegotiate the specific measures envisaged for the...

Budget Statement 2011 (7 Dec 2010)

Michael Noonan: There is a flaw in Ireland's approach to Europe, one which arises from the hubris of the Celtic tiger years. Since we joined the European Union the Department of Foreign Affairs has taken the lead role in our relationship with the EU and individual member states. When Garret FitzGerald, whom I see in the Distinguished Visitors Gallery, was Minister for Foreign Affairs and Taoiseach, it was...

Budget Statement 2011 (7 Dec 2010)

Michael Noonan: Despite everything that has happened, I do not believe our country is ruined beyond repair. If it were not for the banks, our problems would be manageable. With the recently announced initiatives to downsize the banks, we can come through this. The foundation stone of everything is certainty. The Fine Gael Party is committed to reducing the deficit to 3% of GDP by 2014 and to a total...

Budget Statement 2011 (7 Dec 2010)

Michael Noonan: At times of crisis we tend to turn to the heroes of the past for inspiration - to Collins and Griffith, de Valera and Lemass. I know Members on all sides of the House do that and therefore I shall finish by reference to a quotation attributed to Michael Collins which we might all ponder. Collins said, "Give us the future. We have had enough of the past. Give us back our country to live...

Written Answers — Debt Card Charges: Debt Card Charges (7 Dec 2010)

Michael Noonan: Question 59: To ask the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to concerns by retailers regarding the proposed increased fee for the use of debit cards which are to be introduced from next year (details supplied); if this arrangement has been sanctioned by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45943/10]

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (7 Dec 2010)

Michael Noonan: Question 290: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will make arrangements to allow the Coonagh licensed fishermen at Coonagh, Limerick to fish for small quantities of salmon; if he will make arrangements with the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board to allow these fishermen participate in the scientific study which identifies the origin of salmon through DNA...

Financial Resolution No. 34: General (Resumed) (8 Dec 2010)

Michael Noonan: They are watching the Taoiseach.

Social Welfare Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2010)

Michael Noonan: I often admire Deputy Gogarty's sentiments because his heart is in the right place, but it is not possible to move an amendment which would reduce the rate prescribed in the Bill. Any amendment would be ruled out of order because it would involve a charge on the Exchequer

Social Welfare Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2010)

Michael Noonan: I would like to say something that will give Deputy Gogarty the opportunity to vote against the whole Bill if he wants to put the principles he has just enunciated into effect. In his Budget Statement, the Minister for Finance said his objective was "That those who have most, will pay most". Most people in the House agreed with that, including the Minister, but he has dismally failed to...

Social Welfare Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2010)

Michael Noonan: If the Deputy wants an explanation, it is 3% of €600,000, which is the excess over €200,000. Other examples can be calculated through the very simple sum of 3% of the excess above €200,000. The person in that category on €300,000 will be €3,000 better off. The person on €500,000 will be €9,000 better off and the top of the scale tribunal lawyer on €1 million will be...

Social Welfare Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2010)

Michael Noonan: Could the Government have done this deliberately or is it only able to spend money and does not know how to make adjustments? Any Government that claims it is going to protect the poor and hit the wealthy while creating the budgetary hole I have just described should resign immediately. It is a strange sort of social justice to bring forward a budget like that. I do not know whether the...

Social Welfare Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Dec 2010)

Michael Noonan: I assure the Deputy there will be amendments to the finance Bill. He talks a great game about the poor and making the wealthy pay most. He now has an opportunity to vote against the Social Welfare Bill 2010 on those grounds.

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2010: Second Stage (9 Dec 2010)

Michael Noonan: I move amendment No. 2: To delete all words after "That" and substitute the following: "Dáil Éireann declines to give a second reading to the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2010 having regard to the proposal to cut the national minimum wage by €1 to €7.65.". There are three main issues in the Bill as the Minister outlined, first the proposed levies on...

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2010: Second Stage (9 Dec 2010)

Michael Noonan: The Minister might explain that more fully later.

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2010: Second Stage (9 Dec 2010)

Michael Noonan: I am a bit slow on legal issues. The second issue in the Bill is the proposed reduction in the salaries of the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and other officeholders. Fine Gael agrees with the intent of the proposal but reserves the right to further reduce the salaries if we are in office. We believe the proposals in the budget will reduce the income of so many people, including the poorest in...

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2010: Second Stage (9 Dec 2010)

Michael Noonan: I know. The Minister has taken away the 4% completely and by increasing the PRSI by 1% they still have an advantage of 3%. The calculation is simple. They are paying more up to €200,000 or maybe slightly above, but for every €1 after that they have a 3% advantage. So a tribunal lawyer on €1 million per annum will be €24,000 better off next year. While there are not many people on...