Results 25,241-25,260 of 26,148 for speaker:Kieran O'Donnell

Banking System: Motion (25 Feb 2009)

Kieran O'Donnell: No.

Banking System: Motion (25 Feb 2009)

Kieran O'Donnell: We want transparency and we want accountability. These are questions that need to be answered by the Minister. In all the contributions made by Fianna Fáil Deputies tonight, I did not hear one mention of the taxpayer. This is fundamentally about protecting taxpayers' money. We want the banking system to be fluid and functional, because the key feature in this recapitalisation scheme is...

Banking System: Motion (25 Feb 2009)

Kieran O'Donnell: The guarantee scheme was supposed to provide funds to small businesses and to mortgage holders.

Banking System: Motion (25 Feb 2009)

Kieran O'Donnell: That is what was put forward.

Banking System: Motion (25 Feb 2009)

Kieran O'Donnell: When the Minister of State checks the facts out, he will find that they are accurate. This is not about bailing out the banks, or keeping bankers in salaries or re-appointing people who created the problem. However, on both occasions that is what has happened in the banking sector. How can the Government expect the public to have trust? We have made a very straightforward proposal. If the...

Banking System: Motion (25 Feb 2009)

Kieran O'Donnell: I have not got any invitation yet.

Banking System: Motion (25 Feb 2009)

Kieran O'Donnell: Energy prices need to be brought down. The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources is not dealing with the issue. He could move in tomorrow morning and show that the regulator allowed the ESB to reduce its costs. We have put forward practical measures. We have called on the board and the management of the Financial Regulator to be replaced. We have called for a cap on...

Banking System: Motion (25 Feb 2009)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Minister needs to come into the House to tell us how much Mr. Boucher is being paid. He needs to tell us if the Government is happy with his appointment, considering he was involved in the bank and created the problems. I commend the motion to the House, and I hope we get support from the Fianna Fáil Deputies who proclaim to have such an interest in restoring the banking system.

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2009)

Kieran O'Donnell: Public sector employees regard the pension levy as unfair and want to know whether the moneys raised under the levy will be allocated to a public service pension fund. The National Pension Reserve Fund was established by former Minister for Finance, Mr. Charlie McCreevy, to fund public sector and social welfare pensions from around 2025 onwards. The problem with the proposed pension levy is...

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2009)

Kieran O'Donnell: Does the Minister accept that the pension levy is a reduction in salary for all other public sector employees?

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2009)

Kieran O'Donnell: Yes. If it is not the logical conclusion and it is not a reduction in remuneration for the ordinary public sector worker on modest income, then I cannot see how it would be contrary to the Constitution that members of the Judiciary pay the pension levy. The Minister needs to clarify this point. Does he now admit that the pension levy is a reduction in remuneration?

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Committee Stage (25 Feb 2009)

Kieran O'Donnell: That may not be an accident.

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2009)

Kieran O'Donnell: While many points have been touched on, there are several issues I wish to raise. This is emergency legislation which normally means it should be a short-term measure. Public sector workers see the Government willing to give €3.5 billion to the two main banks, €7 billion in total, with no specific repayment date but an open-ended arrangement. The pension levy scheme which appears to be...

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2009)

Kieran O'Donnell: Yes, decades. National strikes do not happen for the sake of it. The reason people are marching is they believe this scheme is unfair and that the Government has not taken control of the situation. Instead, it is progressing by fits and starts. Is it fair that a public servant earning €18,300 a year, the minimum wage, will pay a levy of 3.5% of his or her income while someone on...

Written Answers — Hospital Accommodation: Hospital Accommodation (19 Feb 2009)

Kieran O'Donnell: Question 50: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the locations of the 600 hospital beds that are expected to be taken out of the system in 2009; the wards and the number expected to be closed in each ward; when they will be closed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6623/09]

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Second Stage (19 Feb 2009)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Government needs to restore the integrity of the banking system.

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Second Stage (19 Feb 2009)

Kieran O'Donnell: Deputy Kennedy is not doing it with this speech.

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Second Stage (19 Feb 2009)

Kieran O'Donnell: How is this a positive measure?

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Second Stage (19 Feb 2009)

Kieran O'Donnell: Deputy Kennedy is a chancer.

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Second Stage (19 Feb 2009)

Kieran O'Donnell: I am delighted to contribute to this debate. Deputy Kennedy's contribution was probably one of the most negative——