Results 25,661-25,680 of 26,685 for speaker:David Cullinane

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

David Cullinane: We are opposed to it politically. What we are doing is what any party should do. We are taking the arguments directly to the Government parties in the Dáil and in the Seanad. People talk about leadership. Senator Whelan talked about the footpaths and the lighting in playgrounds having to be paid for yet he has the brass neck to sit in this House, along with members of his party, Fine...

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

David Cullinane: That was in the Fine Gael manifesto. I am talking about Labour and Fine Gael. Fine Gael in its manifesto said that burden sharing would have to be imposed and unilateral action would be taken, if necessary.

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

David Cullinane: That was in Fine Gael's election manifesto.

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

David Cullinane: I am not deliberately misleading the House.

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

David Cullinane: That was in Fine Gael's election manifesto.

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

David Cullinane: There was also a good deal of public commentary by Fine Gael's public representatives during the course of the election campaign. We then had "It's Frankfurt's way or Labour's way" and all that nonsense, and that the money would not go into the banks. As I said numerous times, Deputy Eamon Gilmore at the time made a name for himself as the tough man taking on the Government and the banks...

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

David Cullinane: What does not add up and what is not right socially, economically or morally is that we should be paying back private banking debt. That is what we are doing at a time when we are asking people to shoulder huge amounts of pain. Low to middle income families are being asked to pay every time. The Minister of State can sit in his chair, nod his head and do whatever he likes but the reality...

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

David Cullinane: If you were listening you would have heard me say how they would be paid for. You were half asleep. I said there is money in the National Pensions Reserve Fund-----

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

David Cullinane: What my party said it would do------

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

David Cullinane: We would do what the Senator's party said it would do when it was in opposition, namely, introduce a third rate of tax of 48% but it abandoned that when it went into office.

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

David Cullinane: Tell them not to pay.

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

David Cullinane: Not for long.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2012: Second Stage (21 Mar 2012)

David Cullinane: I agree with Senator Mooney that politics is about choices. Various options are always open to any Government. The options chosen by the Government in last December's budget and in the Finance Bill 2012 were the wrong ones. I do not believe they will solve the problems in the economy or uplift our domestic economy. Many of the measures in question are unfair and regressive. As a previous...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Mar 2012)

David Cullinane: The Senator is making a single transferable speech again.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Mar 2012)

David Cullinane: I was going to raise the issue of the household charge, but in the context that only 15% of the people of this State have already paid it. Does this mean the 85% who have not paid are subverting democracy? Looking at the number of people who have not paid, it is obvious many Fine Gael, Labour Party and Fianna Fáil supporters have not paid.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Mar 2012)

David Cullinane: They are citizens of the State and they are taking a stand.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Mar 2012)

David Cullinane: I have. Many people who are not paying the charge are not paying it because it is unfair and regressive. They are not paying it because somebody who earns €10,000 a week pays the same as somebody who earns €10,000 a year. That is unfair. If people say that anyone who does not pay the household charge is subverting the State and democracy, that is shameful. The Government should be...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Mar 2012)

David Cullinane: What I would say to all those Senators who come in here week in and out and attack Sinn Féin and those taking a stand on this charge is that they have their chance. On the same day as the expiry date for the payment of the household charge, 31 March, they should not pay the €3.1 billion Anglo promissory note.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Mar 2012)

David Cullinane: That is about 17 times more than what the Government will take in on the household charge. That is the choice available to the Government. It should not come in here attacking Sinn Féin, which is not in government. The Government should do what it should be doing. It should stand up for the Irish people and not pay the Anglo promissory note. It should go after the wealthy people in this...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Mar 2012)

David Cullinane: On a point of order and to set the record straight, I did not advocate that people should not pay. Senator O'Neill should listen to what people say. I said it was an unfair and regressive tax and that it should be scrapped. There is a big difference.