Results 661-680 of 1,981 for speaker:Conor Lenihan

Job Losses. (23 Apr 2009)

Conor Lenihan: The Minister would like to thank Deputy McGinley for raising this important issue today. He would like to emphasise that the loss of any jobs in any Gaeltacht industry is a cause of concern for him and for Údarás na Gaeltachta, and that he can understand the Deputy's concern. Both the Minister and Údarás na Gaeltachta very much regret the decision taken by Largo Foods Exports Limited to...

Job Losses. (23 Apr 2009)

Conor Lenihan: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter on the Adjournment. On 12 February SR Technics announced that it would close its operation at Dublin Airport and enter into consultation with the trade unions representing the 1,135 employees at the facility. The company cited the recent loss of major contracts from primary load customers in Dublin, current business and economic forecasts, as well...

Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) (8 Apr 2009)

Conor Lenihan: Our hospitality sector might not survive without the non-Irish workers who comprise 40% of the staff in the hotel sector. There is a tendency during recessions to be constantly negative about our prospects as a nation. A little reported event occurred this week when the UK attempted to sell Government bonds worth £1.5 billion to the international markets. There were no takers for the...

Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) (8 Apr 2009)

Conor Lenihan: I do not want to appear to be picking on the Labour Party, as some of the Fine Gael Members seem to be making out here.

Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) (8 Apr 2009)

Conor Lenihan: In fairness to Fine Gael, I acknowledge that they do recognise the seriousness of the situation we are in.

Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) (8 Apr 2009)

Conor Lenihan: We have adopted some of their ideas. Broadly speaking, the approach of attacking the structural deficit is one that is shared by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, certainly from the pronouncements by their spokesman. One of the funniest politically correct requests in this House was made by Deputy Ruairí Quinn, who was once referred to as Ho Chi Quinn by the former Tánaiste, John Wilson.

Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) (8 Apr 2009)

Conor Lenihan: He asked Fianna Fáil to apologise for the last ten years of growth and boom in the country.

Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) (8 Apr 2009)

Conor Lenihan: That is a rather odd request to make. It does not do much for them or for politics in this country that people are expected to apologise for a period of unprecedented growth.

Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) (8 Apr 2009)

Conor Lenihan: At the end of the day, Fianna Fáil did not cause the international recession or the domestic recession.

Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) (8 Apr 2009)

Conor Lenihan: Fianna Fáil did not cause the international recession. It is an important fact, which may be inconvenient for some of the Members opposite, but, nonetheless, it has to be stated on this occasion.

Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) (8 Apr 2009)

Conor Lenihan: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for affording us the opportunity to speak on this particular resolution. It is important to say at the outset that the Taoiseach and the Government have been commendably frank in this debate and throughout the crisis besetting this country since the international economy tipped into recession. We have tried to be frank, open and honest with the public and that is...

Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) (8 Apr 2009)

Conor Lenihan: -----Neil Kinnock and the late John Smith were reforming that party, bringing it into what was then the 20th century.

Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) (8 Apr 2009)

Conor Lenihan: All the reform that occurred in the social democratic movement in Britain and right across Europe has simply not happened in the Irish Labour Party. It appears from some of its pronouncements in this and other debates in this House that its members are still cheerleaders for State ownership and big union power, even though all of the mainstream social democratic movements in the UK and...

Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) (8 Apr 2009)

Conor Lenihan: It was not intended to be disparaging. I know George Lee very well.

Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) (8 Apr 2009)

Conor Lenihan: It was a light-hearted comment about one of our best known commentators, who, as many have said outside the House as well, sometimes has a look of relish about him when he reports on catastrophe. That is, perhaps, a well known fact I would have thought for many people. The important point about this budget is that it sets out a balance between our borrowing requirements, the need for...

Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) (8 Apr 2009)

Conor Lenihan: -----it is not over yet. There will be another budget before the end of the year. We will have to move, in a very programmed and planned manner, towards a situation where we get our costs under control. We have the time and space to do this between now and 2013. Thankfully, the European Commission has, under the Growth and Stability Pact and in accordance with the rules governing how we...

Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) (8 Apr 2009)

Conor Lenihan: It has formally given us until 2013 to bring our deficit back into line with the 3% guideline figure that is required. The ECB and its president in particular, Mr. Jean-Claude Trichet, have been enormously supportive. All of us, certainly, in the main parties, Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Labour, are of one voice on this matter - without the European Central Bank and the input, influence and...

Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) (8 Apr 2009)

Conor Lenihan: Their competitive offer to the electorate attempted to match ours at the very least. I am not surprised that they did not win the election, however.

Financial Resolution No. 11: General (Resumed) (8 Apr 2009)

Conor Lenihan: The approach of the Government to the structural deficit is critical. Certain areas of the tax yield have been reduced primarily because of our dependence on property and construction related transactions. Other substantial structural issues within the economy are creating deficits that must now be repaired if we are to be a more seaworthy ship when the good times return. The Minister has...

Written Answers — Ministerial Councils: Ministerial Councils (7 Apr 2009)

Conor Lenihan: I am currently reviewing the structure of the proposed Ministerial Council on Integration and I will make an announcement as soon as possible.