Results 13,981-14,000 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: -----who have shown foresight in accepting reductions in their standard of living in order to secure a better future for their own children and the people who live in this country.

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Opposition, however, either collectively or as individual parties, have shown no appetite for fiscal restraint.

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The difficult questions about how our resources should be spent are sidestepped.

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Labour Party has warm feelings for every cause, but no idea about how to fund its ever-lengthening wish list. There is no analysis.

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Deputy Quinn represented himself in his contribution-----

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Deputy Quinn represented himself earlier today as the father of fiscal responsibility. This was the Minister for Finance who abolished the only property tax we had in the run-up to the election of 1997. It is clear that this was a mistake.

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: This was also the Government that decided to eliminate water charges-----

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: -----which every economist of repute has told us we should have.

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Let us be clear. We do not know where the Labour Party stands on the issue of water charges. Its spokesperson on the environment opposed water charges, as did Deputy Stagg.

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Its party leader says it has yet to decide, as a party, on the issue. Again, it is sitting on the fence-----

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: -----as it did on the agreement that was signed up for today.

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: We all know that we must broaden our tax base. The Regling report recommends such a course of action.

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Of course we will continue that process in the next budget. However, I do not expect to obtain much support from Deputies opposite.

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Any more than they want to listen to this speech, they do not want it pointed out that they are not prepared to support-----

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: -----the essential measures that are needed. We know what their position will be on tax well in advance of the budget.

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Labour party will suggest there is a tiny group of people who can pay for everything, and Fine Gael will oppose any taxation measures whatsoever. I know that before the ink is dry on any budget speech and well in advance of it.

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Last month, Deputy Gilmore could not bring himself-----

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: -----to decide whether he supported the Croke Park agreement. That would mean taking a stance. This Government gave a textbook example of political leadership on 29 September 2008 when it introduced the bank guarantee.

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Again, this was opposed by the Labour Party. Let us see what Professor Honohan had to say about that.

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Our guarantee was opposed as a matter of principle.