Results 421-430 of 430 for 5 million speaker:Leo Varadkar

Fuel Poverty: Motion (12 Oct 2010)

Leo Varadkar: ...his Department has done in terms of studying these matters, that Department, through Forfás, indicated that the most recent statistics show that average energy prices for high users in Ireland are 5% higher than the average for the euro area. For SMEs, the most recent data show the gap is 15%. The situation has improved in this regard but remains unsatisfactory. All these figures are...

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (2 Jun 2010)

Leo Varadkar: The Bill is simple; it proposes to reduce all Government charges by 5% and calls on Government regulators to reduce their prices and give relief to consumers and business. As Deputy Doyle mentioned, this graph says it all. I know I am not supposed to use props but perhaps the Leas-Cheann Comhairle will allow me to do on this one occasion. This shows the extent to which prices have fallen...

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2010: Second Stage (1 Jun 2010)

Leo Varadkar: ...taken to reduce the deficit, but there has been an inadequate response to the crisis in the real economy, which is a crisis of unemployment and competitiveness. I note the announcement today of 6,500 training schemes, which is welcome, but it is a drop in the ocean in the context of more than 400,000 people signing on the dole. Fine Gael believes that what is required from Government is a...

Unemployment: Motion (23 Feb 2010)

Leo Varadkar: ...ago, with great regret, the resignation of Deputy Sargent as Minister of State. However, politics is not about personalities and individuals or at least it should not be. Politics is about the 4.5 million citizens of this country. This evening in particular we wish to focus on the 437,000 people on the live register and the approximately 85,000 young people who are signing on. The...

Labour Services (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (14 Oct 2009)

Leo Varadkar: ...and continues to defend him. We must also ask about the role of the Minister for Finance. In response to a parliamentary question put down by me specifically asking about the very generous €1.1 million retirement package given to Mr. Molloy, the Minister for Finance stated: "I was advised orally by my officials about the final package and having confirmed that it was within the...

Industrial Development Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Second Stage (26 Mar 2009)

Leo Varadkar: ..., this raises questions as to the Government's intentions for Shannon Development as its enterprise and other functions are removed. Section 3 relates to the raising of limits on grants from €5 million to €7.5 million without Government approval. As time goes on it will be necessary to raise thresholds. Even in a period of deflation it may be necessary to raise thresholds. It seems...

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (16 Oct 2008)

Leo Varadkar: ...prudent steps were taken but, in the main, the budgets of the past four years were imprudent. Had they been prudent and had spending been kept under control, increasing at a rate of no more than 5% or 6% per year, we would not have half the deficit we have today. There are one or two good points in the budget that should be acknowledged. The increase for the schools building programme is...

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Leo Varadkar: ...duty. The public finances were appallingly mismanaged, even as recently as in the last budget. At a time when everyone understood that the economy was slowing and when growth was predicted at 4-5%, even though it now looks like there will be no growth, the then Minister for Finance decided to increase public spending by 10%. Anybody can understand that this is no way to run an economy....

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (8 May 2008)

Leo Varadkar: Question 95: To ask the Minister for Finance the estimate of the revenue that would be gained by restoring the residential property tax and applying it to residential properties, rental and homes, over a threshold of €3 million, €4 million and €5 million; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17395/08]

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2007)

Leo Varadkar: ...the public finances, the worst in the history of the State. A €2.3 billion Exchequer surplus has been transformed into a €4.9 billion deficit. The Minister expects this deficit to rise to €5.8 billion in 2009, equivalent to more than €5,000 in borrowings for every family in the State. Over the past three years Deputy Cowen has ridden the roller-coaster of economic growth in...