Results 11,861-11,880 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: It is important to reiterate what the Taoiseach said here yesterday, which is that the proposals that have emerged from the discussions thus far were considered by the Government this week. The Taoiseach indicated to the unions that, in their current form, they did not provide a basis for the Government to confirm that it would not consider other options to effect those necessary savings.

Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: At that time the public service unions responded by indicating that they wished to develop their proposals. We very much welcome that and in that context the planned day of industrial action for today was postponed. The Government will consider any further proposals emerging from these discussions. I want to make it very clear that a basis for agreement will only exist if the scale of the...

Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: This legislation consolidates onshore and offshore planning to do exactly what Deputy Higgins has spoken of.

Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: When I was there-----

Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: -----we had several functions dealt with under statutory instrument. The administrative functions have now been finalised. It was clearly the legal view that new legislation had to be put through the House-----

Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: -----in the context of ensuring that we have proper offshore and onshore planning. This is a sensible way in dealing with-----

Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: -----the absolute necessity of ensuring that we have the opportunities that should be afforded to us, for example, in the context of energy.

Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: This is very much streamlining the planning process which will be of significant benefit to the people at large.

Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: Unfortunately, people do not seem to hear what we have been reiterating ad infinitum, which is that there will be a €4 billion adjustment in the context of the budget on Wednesday next. As a former Minister, the Leader of the Opposition is fully aware that all matters during the preparation of a budget are for discussion among Cabinet Ministers. They are not matters for discussion on the...

Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: Those final decisions will be made by the Government and we will be advised of them in the budget on Wednesday.

Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The Government has indicated that the adjustment will be €4 billion. Unlike Deputy Kenny, who wishes to dictate and determine-----

Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: This Government wants to obtain an effective and efficient public service wherein we need change.

Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The methods by which that change can be achieved must be workable and permanent, and must participate as part of our financial adjustment. Unlike the Deputy, we are prepared to listen to what other people have to say in the context of bringing matters to finality. Following on from the discussions the Taoiseach had on Tuesday, the unions indicated that they would consider further options....

Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The Deputy is standing up, so I will sit down.

Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: We can carry on with this farce all day if the Deputies want to.

Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The Taoiseach indicated that what was brought forward by the unions on Tuesday was inadequate. The unions indicated that they wished to revise and reconsider their proposals and bring them back to the Government. There are ongoing discussions today, so let us await the outcome. As the Taoiseach has said categorically, at the end of the day the Government will make a decision on the basis...

Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: On the Order Paper, this is Question No. 40 to the Minister for Finance this evening.

Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: It is on the Order Paper. I am from the Border region and I am acutely aware of the issues. I distinctly recall being vilified last year on the basis that one of the main reasons people travel to the North is to buy alcohol. That has proved to be correct. It is important to say, for the benefit of the retailers in this country, that we now see better value for money here. There has been...

Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: It is important to say that in the context of the value for money being provided by retailers in this jurisdiction. Every €10 spent in the retail sector is worth €24 within the Irish economy, and it is important to get that across.

Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I have articulated these concerns in many ways to the Minister for Finance in the light of considerations he is taking in the context of his preparation for the budget. After 23 years in this House, I will not disclose the outcome of such briefings on the basis that I have due regard for the process of budgetary preparations.