Results 1,461-1,480 of 19,162 for speaker:Alan Shatter

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (15 Dec 2009)

Alan Shatter: Question 45: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his proposed visit to Israel has been cancelled or postponed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46838/09]

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (15 Dec 2009)

Alan Shatter: Question 245: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the need for the dean or head of the diplomatic corps to be the longest serving ambassador resident in the State; if he supports the Papal Nuncio continuing as dean or head of he diplomatic corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47016/09]

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (15 Dec 2009)

Alan Shatter: Question 246: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, at their recent meeting, the Papal Nuncio agreed that he and the Vatican would furnish the Murphy commission with all documentation and information previously sought by it in connection with its inquiry into the archdiocese of Dublin; if he confirmed that there would be similar co-operation with regard to the inquiry being conducted...

Order of Business (16 Dec 2009)

Alan Shatter: Do we get any replies from the Taoiseach?

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2009)

Alan Shatter: One should be employed by a contract cleaning firm rather than by the State. That is an interesting phenomenon.

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2009)

Alan Shatter: A Leas-Cheann Comhairle, very briefly-----

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2009)

Alan Shatter: I promise to be brief and have not contributed overmuch.

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2009)

Alan Shatter: I have not contributed. I am afraid I am being provoked by the Minister of State to make a very brief contribution.

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2009)

Alan Shatter: His rhetorical concern about the solvency of the State would have some credibility if he and his colleagues in Fianna Fáil had been more concerned about this issue earlier. We are in the mess we are in because the Taoiseach-----

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2009)

Alan Shatter: -----will be proved by history to be the most incompetent Minister for Finance since the foundation of the State and probably the most incompetent Taoiseach. The manner in which this Bill is being dealt with contributes to that.

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2009)

Alan Shatter: That contributes to and confirms that perception.

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2009)

Alan Shatter: For destroying the economy.

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2009)

Alan Shatter: He created the mess. He made it worse.

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2009)

Alan Shatter: Fianna Fáil has a unique-----

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2009)

Alan Shatter: We need a cleaner to clean Fianna Fáil out of Government.

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2009)

Alan Shatter: A very important principle is involved here. In addressing that principle those of us in this House should be careful about how we approach it. An essential cornerstone of our Constitution is that the independence of the Judiciary is preserved, that the Government does not put the Judiciary under pressure on any particular issue and that the Judiciary is not perceived as giving into...

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2009)

Alan Shatter: Yes; I am sorry. It is 50% more than the pay of a legislator in this House, no matter how many years he or she has been here. If the Government believes it is fair that this be extended to the Judiciary, we should bring to an end calls on its members to voluntarily contribute to pension levies or hand back a portion of their salaries. What we should do is to put the necessary...

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2009)

Alan Shatter: In the context of this issue, a referendum could be held on the same day at minimal additional expense to update our constitutional provisions to deal with the current economic difficulties. We need a proper constitutional mechanism to address this issue. We should not play games with it, nor should the Government. It is the Government's responsibility to address this issue and with the...

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2009)

Alan Shatter: I want to return to what has been said by other contributors. While I heard the Minister of State's contribution today I recall that in an earlier contribution he praised himself and the Government for the action they are taking in the context of this legislation. This has the level of credibility of a pyromaniac who sets fire to a building and then seeks praise for calling the fire...

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2009)

Alan Shatter: He is not here on a solo-run representing himself. He is here based on his remit to implement Government policy collectively made at Cabinet within the constitutional framework of the State. There is no reason a decision could not have been made during the course of the Cabinet's deliberations announced on Budget Day that a referendum will be held to extend, in times of emergency, the...