Results 28,781-28,800 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Pension Provisions. (24 Apr 2008)

Richard Bruton: Read the document.

Tax Collection. (24 Apr 2008)

Richard Bruton: As this is the last time the Minister will appear on finance questions, I wish him well in his future endeavours. I hope he will remember those of us who still labour here in the vineyard and that he will cast a kind eye towards us from time to time from his great position of authority. I wish him well. I have enjoyed working with him for more years than I care to count. Good luck with...

Fiscal Policy. (24 Apr 2008)

Richard Bruton: Question 1: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his views on the deteriorating condition of Ireland's public finances; and the underlying causes and the policy responses needed. [15894/08]

Fiscal Policy. (24 Apr 2008)

Richard Bruton: People express dismay at the very rapid deterioration in the public finances. It is hard to believe that while the Minister was in office, a surplus of €2.3 billion has turned to a predicted deficit this year of €6 billion, if we are fortunate. This has occurred on the back of the Minister ignoring repeated warnings from bodies such as the International Monetary Fund and the European...

Fiscal Policy. (24 Apr 2008)

Richard Bruton: That is not what I said. I referred to the plans in the programme for Government. The Minister should not answer a question I did not ask.

Fiscal Policy. (24 Apr 2008)

Richard Bruton: Does the Tánaiste accept there has been a serious structural deterioration in the public finances, which has nothing to do with the cycle set out in the programmes he presents to the EU? Does he accept the Department's forecast that tax revenue in 2010 will be at least €6.3 billion short of the figure used as the basis in the programme for Government? Even that is optimistic as it does...

Fiscal Policy. (24 Apr 2008)

Richard Bruton: My question related to 2010 when the Government will be €6.3 billion short of what the programme for Government is based on.

Fiscal Policy. (24 Apr 2008)

Richard Bruton: The Government needs a compass to do that and it is in rough seas without a compass.

Fiscal Policy. (24 Apr 2008)

Richard Bruton: I did not say that.

Fiscal Policy. (24 Apr 2008)

Richard Bruton: I said the Government has spending planned that it cannot honour and it has Departments planning on the basis that they can.

Public Sector Reform. (24 Apr 2008)

Richard Bruton: Question 4: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the specific changes he plans to deliver public service reform. [15893/08]

Public Sector Reform. (24 Apr 2008)

Richard Bruton: The Minister has said public service reform is his first priority but in the two minutes of his reply he did not offer a single specific initiative. The Minister has been in the Cabinet for 13 years and has been responsible for the public service for four years but he has no proposal to offer the Dáil on the eve of his taking office as Taoiseach. Would the Minister agree to an audit of...

Order of Business (24 Apr 2008)

Richard Bruton: Yesterday, the Tánaiste spoke about the forthcoming pay round and social partnership agreement. He spoke for many when he urged the need for greater productivity increases and pay restraint. Will he apply these principles to the activities of his Government? The Government recently increased the number of Ministers of State by three, increased the number of Oireachtas committees by three...

Order of Business (24 Apr 2008)

Richard Bruton: This is an issue on which an order will be laid.

Order of Business (24 Apr 2008)

Richard Bruton: There is an order to be laid before the House and it goes to the heart of public business. We are entitled to know the Government's view.

Order of Business (24 Apr 2008)

Richard Bruton: I am perfectly entitled to ask if the Government intends to withdraw the order in light of the decision of the Tánaiste to tell all of us that we are facing into more uncertain times, which we knew already, and that the emphasis needs to be on productivity.

Order of Business (24 Apr 2008)

Richard Bruton: Fine Gael urged that a referendum on absolute child protection be taken early. The Government did not decide to go that route. Useful work is being done in the committee established to consider this. Does the Tánaiste see greater urgency to proceed quickly with the referendum in light of the decision in court yesterday?

Order of Business (24 Apr 2008)

Richard Bruton: Is it intended to proceed with this in September? I know what the history is. I am asking——

Order of Business (24 Apr 2008)

Richard Bruton: I did not get the answer to the question which concerns the ordering of Dáil business. I am entitled to ask that and to get a view as to whether this will be presented in September, as was first promised.

Dublin Bay Development Plan. (23 Apr 2008)

Richard Bruton: Before the Minister of State, Deputy Brendan Smith, leaves the Chamber, I have to say that his explanation that the community care service in Dublin can absorb €6.83 million worth of special programmes for people who could be kept out of hospital, defies any understanding of what is happening in community care in the city. I know he has taken note of what Deputy O'Connor wisely said to...