Results 20,501-20,520 of 21,307 for speaker:Mary Lou McDonald

Leaders' Questions (18 Oct 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: Today the HSE publishes reports on deaths and serious incidents among children in State care. Information has come into the public domain about a further 35 deaths of children in care since March 2010. There were 22 deaths last year and another 13 this year. These children, who were in the care of the State, died from a range of causes, including suicide, drug overdose and medical issues....

Leaders' Questions (18 Oct 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: I am sure everybody in the House and beyond shares the Taoiseach's expression of sympathy to the families of the children involved. I have to say, however, that expressions of sympathy are not enough. It is not obvious why the State cannot guarantee the security and safety of children in its care. The Taoiseach has established the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and expressed his...

Departmental Offices (18 Oct 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: To clarify, is the Taoiseach stating that Bills have been delayed because of these capacity constraints? On a related matter, has the Attorney General given the Taoiseach a legal opinion on the British Government's failure to honour the Weston Park agreement for an inquiry into the murder of Belfast human right solicitor, Pat Finucane?

Written Answers — Tax and Social Welfare Codes: Tax and Social Welfare Codes (13 Oct 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: Question 24: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will publish an analysis of the distributive and poverty impacts on families of budget 2012 tax or welfare package prior to the finalisation of the budget and the Dáil votes. [29048/11]

Written Answers — Social Welfare Code: Social Welfare Code (13 Oct 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: Question 31: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she explored the possibility of using the National Asset Management Agency properties to reduce spending on the rent supplement; and if she has entered any discussions regarding same. [29047/11]

Written Answers — National Treasury Management Agency: National Treasury Management Agency (13 Oct 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: Question 37: To ask the Minister for Finance if the National Treasury Management Agency is the appropriate body to manage the State's shareholdings in semi-State companies in view of the secrecy that surrounds the working of the company and the current practice that NTMA staff do not have to adhere to the same pay scales, terms and conditions as the civil and public service. [28644/11]

Sale of State Assets: Statements (13 Oct 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: If that is the Government's strategic thinking on State equity in the banks I urge the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to apply the same rationale to State assets. One of the problems with this debate has been that Deputies on the Government benches have talked about everything, even the price of tea in China, except State assets. With the exception of the Minister, who addressed...

Sale of State Assets: Statements (13 Oct 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: I left the Chamber for only ten or 15 minutes, as can be verified. No convincing rationale for these sell-offs has been presented. The Minister makes the point that the Government would not realise the value of bank shares at present, given market conditions. Let us take that at face value. What makes him think he will get a correct valuation for the proposed sale of State assets?

Sale of State Assets: Statements (13 Oct 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: In his own mind, the Minister is working from a position of vulnerability and pressure. He has conceded that point. First, we have heard no compelling case for partial privatisation of the assets. Second, the Minister has conceded that he is taking this option from a position of weakness. Third, his colleagues on the Government back benches believe the Government has sealed a deal with...

Sale of State Assets: Statements (13 Oct 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: I ask the Minister to revisit all of that. Can the Minister also address the issue of the potential private shareholding in the ESB and explain to the House why he believes it would not fundamentally alter the nature of the company, the way in which it operates and its commitment to the long-term needs and strategic interests of the State and its citizens?

Sale of State Assets: Statements (13 Oct 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: Given that the Government has not sealed that deal, the Minister needs to tell his backbenchers that it is not a done deal. They are under the impression that it is. The record of the House shows that.

Sale of State Assets: Statements (13 Oct 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: The Minister has been very clear. I merely urge him to clarify matters with his party colleagues.

Sale of State Assets: Statements (13 Oct 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: Whatever about the generalised understanding, was it not very unwise to make a concrete commitment for the sum of €2 billion before, at a very minimum, securing that understanding with the troika? I am opposed to what the Government is proposing to do. I think it is crazy. In the medium and long term it does not add up. However, even accepting the Government's rationale, the Minister...

Sale of State Assets: Statements (13 Oct 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: The Minister's statement of reluctance to sell off State assets or parts thereof was genuine. I urge him to listen to his instinct. I urge his colleagues in government to do likewise. This proposal is a classic case of short-term thinking. Deputy Ó Cuív was right, in that the McCarthy report, if it did nothing else, shone a light on the commercial success of the semi-State sector in...

Sale of State Assets: Statements (13 Oct 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: In the course of the Minister's commentary he did not address the impact of a private stake in any of these entities. Those who would choose to invest and become shareholders have a legitimate expectation of a return on their investment. This is how it works and the Minister and I know it. For the Minister to pretend this private profit-making interest would have no influence in the...

Sale of State Assets: Statements (13 Oct 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: Therefore, it makes no sense on this basis to countenance selling off any portion of the company. The Minister states the merit of his proposal is that the Government will still have a majority stake. This seems to be the Minister's view. I put it to him that the moment he introduces private shareholders into the equation the fundamental thrust of the organisation in terms of meeting the...

Sale of State Assets: Statements (13 Oct 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: As the Minister steps down this path he opens up the prospect of a similar experience for the other commercial semi-State bodies. The Minister is very unwise to have conceded to the troika that he would even consider the sale - and it would be a fire sale in these market conditions - of valuable State assets. He pointed the finger at Fianna Fáil and I accept that Deputy Ó Cuív was...

Sale of State Assets: Statements (13 Oct 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: -----I am working on the assumption that the valuation of these assets is with an eye to taking a decision on whether to dispose of them in whole or in part. Let us return to first principles and remind ourselves why the likes of the Minister, the Labour Party and many others and successive Administrations have put such a value and emphasis on the commercial semi-State bodies. It is because...

Leaders' Questions (13 Oct 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: The Minister, Deputy Howlin, told the House the advice from the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council is independent and will be weighed up. The Minister, Deputy Noonan, has already accepted at least one piece of its independent advice, namely that the extent of the cuts should be ratcheted up to €4 billion in the forthcoming budget. As the Minister weighs up this matter, do the social costs of...

Leaders' Questions (13 Oct 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: The Minister's colleagues in Government have relentlessly attacked so-called lifestyle choices of people who live on €187 a week.