Results 29,761-29,780 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government: Motion (14 Jun 2007)

Richard Bruton: The tribunal suggested that an explanation offered during the election — one which influenced many voters and led to the Progressive Democrats saying this was the most marvellous Taoiseach ever and he should be allowed to continue, having just previously said the explanations were partial and did not stand up to scrutiny — does not tally with the explanation offered by the Taoiseach....

Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government: Motion (14 Jun 2007)

Richard Bruton: I have not changed my tune. It is you and your party who are saying to us that we have failed in our duty by not asking questions and leaving it to the tribunal.

Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government: Motion (14 Jun 2007)

Richard Bruton: You entered into Government without resolving this issue and you are now saying we looked into our heart and we are happy——

Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government: Motion (14 Jun 2007)

Richard Bruton: The Ceann Comhairle should bear in mind that it was the Green Party that initiated this attack on Fine Gael after its time for speaking had elapsed.

Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government: Motion (14 Jun 2007)

Richard Bruton: I am pleased the Minister, Deputy Dempsey, has not been given mathematics in addition to his marine and transport responsibilities because he suggested there was an increase in the mandate for the Government. I remind him the Government lost nine seats. Independents and the Green Party have been brought in to prop up the Government.

Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government: Motion (14 Jun 2007)

Richard Bruton: The previous Government did not increase its mandate.

Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government: Motion (14 Jun 2007)

Richard Bruton: I looked at the programme for Government. I was surprised to see that once again we have a commitment on the establishment of a Dublin Transport Authority and the introduction of integrated ticketing. Members may recall we heard about these previously in the Fianna Fáil election manifesto of 2002. They were also suggested by the then Minister for Public Enterprise, Deputy O'Rourke.

Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government: Motion (14 Jun 2007)

Richard Bruton: The truth is that seven years later nothing has been done by the Government. Deputy Sargent finds solace in the fact that promises have been made and that measurements will be taken. Members referred to measurements in the past. We were to have class sizes of 20 and no hospital waiting lists. These were all in previous programmes for Government but nothing happened.

Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government: Motion (14 Jun 2007)

Richard Bruton: This Government will be judged on how it changes the lives of people not the words written in programmes for Government.

Nomination of Taoiseach. (14 Jun 2007)

Richard Bruton: I congratulate the Ceann Comhairle on his appointment. It is a great achievement and I am sure he will fulfil his duties admirably. I propose Deputy Enda Kenny for the position of Taoiseach. In the recent general election, many voted for a complete change of government.

Nomination of Taoiseach. (14 Jun 2007)

Richard Bruton: Some 25% more people voted for candidates who opposed the existing Government than for its supporters.

Nomination of Taoiseach. (14 Jun 2007)

Richard Bruton: Most of those voters did not want to see the same battered vessel or tired crew put back to sea. They did not want to see it patched up and put out with new bunting. They wanted to see a serious change of government, which is what Deputy Kenny would offer as Taoiseach. The past seven years have been a period of unique opportunity. Extraordinary wealth was available to the Government to...

Written Answers — Regulatory Programme: Regulatory Programme (26 Apr 2007)

Richard Bruton: Question 68: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the work he has done to reduce the regulatory burden on SMEs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15559/07]

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (26 Apr 2007)

Richard Bruton: Question 101: To ask the Minister for Finance the amendments proposed by the review group on the motor tax concessions for persons with a disability; the estimated cost of implementing these recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15666/07]

Order of Business (26 Apr 2007)

Richard Bruton: When will we see in the Dáil the promised ethics Bill sponsored by the Department of Finance? We were promised the Bill at least five or six months ago and when the Tánaiste was questioned about it, we were told to relax and that it would definitely be passed before the end of the Dáil session. I would like an undertaking from the Minister for Finance that this legislation will be taken...

Order of Business (26 Apr 2007)

Richard Bruton: The question relates to whether it will be taken in this House.

Order of Business (26 Apr 2007)

Richard Bruton: May we have an undertaking that it will be taken?

Order of Business (26 Apr 2007)

Richard Bruton: No. The framework for health insurance established by the Government has been unravelling in recent months. That unravelling has been punctuated by legislation introduced on an emergency basis and passed without proper debate. Today, another item of legislation is being introduced at the 11th hour and only 25 minutes have been allocated for the debate on it. The legislation to which I...

Written Answers — Anti-Poverty Strategy: Anti-Poverty Strategy (25 Apr 2007)

Richard Bruton: Question 68: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the programmes and policies his Department will introduce to reduce consistent poverty rates among people of working age with reference to high level goal 2 of his Department's annual output statement; the target level to which he aims to reduce consistent poverty of this age group; and if he will make a statement on the matter....

Departmental Surveys. (25 Apr 2007)

Richard Bruton: Question 39: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the details of any customer service survey which his Department conducted in 2006 or to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15312/07]