Results 21,181-21,200 of 21,307 for speaker:Mary Lou McDonald

Leaders' Questions (4 May 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: -----to tell me or, indeed, those who live in these appalling conditions about the record of the previous Administration. I must say it is getting a little tedious in this House that when a straight question is put to the Taoiseach, he runs for cover behind the record of his predecessors. That is not acceptable. His answer in this House today will be cold comfort to those living in these...

Leaders' Questions (4 May 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: The fact is that Fine Gael, in government, has been quite satisfied-----

Leaders' Questions (4 May 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: -----to continue with the failed policies of those who it criticises, but it will not hold out any hope or any real alternative to the people who suffer from its collective view that it cushions the rich and punishes the poor.

Leaders' Questions (4 May 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: Tell me this. Will there be a social dividend from NAMA? If there are unfinished or unsold houses, how will the Government use these to address the housing crisis? Can some of the housing stock currently in NAMA be given to not-for-profit housing associations to relieve the waiting lists? Can the Taoiseach give an assurance on behalf of the Government that he will give more than...

Leaders' Questions (4 May 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: -----I think many on the Government benches are boys-----

Leaders' Questions (4 May 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: -----and address the issues that affect people? I have asked the Taoiseach directly about these communities in Dublin and Limerick.

Leaders' Questions (4 May 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: I have asked him about NAMA. I would like answers to those questions-----

Leaders' Questions (4 May 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: -----rather than a ruaille buaille with Deputy Martin and the Taoiseach.

Written Answers — Banking Sector Regulation: Banking Sector Regulation (3 May 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: Question 61: To ask the Minister for Finance as the sole shareholder in Anglo Irish Bank and acting on behalf of the State, the actions he will take against the external auditors who gave Irish banks unqualified audit reports in the months preceding the bank guarantee in 2008; the measures he will put in place to ensure that external auditors can be held to account in any future banking...

Written Answers — State Assets: State Assets (3 May 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: Question 66: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will name the commercial semi-State bodies from the Report of the Review Group on State Assets & Liabilities that he has discussed and-or is actively considering selling a whole or part of; the timeframe he will begin this sale process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9662/11]

Leaders' Questions (3 May 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: I am sure the Taoiseach will join me in commending the emergency services whose members spent last weekend fighting gorse fires that threatened farmland and family homes. I have no doubt their sterling work has saved lives. It is ironic that we see such work being done at a time when the public sector and public servants are under threat from the Taoiseach's Administration. The Taoiseach...

Leaders' Questions (3 May 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: In that reality, of course, the decision to pump those billions into Anglo Irish Bank, which the Taoiseach has supported, is not fiscally neutral. The Taoiseach said adjustments will be made. I discern from this that we face further cutbacks in order to give life to this jobs initiative. Can he confirm that? The Taoiseach appears to be hiding behind language. When all the evidence...

Order of Business (3 May 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: I do not believe the Taoiseach would be obliged to go as far as Auckland or Melbourne to find a person to represent the Irish diaspora. Perhaps he might bear in mind those in Britain, for example, who work on behalf of members of the diaspora who have not been so fortunate and who have not experienced the major successes enjoyed by others. I take this opportunity to congratulate the Minister...

Constitutional Convention (3 May 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: I am not any the wiser about the constitutional convention. I understand the Taoiseach is figuring his way through its composition. Will he assure us that the convention will be all-Ireland in nature? This is a matter we have raised previously. It would be ludicrous to discuss current or future constitutional arrangements and provisions for the country if we were to approach them in a...

Constitutional Convention (3 May 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: Given that the Taoiseach's party also had several Members returned to the Seanad, we are not alone in that regard. It may prove extremely short-sighted to decide that, because the Seanad has been a disaster as it is currently constituted and misused, we should use the blunt instrument of abolishing it. A more considered approach is required, including a public debate. In regard to the...

Appointments to State Boards (3 May 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Taoiseach as an fhreagra sin. The soundings the Taoiseach has made with regard to the process for appointment to State bodies is welcome. However, it is a matter of regret that up to 110 people were appointed by the outgoing Government to State boards in the period between the dissolution of the previous Dáil and the formation of the new Government. We all agree...

Appointments to State Boards (3 May 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: I appreciate that the requirements and job specification would be set out, which is absolutely necessary. If the ultimate power of decision is not vested in the committee - if one is to be cynical about it - does it not then simply become an optical exercise? I do not suggest that the committees should become simply blocking mechanisms, but if one were to scrutinise the candidature of any...

Appointments to State Boards (3 May 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: Given that an applicant will set out initially his or her vision for the job based on what he or she can bring thereto, what will be the role of the committee in scrutinising performance on an ongoing basis?

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (21 Apr 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: Question 15: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will reassert his support for the findings of the Goldstone report on Gaza; and if so, the steps he is taking to encourage other states in pledging confidence in it. [8772/11]

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (21 Apr 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: Question 33: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding his support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8773/11]