Results 12,141-12,160 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Seanad: Infrastructure and Capital Investment: Statements, Questions and Answers (22 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: It is extraordinary that people who were part of an Administration which brought our economy to its knees a few short months ago, and I believe this is the anniversary of the-----

Seanad: Infrastructure and Capital Investment: Statements, Questions and Answers (22 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: -----of the troika coming in.

Seanad: Infrastructure and Capital Investment: Statements, Questions and Answers (22 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: The last time I heard somebody argue year zero was Pol Pot when we are supposed to forget all that went before.

Seanad: Infrastructure and Capital Investment: Statements, Questions and Answers (22 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: We are determined to restore our public finances-----

Seanad: Infrastructure and Capital Investment: Statements, Questions and Answers (22 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: -----to ensure we can afford to undertake such projects in the not too distant future. Notwithstanding this, the transport allocation will include the commencement of the linkage of the two Luas lines, incorporating a line extending to Broombridge in north west Dublin, the railway safety programme that has been set out, replacement buses, and the upgrade of existing quality bus corridors will...

Seanad: Infrastructure and Capital Investment: Statements, Questions and Answers (22 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: There was a time when a Government thought they had money for everything. Unfortunately it was not their money.

Seanad: Infrastructure and Capital Investment: Statements, Questions and Answers (22 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: It now falls on this responsible Government to cure that terrible malaise. We are continuing to fund a wide range of capital programmes and projects - €17 billion is still a very significant amount of money. The areas with an increased share of the overall capital allocation, compared with the last capital review in 2010, are education, health and enterprise, reflecting both my priorities...

Seanad: Infrastructure and Capital Investment: Statements, Questions and Answers (22 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: Would the Deputy prefer to cut social welfare?

Seanad: Infrastructure and Capital Investment: Statements, Questions and Answers (22 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: That is a great record for 14 years in government.

Seanad: Infrastructure and Capital Investment: Statements, Questions and Answers (22 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: The Central Mental Hospital, the national oncology centre-----

Seanad: Infrastructure and Capital Investment: Statements, Questions and Answers (22 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: It is a very nice place.

Seanad: Infrastructure and Capital Investment: Statements, Questions and Answers (22 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: It is entirely in the Acting Chairman's hands.

Seanad: Infrastructure and Capital Investment: Statements, Questions and Answers (22 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: Perhaps I might deal with three speakers at a time.

Seanad: Infrastructure and Capital Investment: Statements, Questions and Answers (22 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: I would genuinely like a different type of debate. I am open to all suggestions. However, shouting down other speakers and making political cases impresses nobody, either insider or outside the House. Nevertheless, I will answer the question put directly to me by Senator David Cullinane in respect of an issue that is entirely extraneous, namely, the decision as to whether the VEC site...

Seanad: Infrastructure and Capital Investment: Statements, Questions and Answers (22 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: I am giving plain facts. I will try to bring about transparency in the manner in which we do business.

Seanad: Infrastructure and Capital Investment: Statements, Questions and Answers (22 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: We can shout each other down or engage in real politics and justify the existence of this House, a decision on which will be put to the people.

Seanad: Infrastructure and Capital Investment: Statements, Questions and Answers (22 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: If the Senator continues to deny everyone speaking time, no one will be heard. I do not think in parochial terms. I supported the concentration of services from my county into Waterford because the development of a regional cancer centre in a regional hospital in Waterford was the best solution, although the population of Wexford is larger. I supported the development of a regional airport...

Seanad: Infrastructure and Capital Investment: Statements, Questions and Answers (22 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: Yes, I understood the Senator's question. In regard to the lottery proposal, I was looking for innovative ways of getting new money. I would like at this point to make a general point if I may. This is important in the context of Fianna Fáil's contribution to the House thus far. I understood Fianna Fáil embraced the objective of reaching a deficit of 8.6% of GDP next year.

Seanad: Infrastructure and Capital Investment: Statements, Questions and Answers (22 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: That is immutable. The best analysis we have suggests we need to make adjustments of €3.8 billion to do that. The Government has decided that this amount should be made up as follows: €1.6 billion in additional taxes; and €2.2 billion in cuts, €1.45 billion of which will be in current and €0.75 billion will be in capital expenditure. It is a fair point if Fianna Fáil believes we...

Seanad: Infrastructure and Capital Investment: Statements, Questions and Answers (22 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: There is no four-year plan. We are talking now about 2012 and €750 million-----