Results 7,581-7,600 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Spent Convictions Bill 2007: Second Stage (18 Dec 2008)

Pat Rabbitte: My colleagues dealing with previous legislation are clearly wearied after a very long session and as a result we are now dealing with the Spent Convictions Bill. The Bill started life as a Private Members' Bill and I welcome its principle and commend the Minister of State, Deputy Andrews, for bringing the Bill forward. It is somewhat surprising that it has taken until the last days of 2008...

Spent Convictions Bill 2007: Second Stage (18 Dec 2008)

Pat Rabbitte: What does that say for the principle in terms of adults? Do we exclude adults in all cases in this particular category? Am I right in saying there does not appear to be any differentiation in the Bill between suspended sentences and jail sentences? As far as I can see from a quick reading of the Bill, both are regarded as custodial. If that is right, there ought to be a differentiation....

Departmental Agencies. (18 Dec 2008)

Pat Rabbitte: Question 2: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding contacts he has had with the Equality Authority regarding difficulties they will face as a result of his decision to cut its budget by 42% for 2009; the reason he did not accept the suggestion put forward by the board of the authority for alternative cuts that would have resulted in savings of 32%;...

Departmental Agencies. (18 Dec 2008)

Pat Rabbitte: Is it not hypocritical in the extreme of the Minister to trot out some mealy-mouthed platitudes in the House about his commitment to equality, when he has driven out the chief executive from the Equality Authority and has effectively broken up the agency? Is it not the case that the Equality Authority cannot possibly discharge its functions under the strictures now on it? What is the point...

Departmental Agencies. (18 Dec 2008)

Pat Rabbitte: While Members do not have time at present to deal with the novel proposition that the purpose of Fianna Fáil coming into existence was to address our class-ridden society, they may return to it at another time. What does the Minister purport to have told Members in his reply, having read out various expenditure headings? Which of them does he suggest is improper? Is it not the task of the...

Departmental Agencies. (18 Dec 2008)

Pat Rabbitte: That is the reason the Minister cut the authority's budget by 42%?

Departmental Agencies. (18 Dec 2008)

Pat Rabbitte: The Minister knows this is entirely disingenuous.

Departmental Agencies. (18 Dec 2008)

Pat Rabbitte: Did everyone take a cut of 42%?

Departmental Agencies. (18 Dec 2008)

Pat Rabbitte: The rest of the agencies experienced cuts of 2%, 4% and 6%.

Departmental Agencies. (18 Dec 2008)

Pat Rabbitte: What about the board members?

Departmental Agencies. (18 Dec 2008)

Pat Rabbitte: When did the board members get——

Departmental Agencies. (18 Dec 2008)

Pat Rabbitte: The Minister is filibustering.

Departmental Agencies. (18 Dec 2008)

Pat Rabbitte: The Minister is filibustering. He is spoofing.

Departmental Agencies. (18 Dec 2008)

Pat Rabbitte: What is the answer to the two questions?

Departmental Agencies. (18 Dec 2008)

Pat Rabbitte: The Minister is filibustering.

Departmental Agencies. (18 Dec 2008)

Pat Rabbitte: Nasty?

Departmental Agencies. (18 Dec 2008)

Pat Rabbitte: Is that all the Minister has to say?

Departmental Agencies. (18 Dec 2008)

Pat Rabbitte: The Minister is flimflamming. He is filibustering.

Departmental Agencies. (18 Dec 2008)

Pat Rabbitte: He is filibustering——

Departmental Agencies. (18 Dec 2008)

Pat Rabbitte: ——and he did not answer any of the questions.