Results 4,161-4,180 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: Time is very short in the context of the budget so these discussions will be crucial.

Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: It is important to reiterate what the Taoiseach said here yesterday, which is that the proposals that have emerged from the discussions thus far were considered by the Government this week. The Taoiseach indicated to the unions that, in their current form, they did not provide a basis for the Government to confirm that it would not consider other options to effect those necessary savings.

Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: At that time the public service unions responded by indicating that they wished to develop their proposals. We very much welcome that and in that context the planned day of industrial action for today was postponed. The Government will consider any further proposals emerging from these discussions. I want to make it very clear that a basis for agreement will only exist if the scale of the...

Written Answers — Insurance Industry: Insurance Industry (3 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: Financial services including the insurance sector is a policy matter for my colleague, the Minister for Finance and I would refer the Deputy in particular to the Minister's response to a PQ on the 16th September 2009.

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (3 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: Enterprise Ireland's engagement with the retail sector is limited, as retailing is not an eligible sector that Enterprise Ireland can provide support to under the Industrial Development (Services Industries) Order 2003. Companies in the retail sector that engage in one of the eligible activities set out in the Order, and currently generate or intend to generate exports from the eligible...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (3 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: Public procurement policy is primarily a matter for my colleagues Brian Lenihan TD., Minister for Finance, who has responsibility for the National Public Procurement Policy Unit and also Martin Mansergh TD., Minister of State who has responsibility for the National Public Procurement Operations Unit in the OPW. I have received correspondence from Irish businesses regarding their concerns...

Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: This legislation consolidates onshore and offshore planning to do exactly what Deputy Higgins has spoken of.

Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: When I was there-----

Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: -----we had several functions dealt with under statutory instrument. The administrative functions have now been finalised. It was clearly the legal view that new legislation had to be put through the House-----

Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: -----in the context of ensuring that we have proper offshore and onshore planning. This is a sensible way in dealing with-----

Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: -----the absolute necessity of ensuring that we have the opportunities that should be afforded to us, for example, in the context of energy.

Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: This is very much streamlining the planning process which will be of significant benefit to the people at large.

Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: Unfortunately, people do not seem to hear what we have been reiterating ad infinitum, which is that there will be a €4 billion adjustment in the context of the budget on Wednesday next. As a former Minister, the Leader of the Opposition is fully aware that all matters during the preparation of a budget are for discussion among Cabinet Ministers. They are not matters for discussion on the...

Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: Those final decisions will be made by the Government and we will be advised of them in the budget on Wednesday.

Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The Government has indicated that the adjustment will be €4 billion. Unlike Deputy Kenny, who wishes to dictate and determine-----

Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: This Government wants to obtain an effective and efficient public service wherein we need change.

Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The methods by which that change can be achieved must be workable and permanent, and must participate as part of our financial adjustment. Unlike the Deputy, we are prepared to listen to what other people have to say in the context of bringing matters to finality. Following on from the discussions the Taoiseach had on Tuesday, the unions indicated that they would consider further options....

Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The Deputy is standing up, so I will sit down.

Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: We can carry on with this farce all day if the Deputies want to.

Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The Taoiseach indicated that what was brought forward by the unions on Tuesday was inadequate. The unions indicated that they wished to revise and reconsider their proposals and bring them back to the Government. There are ongoing discussions today, so let us await the outcome. As the Taoiseach has said categorically, at the end of the day the Government will make a decision on the basis...