Results 20,281-20,300 of 21,499 for speaker:Mary Lou McDonald

Order of Business (1 Dec 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: The Government will hardly announce the budget outside the House.

Leaders' Questions (1 Dec 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: We have 448,600 people out of work and the Tánaiste states unemployment is the Government's top priority as a policy issue. Heaven help us if this is the Government working to put jobs first. Figures published yesterday show an unemployment rate of 14.5% and a shocking increase in poverty levels. Some 22.5% of people reported that they live in deprivation, which means being unable to...

Leaders' Questions (1 Dec 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: Does the Tánaiste support the Minister's commentary? If he disagrees with him, will he apologise for the comments the Minister made? Let us also have a real commitment from the Tánaiste that the unemployed and those living in poverty will be front and centre in the Government's proposals in next week's budget.

Leaders' Questions (1 Dec 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: I notice the Tánaiste did not distance himself from the Minister's commentary. Irrespective of what his role is in the Government, it is not the Minister's role to add insult to injury to the unemployed and deprived people of this State. I hope the Tánaiste is clear about that.

Leaders' Questions (1 Dec 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: The Tánaiste stated the Government's efforts have focused on rebuilding the State's reputation. What kind of a reputation can a state have when almost half a million of its people are languishing on the unemployment lines? These are not statistics but people and families, yet less than a week before a budget that will be very hard on people we have a senior Government Minister being...

Leaders' Questions (1 Dec 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: -----fight against high pay and left former taoisigh on massive pensions. Out of the other side of its mouth, it tells people to cheer up, things will not be so bad and we should all take a weekend break. That is completely mad politics.

Leaders' Questions (1 Dec 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: Heaven help us if this heralds what the Government proposes to present to the Dáil and citizens in its budget next week. The Tánaiste stated the Government's priority is to get people back to work and listed the initiatives it has taken.

Leaders' Questions (1 Dec 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: Its initiatives are not working. What will it do differently? What new initiatives will it bring forward? When will it demonstrate in real terms a seriousness about getting people back to work? The figures do not lie. They reflect the failure of the Government.

Leaders' Questions (1 Dec 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: The Minister has done it already.

Leaders' Questions (1 Dec 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: What is the Government doing about them?

Leaders' Questions (1 Dec 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: The Government is failing in its job.

Written Answers — Ministerial Responsibilities: Ministerial Responsibilities (30 Nov 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: Question 40: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans for the responsibility of housing under his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37747/11]

Housing Regeneration Projects (30 Nov 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: Question 12: To ask the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the amount of money he intends to supply in 2012 and onwards for the continuation and completion of regeneration projects which are already underway in Ballymun, Dublin, and in Limerick. [37745/11]

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Nov 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: I will contribute now as this will be my only opportunity to do so. I am frustrated that the arguments on the amendments I have tabled will not be aired. I do not know if more time can be made available.

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Nov 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: That may be the case but this is a ludicrous and indefensible way to do business.

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Nov 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: While I appreciate the position of the Ceann Comhairle in respect of this matter, I do not appreciate the decision that has been taken.

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Nov 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: This is the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill. The net issues are that the Bill has been introduced as an emergency measure and the priority is the public interest. The Bill does not meet either criterion. While I understand Deputy Fleming's rationale for moving his amendments - he made a reasoned and well argued case - given that the pay level at which...

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Nov 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: There is not a snowball's chance in Hades that we will reach my amendments.

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Nov 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: We are in a crazy position.

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Nov 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: This is an emergency situation.