Results 3,801-3,820 of 7,404 for speaker:Mick Wallace

Topical Issue Debate: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (19 Jan 2016)

Mick Wallace: I too have serious concerns about surveillance in Ireland. We have not had much assurance in the past couple of years. We do not measure up to international best practice and this is an excellent opportunity to address many of the issues and concerns people now have in this area. I found it interesting that the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors was so eager to jump all over GSOC...

Topical Issue Debate: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (19 Jan 2016)

Mick Wallace: In December 2014 the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, stated there was no question of mass surveillance being carried out in Ireland. She went on to say, when I raised the matter in the House, that the implications of the reports were that it was happening within the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom. However, she also said: It is very clear that every country...

European Council: Statements (19 Jan 2016)

Mick Wallace: I, too, am concerned about recent events in Europe. During the lifetime of this Dáil, we have argued with our Government that it would be good to put a lot more effort into working for peace and taking a neutral position, rather than taking sides in wars and facilitating the American war machine. Some years ago, Europe had a more neutral position in terms of what was happening...

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2016)

Mick Wallace: Thank you, a Cheann Comhairle.

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2016)

Mick Wallace: Last night's horrific programme has once again highlighted the Taoiseach's incredible failure to deal with the housing problem. For him to blame the last Government, after he has been in office for five years, beggars belief. I am shocked that the Taoiseach is so out of touch with what is happening. I can honestly say that of all the things that have happened in the past five years, his...

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2016)

Mick Wallace: NAMA admitted that it is obliged to sell on the basis that they are commercial ventures designed to maximise the return to the Irish taxpayer on NAMA's secured assets. This will not deal with the housing crisis, however.

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2016)

Mick Wallace: Will the Taoiseach change tack and put 10,000 of those units into social housing? It would make an incredible difference. If he were to do so, it would be the most dramatic thing that has been done for the housing problem in Ireland in the past five years.

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2016)

Mick Wallace: The Taoiseach says that he cannot provide houses overnight and he is right but he could have provided them in five years. He had five years to do it but he has not done so. The Taoiseach is talking about local authorities that did not take up units offered to them by NAMA. Has it dawned on him that those units were the most unsuitable on the island of Ireland?

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2016)

Mick Wallace: The attractive units that should have been going to social housing were sold to US investment funds at half the price it cost to build them. Why did this Government allow NAMA to sell units for half the price it cost to build them? That does not make any sense to me. One may ask how does one know the price of this or that but there is a value on everything.

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2016)

Mick Wallace: The value is the cost of putting it there on a given day. NAMA has on a regular basis sold stuff for half the price it cost to build it. US investment funds-----

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2016)

Mick Wallace: Can the Taoiseach explain why NAMA chose to sell stock of residential units for half what it cost to build them? The Taoiseach said he could not have produced units overnight. He could not have done so but he could have produced them over five years. These were units that were built ready to use. He was able to take Westport House out of NAMA. People were able to buy their way out of...

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2016)

Mick Wallace: I do not understand why he did not. They were already built and he would not have had to wait for them to be built. Instead they were given away for half what it cost to build them. Will the Taoiseach please explain that to me?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Office of Government Procurement (19 Jan 2016)

Mick Wallace: We will certainly take up that offer. The Minister referred to the restrictions of European law. Recently, the European Commission ruled that the State wrongly excluded small and medium-sized enterprises from competing for the contracts to provide Ireland's new postcodes by imposing a turnover limit on companies eligible to tender for the project. Gary Delaney, the chief executive officer...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Office of Government Procurement (19 Jan 2016)

Mick Wallace: 51. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform ,with regard to the Office of Public Procurement, if products can be added to existing contracts without being subject to the tendering process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1945/16]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Office of Government Procurement (19 Jan 2016)

Mick Wallace: In the 2011 programme for Government, the Government promised to reform public procurement to become a tool to support innovative Irish firms and allow greater access to Irish small and medium-sized businesses. I accept that the establishment of the Office of Government Procurement and the first chief procurement officer in 2013 was a positive step. Does the Minister not think that much...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Office of Government Procurement (19 Jan 2016)

Mick Wallace: The Minister knows he will top the poll in Wexford. The Minister's 66% of public expenditure going to SMEs is a bit skewed in the sense that 97% of Ireland's 200,000 businesses have 50 employees or fewer and 84% of them having fewer than ten. The question arose from a business in Wexford town that both of us know. Jim Wallace the tailor contacted me to let me know that he is finding it...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Procurement Contracts (19 Jan 2016)

Mick Wallace: 67. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform with regard to the Office of Public Procurement, if the current holder of a contract who is excluded from the new tender because of the quality of a sample has a right to appeal the decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1944/16]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes (19 Jan 2016)

Mick Wallace: 172. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his response to the ongoing flooding and in County Wexford in particular; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2002/16]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes (19 Jan 2016)

Mick Wallace: 173. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will introduce a grant scheme for flood relief and prevention measures for households and businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2003/16]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Services Investment (19 Jan 2016)

Mick Wallace: 174. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he is satisfied with the level of investment in public services here, given our standing in relation to the rest of the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2004/16]