Results 1,901-1,920 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Irish Unification: Motion (Resumed). (3 Nov 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: Sinn Féin has never demonstrated any real interest in a workable devolved government for Northern Ireland. It barely involved itself in the negotiations of the strand one arrangements of the Good Friday Agreement. It has shed crocodile tears about the lack of an assembly. Participating in a "partitionist" assembly is largely irrelevant to its main project, namely, the drive for Irish unity.

Irish Unification: Motion (Resumed). (3 Nov 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: Its tactics are mistaken for at least two reasons. First, as regards Irish unity, as the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has stated, I too am a supporter. Partition has been disastrous for this country, on both sides of the Border. It generated two dysfunctional and confessional entities which at times were almost mirror images of each other. As the events of last week have...

Irish Unification: Motion (Resumed). (3 Nov 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: While the consequences of partition for the North were uglier and more violent, this was only because the numbers stacked up very differently and because there were those who believed the Border could be eradicated from the map through terror, destabilisation and economic misery. Although I favour the unity of all Irish men and women within a polity generous enough to accommodate them all, I...

Irish Unification: Motion (Resumed). (3 Nov 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: Now that they have finally decommissioned their weapons, republicans must follow the example of all other democratic parties North and South and commit themselves to creating a fully lawful and democratic society in Northern Ireland, one where the rule of law dominates and where all criminal activity is at an end. It is simply unacceptable to have a significant political party organised on...

Irish Unification: Motion (Resumed). (3 Nov 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: ——not participating in or supporting policing arrangements in Northern Ireland. Sinn Féin members are always quick to tell us about the sacrifices they have made and the difficulties they have faced each time they are dragged forward for the sake of political progress. However, they must recognise that, in doing so, they have benefited immensely, often at the expense of true democrats...

Irish Unification: Motion (Resumed). (3 Nov 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: ——and a lawful society is beyond question.

Irish Unification: Motion (Resumed). (3 Nov 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: Sinn Féin must now commit to supporting and playing an active role in the policing structures in the North. The 14th report of the policing Oversight Commissioner has again vindicated the stance of parties such as the SDLP, which took the brave decision to support the PSNI when republicans refused to do so. It is now clear that the overwhelming majority of the Nationalist community supports...

Written Answers — Humanitarian Assistance: Humanitarian Assistance (3 Nov 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: Question 53: To ask the Minister for Defence the resources he made available to the Governments of India and Pakistan following the 11 October 2005 earthquake; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32005/05]

Programmes for Government. (8 Nov 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: Question 1: To ask the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the publication of the Government progress report on implementation of An Agreed Programme for Government, especially in regard to those areas for which his Department has direct responsibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24366/05]

Programmes for Government. (8 Nov 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: Is the Taoiseach well satisfied with the performance of his Government as measured against the programme?

Programmes for Government. (8 Nov 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: For example, does that relate to the commitment to have 80% of taxpayers paying income tax at the standard rate?

Programmes for Government. (8 Nov 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: However, the commitment was for 80% and almost 50% are paying at the marginal or top rate.

Programmes for Government. (8 Nov 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: The Taoiseach is in much better form this week.

Programmes for Government. (8 Nov 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: No. The Taoiseach is always very polite in the face of severe provocation. Does the Taoiseach not think the time has come to rethink the spending of €665,000 on a report that is not serving its objective, which is to impress the people? It might have seemed a good idea when we were still getting accustomed to the extraordinary growth rates we have had for a dozen years but the people have...

Programmes for Government. (8 Nov 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: I am not asking a particular question on it. Earlier the Taoiseach dealt, in considerable detail, with what Professor Drumm said about this, that and the other. One would think the Taoiseach was the Irish out half playing against the All-Blacks the way the Ceann Comhairle seeks to protect him. He is the Head of Government and he should be allowed to answer a question as such.

Programmes for Government. (8 Nov 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: What reliance do we place on the programme for Government in the major area of health, for example? Has the whole orientation of the strategy changed? Are we now heading off in a different direction? If we are to go back to Deputy Sargent's question, why does the report not state that the Government has rethought the whole health area, that the way it was going at Ballymascanlon was the wrong...

Programmes for Government. (8 Nov 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: That is a very narrow view of the question.

Programmes for Government. (8 Nov 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: The Taoiseach must answer for the Minister of State, Deputy Callely. I am asking him if this is the beginning of another political splurge at the taxpayers expense.

Programmes for Government. (8 Nov 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: What about Christmas trees for the public?

Programmes for Government. (8 Nov 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: The Minister could get an advertisement out of that going in his own constituency.