Results 601-620 of 839 for speaker:Michael Kennedy

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Nov 2008)

Michael Kennedy: The media has commented on the Opposition leaders' failure to agree on economic policies. One headline over an eminent journalist's article stated, "Kenny's call for pay freeze attacked by Labour". I am not passing any personal judgment on this.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Nov 2008)

Michael Kennedy: The media reports which Fine Gael keeps quoting are saying its remedies for the economic problems are at variance with those of the Labour Party.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Nov 2008)

Michael Kennedy: The British Labour Government's budget has led to headlines such as, "Labour bets all on UK stimulus packages". Betting all is like going into the bookies and putting one's shirt on a horse.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Nov 2008)

Michael Kennedy: The people would not take Fine Gael's and I am sure the Deputy will find that out pretty smartly. The people do not believe Fine Gael has any remedies.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Nov 2008)

Michael Kennedy: I believe the Taoiseach, the Minister for Finance and the Government have the right approach to these economic problems. They have taken decisive action with the banks and have the right methods to take advantage of the upturn in a few years' time.

Small and Medium Enterprises: Motion (Resumed) (26 Nov 2008)

Michael Kennedy: I want to take the opportunity to address a few issues Deputy Varadkar raised last night. I want to reprimand the Deputy for his remarks in labelling the Tánaiste and the National Consumer Agency as saboteurs. If there are saboteurs in the Oireachtas, they are on the other side of this House.

Small and Medium Enterprises: Motion (Resumed) (26 Nov 2008)

Michael Kennedy: Deputy Varadkar's comments on the recent IDA survey were not constructive and were deliberately set out to misrepresent the facts in the survey, which aimed to ascertain whether IDA clients would, if given the opportunity, decide to invest in Ireland again. Deputy Varadkar stressed that according to the survey 27% of foreign companies would locate themselves in the UK or elsewhere in western...

Small and Medium Enterprises: Motion (Resumed) (26 Nov 2008)

Michael Kennedy: Regarding public servants' travel expenses, I share the view that public funds should be used only for stated purposes. Deputy Varadkar is very quick to criticise but I remember a time when his attendance at a conference in Malaysia was the subject of a damning article in his local paper, The Community Voice. The trip cost €3,000 then, probably €5,000 in today's terms, and the...

Small and Medium Enterprises: Motion (Resumed) (26 Nov 2008)

Michael Kennedy: My point is that Deputy Varadkar is quick to piously dish out his criticism, but less amenable to taking it. Similarly, he is more than willing to manipulate statistics and facts to suit his own agenda.

Small and Medium Enterprises: Motion (Resumed) (26 Nov 2008)

Michael Kennedy: A survey by Fingal County Council — which is in my and Deputy Varadkar's constituencies — indicated people there are more optimistic about their future and the local economy than they are about the national economy. The Fingal business and employment survey 2008 interviewed businesses across the county of Fingal and I am delighted to say these businesses have responded very positively...

Sports Capital Programme. (19 Nov 2008)

Michael Kennedy: The Deputy should not dig a hole.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2008)

Michael Kennedy: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to speak on the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill. I am delighted my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Curran is here. I congratulate him on all the work he is doing with the disadvantaged people in our society. Speaking earlier, my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, said it is always important to look...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2008)

Michael Kennedy: They were disingenuous, given that the social welfare budget is €19.6 billion, a substantial increase on last year. The least the Opposition Members might have done is acknowledge that fact. We hear much from them on other issues where there is some reduction in spending.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2008)

Michael Kennedy: It is a fact, and of course we acknowledge it. Given the reality of our finances — tax income is down at least €6.5 billion this year and next year we will face a deficit of €13 billion to keep our economy afloat and look after the less well off in society — the Opposition should acknowledge that the Government is doing a good job. Regarding the Bill, the minimum the Opposition...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2008)

Michael Kennedy: Some €2.5 billion extra has been provided in this year's budget. Deputy Naughten conveniently ignores this, but in time he may reflect on it. The sum of €2.5 billion is a significant amount of money considering Fine Gael wants to borrow an extra €4 billion to fund its interpretation of how the country should be run. We are providing €2.5 billion extra in social welfare while the...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2008)

Michael Kennedy: Despite being strapped for cash and under financial pressure, the Government continues to provide for the less well off in our society. That is what Fianna Fáil and its partners in Government are about. This Bill will formalise increases across the social welfare sector. The budget is €19.6 billion, some 15% above the 2008 figure. The increases in the Bill are above inflation and will...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2008)

Michael Kennedy: Deputy Burton's Government is on record as giving £1.50.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2008)

Michael Kennedy: I will not remind Deputy Burton of VAT on children's shoes. In these unstable times, these people fall victim to those in Opposition and the media who cast the darkest light on their future. Older people panic. They rely most on our social welfare system and have difficulty fending for themselves. It is, therefore, incumbent on us to look after them. The Government is well aware of this...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2008)

Michael Kennedy: Not one of them said he or she was unhappy with their €7 increase. They were all very satisfied.

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2008)

Michael Kennedy: They are not losing the medical card. As the Deputy knows, we have looked after the 95% of people who need it.