Results 1,201-1,220 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Official Engagements. (18 May 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: Question 25: To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the proposed work of the Forum on Europe for the rest of 2005; if he envisages it playing any role in regard to informing members of the public on the proposed new EU constitution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15980/05]

Official Engagements. (18 May 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: A statement was issued on the Taoiseach's behalf stating that he intended to meet the Prime Minister Mr. Blair in Moscow during the recent VE Day commemorations. In the event, Mr. Blair did not go to Moscow. Has the Taoiseach any immediate plans to meet Mr. Blair? Has he had telephone or other communications with the Prime Minister Mr. Blair on the present circumstances in Northern Ireland?...

Order of Business. (18 May 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: Will it be necessary to introduce legislation in respect of the sale of the State's shareholding in Aer Lingus?

Order of Business. (18 May 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: Is there a prospect of amending legislation in respect of the Moriarty tribunal?

Public Expenditure: Motion (Resumed). (18 May 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: I congratulate Deputy Burton for proposing this important motion and I thank colleagues on all sides of the House who have contributed to this important and overdue debate. I note that the Minister of State concluded his contribution with an exhortation to the House to recall 1982. The dispiriting aspect of this debate is that when the Government cannot blame a previous Government, which is...

Public Expenditure: Motion (Resumed). (18 May 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: Deputies spoke about the cost to the State of the electronic voting project, the mistakes made in respect of nursing homes, the renovation of the courthouse in Cork, the purchase of a site for the Minister, Deputy McDowell's prison and the projects at Punchestown and Abbotstown. The Taoiseach told the House this morning that the tribunals have cost €200 million, which is shocking....

Public Expenditure: Motion (Resumed). (18 May 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: I will. Some Ministers are interested in serving the interests of taxpayers, but other Ministers are more interested in cutting ribbons than in cutting waste. Many Ministers in the Cabinet prefer to avail of photo opportunities and cut ribbons, instead of reading documents and taking responsibility. They are unable to read complex briefs so they blame the Civil Service, and if they cannot...

Public Expenditure: Motion (Resumed). (18 May 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: I am sure the Ceann Comhairle agrees that it is scandalous.

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (18 May 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: Question 99: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the proposed task force to address outstanding complaints against Ireland over the failure to fulfil environmental obligations will be operational; the terms of reference of the task force; the persons who will be members of the task force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16345/05]

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (18 May 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: Question 164: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the progress of the report to the EU Commission detailing the way in which Ireland is dealing with ozone depleting substances; the reason for the failure to produce the report by the deadline of 31 December 2001; the steps taken to ensure the completion of the report following the Commission's...

Order of Business. (19 May 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: This is the second time in three weeks that emergency legislation has been brought before the House to protect the property interests of the State in different respects. On the previous occasion, the legislation related to the British-Irish Agreement and the protection of properties under the aegis of Waterways Ireland. On this occasion it applies to development land or properties — we have...

Order of Business. (19 May 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: There has been no briefing on this and the Government Whip did not feel obliged to tell the Whips at the meeting last night what the emergency measure contains or its purpose. There was no briefing of the spokespersons for either party and there has been no advice to the leaders of the parties why this is the case. If I am right in divining that it is about protection of State property, can...

Order of Business. (19 May 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: If I understood the Taoiseach properly yesterday, he said it would be necessary to bring legislation before the House if the national stake in Aer Lingus was to be sold. Is the Minister for Finance saying this is not now necessary, although control has been ceded, and the lifeblood of this economy in terms of trade, with all its implications, will not be discussed because legislation will not...

Order of Business. (19 May 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: Now the Minister is commissioning another report, which is interesting as he does not read any of the reports he gets. Is it the case that having set up a specialist group to advise on consumer matters, advertisements are now being placed in newspapers with a view to deferring a decision on the groceries order?

Order of Business. (19 May 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: With respect, the Minister spoke of clarity, but this matter is not clear to me. Will it be necessary to bring legislation before the House to sell a stake in Aer Lingus or is that provided for in existing legislation?

Order of Business. (19 May 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: Is the Ceann Comhairle saying that he did not implement his own Standing Orders?

Order of Business. (19 May 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: The Ceann Comhairle yesterday allowed a Member to sneak into this House to give an apology and did not implement the appropriate Standing Order.

Order of Business. (19 May 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: I cannot rise from this seat without the Ceann Comhairle lecturing me on Standing Orders. It now turns out that the Ceann Comhairle allowed a member of the party to which the Ceann Comhairle formerly belonged to sneak into the House yesterday without approval. The Whips were not advised. There is precedent in that regard too, which was not adhered to. The Ceann Comhairle ought to be consistent.

Order of Business. (19 May 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: It could be a breach of the trades description Act.

Order of Business. (19 May 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: I refer to the Government's decision yesterday in respect of Aer Lingus. When will the Minister for Transport be in a position to say precisely how the Government proposes to implement that wrong decision?