Results 4,921-4,940 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Order of Business (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: At least I got an honest answer for the second time today from Sinn Féin, whose Deputies believe that they can shout whenever they want to. That is good.

Order of Business (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I appeal to the Deputies opposite to concentrate on what is in the Bill and not to bring in new extraneous matter because there was an interesting debate——

Order of Business (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: The Deputies should allow me to finish.

Order of Business (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: It is not.

Leaders' Questions (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am deeply grateful to the Deputy for not asking all the other questions for which I was prepared. I will answer the question for which I am totally unprepared, which is about what I have done to prevent single party Government. The people of Ireland chose the Government on the last occasion, not me. The people of Ireland will have the opportunity in the coming months to choose another...

Leaders' Questions (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: Just like on the last occasion, I am absolutely confident that they will take a long, hard look at those benches and say "No thanks".

Leaders' Questions (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: Deputy Kenny will not be in a position to put questions to either the Taoiseach or myself after the election not because he will be on this side of the House, but because of other events.

Leaders' Questions (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: People sometimes forget the situation that existed when the Deputy and a number of others around him were sitting at the Cabinet, while Deputy Rabbitte was sitting at the high chair of the Cabinet table as a half Minister.

Leaders' Questions (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: Unemployment was 10.6%——

Leaders' Questions (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: ——and it drove thousands of people to the unemployment exchanges every week. That rate of unemployment toppled governments across western Europe.

Leaders' Questions (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: That is the rate of unemployment and underperformance——

Leaders' Questions (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: If the people of Ireland want a demonstration of how poor a Government consisting of the parties opposite would be, they only have to look at that performance. Arrogance, deceit and incompetence all rolled up in one.

Leaders' Questions (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy raised the question of the achievements of the partners in Government. I remind the Deputy of something before I go on to our achievements. This is a special year.

Leaders' Questions (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: It is the year in which Deputies Kenny and Rabbitte collectively will be 50 years sitting in this House. I have attended meetings throughout the country and asked audiences to name one achievement by either Deputy at any time in those 50 years. Nobody can give me an answer.

Leaders' Questions (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: Not merely are they an underachieving combination but they have no achievements to their name.

Leaders' Questions (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: When asked on RTE radio last Sunday what he could point to in his career in politics that was an achievement for the Irish people, Deputy Kenny said he had improved the St. Patrick's Day parade.

Leaders' Questions (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: If we had to wait 20 years for that, God knows how long we would have to wait for any other achievement.

Leaders' Questions (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am loath to interrupt that babble. It is because I am follically challenged that I can say the Deputy is having a bad hair day.

Leaders' Questions (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: In regard to the specific ethics provision, which I understood the Deputy would raise on the Order of Business, that has been approved by Cabinet and will be brought before the Houses of the Oireachtas.

Leaders' Questions (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: It will be brought forward as soon as may be and the House will have an opportunity to debate it. The Deputies should relax, it is coming.