Results 1,461-1,480 of 21,404 for speaker:Mary Lou McDonald
- Leaders' Questions (1 Feb 2012)
Mary Lou McDonald: I read a report in The Irish Times today which quotes an official as stating the European fiscal treaty was specifically crafted to minimise the prospect of a referendum in Ireland. The Taoiseach's line has been that if a referendum is necessary it will be held. He has told us repeatedly he has nothing to fear from a referendum. I put it to the Taoiseach that here we are looking at another...
- Leaders' Questions (1 Feb 2012)
Mary Lou McDonald: Allow me to quote from the report: "We drafted the text of the treaty so he - the Taoiseach - has a chance to avoid a referendum". Was that official telling the truth? Did the Taoiseach leave his green jersey behind when he went to negotiate this matter? Did this Government, and officials acting on behalf of this State, collude with other Governments and with EU institutions-----
- Leaders' Questions (1 Feb 2012)
Mary Lou McDonald: -----to avoid this treaty having to be put to the people by way of referendum?
- Leaders' Questions (1 Feb 2012)
Mary Lou McDonald: The Taoiseach has not answered the question. What I want to know is whether, in the course of this intensive engagement officials from this State, on the direction of this Government, engaged with the European institutions to draft the treaty in such a way as to frustrate the prospect of a referendum in this country. I want the Taoiseach to confirm or deny to the House that this was the...
- Leaders' Questions (1 Feb 2012)
Mary Lou McDonald: -----without as much as a nod to the democratic wishes of the people. That is my belief. Will the Taoiseach tell us whether in the course of that intensive engagement officials acting on behalf of this State worked with others to craft a treaty that would frustrate a referendum? I wish to put another question to the Taoiseach-----
- Leaders' Questions (1 Feb 2012)
Mary Lou McDonald: -----because he did not give an answer yesterday, in respect of the magnitude of austerity this treaty will involve, given the 0.5% deficit ceiling. We already know that to reach 3%-----
- Leaders' Questions (1 Feb 2012)
Mary Lou McDonald: -----the Taoiseach intends to impose cuts of the order of â¬8.6 billion over the next three years. Some economists reckon that in order to reach------
- Leaders' Questions (1 Feb 2012)
Mary Lou McDonald: -----the 0.5% target a further â¬6 billion in cuts will be involved. Is that also the Taoiseach's estimate?
- Leaders' Questions (1 Feb 2012)
Mary Lou McDonald: Given the level of that austerity how can the Taoiseach imagine-----
- Leaders' Questions (1 Feb 2012)
Mary Lou McDonald: -----it would be acceptable to collude with others to frustrate the democratic process in this jurisdiction?
- Leaders' Questions (1 Feb 2012)
Mary Lou McDonald: Is the story in today's press right or wrong?
- Leaders' Questions (1 Feb 2012)
Mary Lou McDonald: And prevent a referendum.
- Order of Business (1 Feb 2012)
Mary Lou McDonald: It is not agreed.
- Order of Business (1 Feb 2012)
Mary Lou McDonald: I ask the Taoiseach if he will stay to take questions following the statements. This would be appropriate given that he headed the negotiations on the matter.
- Order of Business (1 Feb 2012)
Mary Lou McDonald: I have no doubt there will be ongoing debate on the matter but this is the first occasion on which statements will be made and questions put. It is not right that the Taoiseach will be unavailable to take questions. After all, he headed this endeavour and he stands over the treaty on behalf of the Government. Irrespective of other engagements, he ought to be here to answer questions.
- Order of Business (1 Feb 2012)
Mary Lou McDonald: In fact he did not answer my questions.
- Order of Business (1 Feb 2012)
Mary Lou McDonald: When will time be provided for statements from the Taoiseach and a debate on the scheme of early retirement from the public sector and the implications it will have for the front line? The Taoiseach did not - yet again - answer in a concrete fashion the questions put to him this morning on the matter. If his Government has plans or a strategy for dealing with this issue, at what stage will...
- Order of Business (1 Feb 2012)
Mary Lou McDonald: He has not.
- Order of Business (1 Feb 2012)
Mary Lou McDonald: Can I take it that the Taoiseach takes no responsibility for this matter-----
- Order of Business (1 Feb 2012)
Mary Lou McDonald: -----and will not allow time for a debate? Will the Taoiseach not come in and address this issue?