Results 501-520 of 839 for speaker:Michael Kennedy

Confidence in Government: Motion (resumed) (10 Jun 2009)

Michael Kennedy: I would like to hear from any member of the Opposition who considers that sustainable. We have not heard their proposal. We need honesty from the Opposition on the economic issue.

Confidence in Government: Motion (resumed) (10 Jun 2009)

Michael Kennedy: Fine Gael and Labour must come out with honest statements rather than statements that try to confuse the public. Like all other Members, I spent the past five months canvassing and I am delighted to report that Fianna Fáil did not lose any seats in my area. I feel I played some part in that, just as Deputy O'Rourke did in her area. The one thing I found galling during the campaign was...

Confidence in Government: Motion (resumed) (10 Jun 2009)

Michael Kennedy: Fine Gael and Labour are perpetuating the myth that the Government is doing nothing.

Confidence in Government: Motion (resumed) (10 Jun 2009)

Michael Kennedy: Reference was made to the former leader of Fine Gael, Alan Dukes. If Fine Gael had listened to what he had to say yesterday at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service and if it had listened to him on radio this morning, they would have heard him say he fully supports the Government's actions on Anglo Irish Bank and does not believe, as Fine Gael suggests - a...

Confidence in Government: Motion (resumed) (10 Jun 2009)

Michael Kennedy: We heard from our new Deputy, George Lee. I congratulate him and Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan on their election to the Dáil. Deputy Lee spoke for 20 minutes earlier today, but did not offer any solution to the problem. He had plenty of criticisms to make, which is not unusual for him. We have been hearing that from him for years on RTE. He did not offer even one solution as to how to get...

Confidence in Government: Motion (resumed) (10 Jun 2009)

Michael Kennedy: The people elected us for five years. They elected the Government for five years and that is what we will have. I have full confidence in the Government.

Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2009)

Michael Kennedy: Tá áthas orm labhairt ar an Bhille tábhachtach seo. I welcome the opportunity to contribute on the topic of the new Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Bill. As every Deputy in the House is aware, there is hardly a village in the country that has not been affected to some extent by drugs. I welcome the fact that all Deputies whose contributions I have heard, and, probably, all other...

Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2009)

Michael Kennedy: We would hope so. As I recall from my own experience, our society has always had a problem with underage drinking, although it may be worse now than ever before. What is different from the past is that drugs are now part of many young people's lives. Much of this comes down to parental control and supervision. It is particularly regrettable that some young people who take drugs go on to...

Written Answers — Health Service Staff: Health Service Staff (22 Apr 2009)

Michael Kennedy: Question 347: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the relationship between her Department and An Bord Altranais, particularly in respect of employment contracts, their conditions and their non-renewal; the role, financially, her Department and the Health Service Executive has in funding same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15892/09]

Written Answers — National Treatment Purchase Fund: National Treatment Purchase Fund (8 Apr 2009)

Michael Kennedy: Question 17: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on the offer of orthopaedic services under the National Treatment Purchase Fund from the Sports Surgery Clinic in Santry, Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14834/09]

Leaders' Questions (8 Apr 2009)

Michael Kennedy: Why does the Deputy not name the Galway tent people?

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (24 Mar 2009)

Michael Kennedy: Question 789: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding the application by a council (details supplied) for a grant in relation to the renovation of their community centre, which has been approved by Pobal and is with his Department for consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12055/09]

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (24 Mar 2009)

Michael Kennedy: Question 1074: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when the special education unit in St Patrick's College, Drumcondra, Dublin will issue their report in the review of special schools and special classes. [11743/09]

Investment of the National Pensions Reserve Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (4 Mar 2009)

Michael Kennedy: This is important and necessary legislation. Anyone who suggests we should allow bank failures in this country is living in cloud cuckoo land. The savings of our pensioners, the money of small and big businesses, and the money of local authorities, etc., demand that we have a proper banking system in the national interest and for economic reasons. Anyone who suggests the Government had an...

Public Finances: Motion (3 Mar 2009)

Michael Kennedy: ——that we need banks to operate in a normal commercial fashion. We cannot allow them to sink, as Fine Gael and the Labour Party seem to be suggesting. In terms of the Government's plan, the Taoiseach reiterated today that the five-year plan is to reduce debt from 9.5% to 3% of GDP. The proposals to make savings of €3 billion, together with the €2 billion set out last week, represent...

Public Finances: Motion (3 Mar 2009)

Michael Kennedy: Let us have an honest debate. The Government is willing to put forward its proposals.

Public Finances: Motion (3 Mar 2009)

Michael Kennedy: The Deputy should listen to what he is told.

Public Finances: Motion (3 Mar 2009)

Michael Kennedy: I reiterate that the Government's plan is to reduce debt from 9.5% to 3% of GDP in the course of the next five years. We have already undertaken to make savings of €5 billion this year. I expect that figure will increase in light of proposals to be brought forward by the Government at the end of the month. What has the Opposition to offer? What proposals has it brought forward setting...

Public Finances: Motion (3 Mar 2009)

Michael Kennedy: Where are the detailed proposals on income taxation? We want a frank debate. The public expects all political parties to set out their proposals. The days of waffling on without offering any solutions are over.

Public Finances: Motion (3 Mar 2009)

Michael Kennedy: The Opposition has waffled in recent weeks. Now it is time for it to bring forward solutions. We must make clear to the public the alternatives that exist. We will tell the people clearly what, in our view, must be done.