Results 34,561-34,580 of 35,959 for speaker:Pearse Doherty

Water and Sewerage Services (16 Jun 2011)

Pearse Doherty: We told the Government to do it with Anglo Irish Bank and got the same response, but now it is doing it.

Order of Business (16 Jun 2011)

Pearse Doherty: I have two questions about promised legislation. With regard to burden-sharing by senior bondholders, yesterday the Fianna Fáil Party was briefing heavily on RTE and so on that legislation had been passed to impose losses on senior bondholders. We know that is not the case, because my amendments to the Bill last December were not accepted. Is it the intention of this Government to...

Order of Business (16 Jun 2011)

Pearse Doherty: It is promised legislation in the programme for Government, and it has also been promised outside the House. Does legislation need to be passed by this House to give effect to the commitment in the programme for Government to ensure the pension entitlement for retiring Deputies will not begin until they reach the national retirement age? As the Minister is well aware, TDs elected before 2004...

Order of Business (16 Jun 2011)

Pearse Doherty: Is legislation required to give effect to that commitment, which is in the programme for Government?

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (15 Jun 2011)

Pearse Doherty: Question 383: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the relationship between the State and the ESB with regard to the operation of the salmon hatchery at Ballyshannon, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15530/11]

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (15 Jun 2011)

Pearse Doherty: Question 384: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will consider permitting the catching of the hatchery fin-clipped salmon released as hatchery-reared smolts from the salmon hatchery at Ballyshannon, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15531/11]

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (15 Jun 2011)

Pearse Doherty: Question 490: To ask the Minister for Defence when paperwork requested from him will be sent to the State pension office regarding an application for State contributory pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal. [15121/11]

Pension Provisions (15 Jun 2011)

Pearse Doherty: Question 39: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the views expressed by the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament that any raising of the pension age must be done on a voluntary basis only; and if she will abandon her plans to mandatorily raise the pension age. [15335/11]

Written Answers — Jobs Initiative: Jobs Initiative (9 Jun 2011)

Pearse Doherty: Question 19: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he is actively considering a €500 million jobs fund. [14728/11]

European Space Programme (9 Jun 2011)

Pearse Doherty: Question 7: To ask the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation if he is committing any funding to the European Space Programme; and the cost of such funding to the State per year since such funding commenced. [14246/11]

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Pearse Doherty: We have thrashed out this Bill over the past couple of hours. Section 4 imposes the pension levy which will have an effect on those holding pensions. We have discussed the issue whereby the likes of Seán FitzPatrick are being exempted from this legislation. There is a cost-neutral alternative, however, in the form of discretionary tax reliefs at the lower rate of tax. These would...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Pearse Doherty: Like Deputy Healy, I have stated previously that I am opposed to funding the jobs initiative through the pension levy and I share some of the concerns expressed by Deputy Broughan. Previously, Members have argued about linking the pension levy to the jobs initiatives that have been announced and the measures giving effect to them that are being enacted in this Bill. Putting this to one...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Pearse Doherty: For the benefit of the debate, I have not argued that the 0.6% levy would constitute a disincentive to investment in pensions.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Pearse Doherty: It is another levy.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Pearse Doherty: No.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Pearse Doherty: There is very little to add what has been said because Deputy Seán Fleming has made the argument very well. It is worth listening to what he said. His party has experienced the wrath of the public for similar exemptions, similar mistakes in the past, as he acknowledged. This is a big mistake the Government is about to make. I agree with the Deputy that many people are unaware of why...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Pearse Doherty: Yes, I was wrong about that but there are ways to do this. I understand today is the publishing date for the Finance (No. 3) Bill. We can amend the legislation again. That finance Bill will go through this House in about two weeks time. There is a need for at least a statement, if not an amendment today, to the effect that it is the Government's intention within days to include those high...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Pearse Doherty: No. The Minister claims he cannot accept it. Without labouring the issue, it is a central question pertaining to the fairness of the legislation. I take it from the Minister's comments that there are two reasons for his inability to accept the amendment. It is not that he cannot accept it - he will not accept it. First, the imputed tax was increased in January. Second, it would be...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Pearse Doherty: Maybe we got off to a bad start on Committee Stage. With respect, I am not making any allegations against the Minister or the Government and I ask him to clarify what he means by that statement. We are seeking information and I acknowledge he is imparting information here in a genuine and open way. However, it was he who stated that the purpose of the review was not to ascertain how many...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Pearse Doherty: That is not what the Minister stated earlier and I welcome the clarification. Would he consider accepting an amendment on Report Stage which would link any reversal of these initiatives, particularly in VAT because it involves €350 million and is the big ticket item? Would he consider accepting an amendment on Report State that would link the pension levy and a reversal of the reduction...