Results 15,541-15,560 of 21,499 for speaker:Mary Lou McDonald

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 Dec 2018)

Mary Lou McDonald: The figures I quoted are not my figures; they were produced by Threshold, the RTB and daft.ie, which all Members will accept are reputable sources. Of course, this is not about figures and statistics. It is about people. Anybody with eyes, ears and a brain can process what is clearly evident all around us and understand the depths of the crisis we face. The Taoiseach's reply to me this...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 Dec 2018)

Mary Lou McDonald: However, the Taoiseach has steadfastly refused to give the same focus to renters. The Government can make one of two choices. It can continue with this claptrap, this trend it is on, and Nero can fiddle while Rome burns, or it can accept the objective facts.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 Dec 2018)

Mary Lou McDonald: While the Taoiseach talks about striking what he regards as an appropriate balance of rights, an article was published in the media today-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 Dec 2018)

Mary Lou McDonald: -----which states that many people who are in homelessness and relying on hotel accommodation may be turfed out from that accommodation as Christmas approaches. We raise these matters with the Taoiseach and we get nonsense and cop-outs and claptrap about Christmas trees. What is the Taoiseach going to do for renters? What contingency plans are in place for people who may face being thrown...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 Dec 2018)

Mary Lou McDonald: No. I asked the Taoiseach for answers, but he has singularly not given any.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 Dec 2018)

Mary Lou McDonald: Unlike the Taoiseach, I do care.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (5 Dec 2018)

Mary Lou McDonald: That is pathetic. The Taoiseach is the Head of Government.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (5 Dec 2018)

Mary Lou McDonald: The Society of St. Vincent de Paul stated yesterday that it expects that energy price increases in the coming weeks and months will force low-income households to go without heat and light. Ms Caroline Fahey, head of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul social justice team, said that price increases are really going to hit struggling households hard as so many are already finding it difficult...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Staff Data (5 Dec 2018)

Mary Lou McDonald: 1. To ask the Taoiseach the number of staff in his Department who provide supports for Independent Ministers in government. [50348/18]

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Staff Data (5 Dec 2018)

Mary Lou McDonald: The question was about Independent Ministers in government but I notice that Fianna Fáil's negotiators are to report back to their party leader on the state of talks with Fine Gael to renew the confidence and supply arrangement. Will the Taoiseach or even the leader of Fianna Fáil enlighten the rest of us as to the state of play in that regard? What is on offer and what is being...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): British-Irish Council (5 Dec 2018)

Mary Lou McDonald: 2. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the recent meeting of the British-Irish Council. [48021/18]

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): British-Irish Council (5 Dec 2018)

Mary Lou McDonald: The Taoiseach referred to full restoration of the institutions in line with the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. That may rhetorically be the Taoiseach's position, but it is not his position politically. Week on week, he amplifies that reality when he takes to his feet in this House. I am not going to waste the time that I have on tit-for-tat politics. Brexit has thrown up...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): British-Irish Council (5 Dec 2018)

Mary Lou McDonald: It was clear that the Deputy was talking about the North.

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Brexit Issues (5 Dec 2018)

Mary Lou McDonald: 8. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the recent special meeting of the European Council. [50556/18]

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Brexit Issues (5 Dec 2018)

Mary Lou McDonald: I wish to place on the record my agreement with Deputy Boyd Barrett in respect of the changes to personal independent payment and universal credit. The moves have been seriously damaging to working and vulnerable people. I remind the Deputy that, believe it or not, this scenario would have been far worse but for mitigation that was secured. That is not to defend those responsible but it is...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed): Brexit Issues (5 Dec 2018)

Mary Lou McDonald: That is right.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Dec 2018)

Mary Lou McDonald: As we know, yesterday the British Prime Minister shelved her plan for her so-called meaningful vote on the withdrawal agreement because it was likely to be defeated by a significant margin. As we are all aware, this heightens the prospect of a no deal scenario or a crash out Brexit, which nobody in their right senses wishes to see happen. I know that this matter was discussed at Cabinet...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Dec 2018)

Mary Lou McDonald: I do not know if the Taoiseach missed what happened at Westminster. I am not disputing any of the information. I am conversant with the Good Friday Agreement and I know what Theresa May said yesterday. Incidentally, she raised the prospect of Irish unity. I am sure the Taoiseach heard that part of what she said. In this instance we are discussing the contingency planning for the prospect...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Dec 2018)

Mary Lou McDonald: It is imperative, therefore, that the Taoiseach prepares for a referendum on unity. As head of Government, the correct thing for him to do is put it to Theresa May, as I have done, that in the event of a crash not of our making we will not be the collateral damage of a Tory Brexit, we will protect the national interest and we will prepare the ultimate and only real contingency plan, which is...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 Dec 2018)

Mary Lou McDonald: That is stupid.