Results 521-540 of 839 for speaker:Michael Kennedy

Public Finances: Motion (3 Mar 2009)

Michael Kennedy: I look forward to the proposals from Fine Gael and the Labour Party. The latter has offered absolutely no solutions thus far. The media have used the word "waffle" in reference to its party leader and its spokesperson on finance. I hope Deputy Burton will show us how the State can save €18 billion or €20 billion.

Public Finances: Motion (3 Mar 2009)

Michael Kennedy: And he was.

Public Finances: Motion (3 Mar 2009)

Michael Kennedy: Some 7,000 people attended, ten times more than were at the Labour Party Ard-Fheis.

Public Finances: Motion (3 Mar 2009)

Michael Kennedy: I was quoting what was said about Deputy Burton and the Labour Party leader.

Public Finances: Motion (3 Mar 2009)

Michael Kennedy: It would be welcome.

Public Finances: Motion (3 Mar 2009)

Michael Kennedy: I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak. I emerged from our parliamentary party meeting when Deputy O'Dowd was speaking and someone told me he made reference to Fianna Fáil backbenchers being cowards.

Public Finances: Motion (3 Mar 2009)

Michael Kennedy: No one in Fianna Fáil is a coward and certainly not north Dublin Fianna Fáil backbenchers.

Public Finances: Motion (3 Mar 2009)

Michael Kennedy: We are courageous enough to make decisions in this country's interest and——

Public Finances: Motion (3 Mar 2009)

Michael Kennedy: ——we are doing so. Only quite recently, the Government introduced the levy, which Fine Gael saw fit to ignore and to vote against.

Public Finances: Motion (3 Mar 2009)

Michael Kennedy: Having considered the motion you tabled tonight, Fine Gael has not a single specific proposal to make other then generalised comments.

Public Finances: Motion (3 Mar 2009)

Michael Kennedy: I am doing so. Fine Gael has not made a single specific proposal.

Public Finances: Motion (3 Mar 2009)

Michael Kennedy: Fine Gael Members have never costed any of their pious statements. They never back them up with a single cent, much less the €16.5 billion and more, after today's Exchequer figures, that this country must save.

Public Finances: Motion (3 Mar 2009)

Michael Kennedy: Fine Gael Members will have credibility after outlining where they intend to save €18 billion. The same is true for the Labour Party. Not alone does it not cost anything, it does not even have proposals. Although Fine Gael sometimes waffles on about some proposals, it does not cost them and it is time it was honest with the public. It should tell the people where it will save this...

Public Finances: Motion (3 Mar 2009)

Michael Kennedy: It has not done so and if it believes in honesty and integrity, its Members should have a frank and open debate in which they tell the public——

Public Finances: Motion (3 Mar 2009)

Michael Kennedy: I will come to them. The Government has the ideas. Although Fine Gael has tabled a motion today——

Public Finances: Motion (3 Mar 2009)

Michael Kennedy: —— it contained neither a single specific proposal nor a costing. Today, the Taoiseach clearly told the House that the Government would be introducing further measures by the end of this month. When that time comes, Fine Gael should, for once this session, deal realistically with the issues, rather than waffling on.

Public Finances: Motion (3 Mar 2009)

Michael Kennedy: The Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, has informed Opposition Members they have been invited to see the full financial figures tomorrow. Their spokespersons already have had a briefing on the banking issue. However, having received all the facts and figures, the Opposition chose not alone to ignore them but to vote against it.

Public Finances: Motion (3 Mar 2009)

Michael Kennedy: In a situation in which the country needs a proper banking system——

Public Finances: Motion (3 Mar 2009)

Michael Kennedy: —— the Government brought forward realistic programmes in respect of guaranteeing deposits and re-capitalising the banks.

Public Finances: Motion (3 Mar 2009)

Michael Kennedy: Fine Gael tries to assert it is acting in the national interest when it would allow our banks to sink.