Results 2,361-2,380 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Had we followed the Opposition's policies, the dole queues would have been much longer, the downturn would have been much deeper and the recovery would have been delayed. The Deputy will remember how this happened in the 1980s when Fine Gael flunked decisions.

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: No party got it right with respect to the international downturn, including Fine Gael, Labour or ourselves. The Opposition's arguments are very flawed. We are currently on the path to securing recovery and we are not involved in personality politics. We have seen some of the happenings in the past couple of days which clearly come from personality politics. In the past number of years the...

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: We are trying to support and sustain jobs.

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Other countries are following our example. We only have to read an independent publication like The Wall Street Journal-----

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: One can put it no better than RTE's Seán O'Rourke, who recently stated that the Opposition bought into the climate of the day. At least we acknowledge that we made mistakes. The Opposition does not do so.

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: In the 2007 general election campaign, Fine Gael and Labour came together and agreed an agenda in respect of tax and jobs. In a nutshell, this meant more spending.

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Does Deputy Shortall recall that her party promised a baby bond of €1,000 in respect of every child under the age of 18?

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The Labour Party stated it would reduce income tax by 2%. We refused to do so. It also stated that it would slash stamp duty, which would have led to house prices increasing again. We refused to take such an option. The Labour Party also wanted us to increase spending. Fine Gael wanted the VAT on houses to be decreased by 1% which, again, would only have fuelled the boom.

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Fine Gael also wanted to slash stamp duty.

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Fine Gael also wanted free GP visits.

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: It also wanted free health insurance for children and to abolish VRT.

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Even now, the Labour Party has it completely wrong. Deputy Burton tried to suggest-----

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: -----that Professor Honohan was wrong on the need for a guarantee. Deputy Burton still does not accept that the guarantee was necessary. The Labour Party was again proved wrong in respect of how the banking crisis should be dealt with.

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Deputy Gilmore is a veneer politician.

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: There is no substance to anything Deputy Gilmore says. He operates on the basis of the emotional soundbite.

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Deputy Gilmore cannot take a stand on anything. His attitude is "There is a crowd, I must go and follow it". He finally stated two days ago-----

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: -----that he would not enter coalition with Fianna Fáil. I wonder if he will change is mind in light of the debacle on the Fine Gael benches.

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: He sat on the fence in respect of the Croke Park agreement. Today, however, he stated that we must reform the public sector. If he cannot come down on one side or the other, is he capable of providing leadership or so-called change?

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Deputy Gilmore was asked about water charges last month and had an "Enda Kenny moment".

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: This time last year the Labour Party was talking tough in respect of crime.