Results 681-700 of 6,295 for speaker:Michael D'Arcy

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Enrolments (31 Jan 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: I will ask the Minister to meet the group in question.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Army Barracks Closures (31 Jan 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: I thank Senator Wilson for providing an opportunity to clarify the current position in respect of the former Dún Uí Neill Army barracks in Cavan town. In March 2012, Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board, CMETB, acquired the former Dún Uí Neill Army barracks with a view to refurbishment and adaptations of the site and buildings which would provide an...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Enrolments (31 Jan 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: I thank the Senator for raising this matter. It gives me the opportunity to set out to Seanad Éireann the position with regard to the new post-primary school to be established in 2020 to serve the Dublin 6, Clonskeagh and Dublin 6W school planning areas. To plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data the Department of Education and Skills divides the country...

National Surplus (Reserve Fund for Exceptional Contingencies) Bill 2018: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: As I said earlier - I did not sugarcoat it - it could be permitted in a severe economic shock. We do not know what the next economic shock will be. The book was written during the crisis. This time it is different. It is always different. There is just a different spin or view on it. Will it be the banks or will it be something else? I do not know what the economic shock could be. It...

National Surplus (Reserve Fund for Exceptional Contingencies) Bill 2018: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: It was not as a result of the banking crisis. It was as a result of the collapse of the tax take.

National Surplus (Reserve Fund for Exceptional Contingencies) Bill 2018: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: We were, on average, short by €15 billion per year for a decade. That is why the current level of indebtedness is as high as it is. It was not because of the banking crisis.

National Surplus (Reserve Fund for Exceptional Contingencies) Bill 2018: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: The crisis was a result of the collapse of the tax take and over-reliance on VAT and excise. We kept spending. The Sinn Féin Deputies are encouraging us to keep spending and that this time will be different. That is Sinn Féin's policy: tax, spend, destroy the economy, have a good time, and we will spend the next decade trying to tidy up afterwards.

National Surplus (Reserve Fund for Exceptional Contingencies) Bill 2018: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: It has been a hard decade for people. We have not had the money to spend on capital projects that we wanted but we are going to spend €116 billion. None of the Sinn Féin Deputies mentioned the €116 billion for Rebuilding Ireland. They only mentioned the negatives. Deputies have a variety of positions about this. Some want more funds transferred into the fund and...

National Surplus (Reserve Fund for Exceptional Contingencies) Bill 2018: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: Wehave never before spent as much on health. Deputy Quinlivan referred to child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, and the issues with CAMHS are nationwide. The issue is not having the right, qualified people working in the sector. That is the main issue with CAMHS. It is not about money. I can only speak about Wexford, the area that I know best. We have money and positions...

National Surplus (Reserve Fund for Exceptional Contingencies) Bill 2018: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: I did not interrupt any of the three Deputies. I will try to answer some more of the questions as best I can. The State money available from what was formerly the NTMA amounts to approximately €8.5 billion. The money in the escrow account from Apple amounts to approximately €14 billion, including interest. That is to be decided by the European Court of Justice at some...

National Surplus (Reserve Fund for Exceptional Contingencies) Bill 2018: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: There is no place more comfortable than where the three Sinn Féin Deputies are sitting. Sinn Féin is sitting on the fence. It is a national past-time for Sinn Féin. It does not take its seats in Westminster and it abdicates-----

National Surplus (Reserve Fund for Exceptional Contingencies) Bill 2018: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: Sinn Féin had 22 or 23 minutes, and I never interrupted Deputy Buckley once. He is not able to take the criticism back. It has been two years with no government in Northern Ireland.

National Surplus (Reserve Fund for Exceptional Contingencies) Bill 2018: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: We are dealing with the finances of the State in a careful, prudent and coherent way. I want to stop the lie, gentlemen, please, and I use the word "lie" because what they said about this being only about bailing out the banks is a lie. I do not think I am being unfair when I say that is more or less all Deputies Buckley and Martin Kenny said, nothing else.

National Surplus (Reserve Fund for Exceptional Contingencies) Bill 2018: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: That is fine.

National Surplus (Reserve Fund for Exceptional Contingencies) Bill 2018: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: I would like to put the following on the record of the House, please, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

National Surplus (Reserve Fund for Exceptional Contingencies) Bill 2018: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: There has been speculation that the fund could be used only for a future bank bailout. To clarify the fund and the drawdown, the latter can only be to the Exchequer. Direct payment to any other body or organisation is neither contemplated nor permitted. Drawdown is also subject to Dáil approval, and any onward payment from the Exchequer will be subject to the normal public financial...

National Surplus (Reserve Fund for Exceptional Contingencies) Bill 2018: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: Okay. That is fine.

National Surplus (Reserve Fund for Exceptional Contingencies) Bill 2018: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: They are just completely ignoring what I have just said. That is fine, and they are entitled to their opinion, but again, they are in the comfort zone of hurling sideways only on the ditch.

National Surplus (Reserve Fund for Exceptional Contingencies) Bill 2018: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: Sinn Féin does not participate in Westminster or in Northern Ireland and it chooses not to participate in government here.

National Surplus (Reserve Fund for Exceptional Contingencies) Bill 2018: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: Hurlers on the ditch is all they are.