Results 3,961-3,980 of 7,404 for speaker:Mick Wallace

Other Questions: Foreign Policy (24 Nov 2015)

Mick Wallace: Shannon has been used as a US military air base to facilitate its military intervention in those countries, and it has destroyed them. Over 2 million citizens have been killed, and we are part of it. The Government is content to let this go on. What has this got to do with keeping peace? The Minister states that we are good at peacekeeping. We are not keeping much peace by allowing...

Other Questions: Foreign Policy (24 Nov 2015)

Mick Wallace: They are not sweeping statements. I am simply being accurate.

Other Questions: Foreign Policy (24 Nov 2015)

Mick Wallace: We are facilitating them, but the price is unbelievably disappointing. Will the Minister not admit that what they are doing is destructive and that it has not helped peace? Did he read what the Pope said about it only last week, that the arms industry has just run out of control? The Pope stated what is happening is ludicrous but it is all in the interest of making money. We are...

Other Questions: Foreign Policy (24 Nov 2015)

Mick Wallace: 70. To ask the Minister for Defence if he has considered reviewing our existing policies on defence, with a view to taking a more active role in the promotion of peace and the protection of our neutrality, given the deteriorating situation in the Middle East and the total failure of the Western military intervention in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41185/15]

Other Questions: Foreign Policy (24 Nov 2015)

Mick Wallace: The Minister told us he was not going to lecture foreign countries on how they should best protect their citizens. I was not expecting him to tell President Hollande that it is pretty irrational to be bombing the living daylights out of Raqqa, where there are 500,000 citizens, and that it would not do much to protect the citizens of France. Does he not think, given the failure of all these...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Internal Security Issues (24 Nov 2015)

Mick Wallace: 91. To ask the Minister for Defence given the attacks in Paris in France, if he has had discussions with the Department of Justice and Equality regarding potential threats to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41186/15]

Other Questions: Infrastructure and Capital Investment Programme (19 Nov 2015)

Mick Wallace: The Minister has quoted figures going back decades, but the truth is that since 2009 the level of public investment in infrastructure has fallen by 45%. Research carried out by Michael Taaffe who, I understand, is a member of the Minister's party shows that we will run into trouble if we do not start investing more in infrastructure. The Minister is well aware of the fact that there is a...

Other Questions: Infrastructure and Capital Investment Programme (19 Nov 2015)

Mick Wallace: The Minister has said the Government will prioritise the construction of State housing, but most of the money which he has stated has been earmarked for social housing will still involve social housing being provided by the private sector. The Government is not getting local authorities to build large numbers of social housing units, even though this is absolutely essential. In response...

Other Questions: Infrastructure and Capital Investment Programme (19 Nov 2015)

Mick Wallace: 7. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the research carried out by Unite which found that in order to reach the mean of other European Union states with regard to public expenditure as a percentage of gross domestic product, Ireland would need to increase investment in public infrastructure by approximately €9 billion; the details of any recent...

Other Questions: Infrastructure and Capital Investment Programme (19 Nov 2015)

Mick Wallace: I would like to know the Minister's views on the research carried out by Unite that found that in order to reach the mean average of other EU states with regard to public expenditure as a percentage of GDP, Ireland would need to increase investment in public infrastructure by approximately €9 billion. Ireland's expenditure on public services is currently 16.9% of GDP while the mean in...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Infrastructure and Capital Investment Programme (19 Nov 2015)

Mick Wallace: 20. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform given the well documented importance of public investment in bringing about economic growth, if he has had discussions recently with the Department of Finance concerning the fact that Irish public investment, at approximately 2% of gross domestic product, ranks 26 out of 28 European Union member states; the plans he has to address this...

Housing and Homelessness: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (18 Nov 2015)

Mick Wallace: There are a number of reasons and numerous opinions on why we have a housing crisis. Without a doubt the main problem is the fact that the current and the previous Government stopped building social housing. When the State stopped building social housing, this had a knock-on effect in the private and rental sectors. On top of this, we have serious problems with both of these sectors. ...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2015: Report Stage (18 Nov 2015)

Mick Wallace: I move amendment No. 5:In page 9, between lines 28 and 29, to insert the following: “(2) The sum of the difference between €135 and €140 will only be paid to those already in receipt of social assistance and/or social insurance payment.”. I speak on behalf of Deputy Thomas Pringle who wants to introduce this amendment. His idea is to try to target the increase at...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2015: Report Stage (18 Nov 2015)

Mick Wallace: I agree with Deputy Naughten's amendment. It seems a bit odd that training or education courses would be restricted in any way given that we all realise the all around benefits in that area. I was struck by the Minister of State's reference to manual handling. I had to do manual handling courses in construction and one learned to lift things in a certain way, depending on the length, weight...

Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2015: Report Stage (18 Nov 2015)

Mick Wallace: I move amendment No. 2:In page 9, to delete lines 13 to 20.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: NAMA Loans Sale (18 Nov 2015)

Mick Wallace: 18. To ask the Minister for Finance if it is appropriate for the National Asset Management Agency Project Arrow to be completed, while investigations into the purchase of Project Eagle are ongoing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40307/15]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Real Estate Investment Trusts (18 Nov 2015)

Mick Wallace: 21. To ask the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied with the real estate investment trusts, and their role in the Irish property market, to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40308/15]

Paris Terrorist Attack: Statements (17 Nov 2015)

Mick Wallace: I too extend my sympathy and express solidarity in respect of all those killed in Paris last weekend. Nobody of a rational mind would try to justify what happened. It was beyond horrific. I have a niece who lives in Paris and has three small children. Five people were killed on her street. It was not a great place to be on Friday night. Twice I have been to one of the restaurants where...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: State Pension (Contributory) Eligibility (17 Nov 2015)

Mick Wallace: 80. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she is satisfied that changes in recent years to the State Pension (Contributory) Scheme have not disproportionately penalised those with gaps in their pension contributions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40150/15]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Payments (17 Nov 2015)

Mick Wallace: 88. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she is satisfied that current rent supplement limits are realistic in order to meet the needs of recipients in today's rental market; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40149/15]