Results 761-780 of 939 for speaker:Noel Treacy

Seanad: Foreign Conflicts. (23 Mar 2005)

Noel Treacy: I wish to make a statement to the House on the Government's views regarding the decision of the Chinese National People's Congress to pass an anti-secession law. Since 1971, when Ireland voted in favour of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, we have recognised the Government of the People's Republic of China, as the sole legitimate Government of China. Ireland, together with...

Seanad: Foreign Conflicts. (23 Mar 2005)

Noel Treacy: In response to Senator Mooney, I affirm that the Government is deeply concerned and interested in this situation. The matter is constantly on the EU agenda. Ireland and the EU are totally committed to the One China policy. We believe that constant dialogue, communication and negotiation will create the opportunity to ensure that this issue can be resolved in a peaceful and positive manner in...

Northern Ireland Issues: Motion (Resumed). (2 Mar 2005)

Noel Treacy: In response to the motion, the House has rightly declared its dismay and outrage at the appalling events of 30 January last, which culminated in two men being left to bleed unattended on the streets of Belfast, one fatally. The shock initially felt by many people at the cold blooded nature of such an horrific crime has turned to anger at the audacity of those responsible, as they attempted to...

Northern Ireland Issues: Motion (Resumed). (9 Feb 2005)

Noel Treacy: As both Governments have made clear, the current difficulties in the peace process have been immeasurably complicated and deepened by the robbery of the Northern Bank. Continuing paramilitary activity and criminality is rightly the focus of our efforts to remedy the current difficulties. Removing the impasse and securing the establishment of the institutions of devolved government in Northern...

Finance Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (9 Feb 2005)

Noel Treacy: I propose to share time with Deputy Andrews.

Finance Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (9 Feb 2005)

Noel Treacy: Is cúis áthais dom é an deis seo a bheith agam cuidiú sa díospóireacht seo ar an mBille Airgeadais 2005, agus déanaim comhghairdeas leis an Aire, an Teachta Cowen, as ucht na sárcháinaisnéise a chuir sé faoi bhráid na Dála. Is Bille iontach leathan é atá os ár gcomhair an tráthnóna seo. I value the opportunity to contribute to this important debate. Deputies are aware that...

Finance Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (9 Feb 2005)

Noel Treacy: The Finance Bill sets into law many of the landmark policy decisions outlined in the Minister's first budget speech. This was one of the most generous budgets ever for old age pensioners, those struggling to get by on social welfare, those on the minimum wage and, perhaps most significantly, those with a disability and their families.

Finance Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (9 Feb 2005)

Noel Treacy: I will not comment on that. There may be other motivations for that collective group. I listened with great interest to what colleagues have said and I am disappointed some of them have left after speaking because I wished to respond to their contributions. How can Deputy Eamon Ryan claim the Government is anti-family when we have passed into law, and will copperfasten in the Finance Bill,...

Finance Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (9 Feb 2005)

Noel Treacy: We have no record of ever having deducted welfare money from any sector of society in the history of this great nation or this great party.

Finance Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (9 Feb 2005)

Noel Treacy: As well as taking thousands of lower paid people out of the tax net and substantially increasing all welfare payments, including child benefit, hard-pressed first-time home buyers have got a significant boost through major changes in stamp duty payments for second-hand houses. This is a generous measure that offers incentive and opportunity for first-time buyers by recognising and supporting...

Finance Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (9 Feb 2005)

Noel Treacy: ——younger people setting up in life will be able to acquire their first home.

Finance Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (9 Feb 2005)

Noel Treacy: This is the hallmark of the great Fianna Fáil tradition of maintaining, with its Progressive Democrats partners in Government, the commitment to building more houses and providing homes for more families than in any other state in the EU. We have the highest rate of private home ownership by tradition.

Finance Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (9 Feb 2005)

Noel Treacy: We have maintained and expanded that and will continue to do so. The Bill will give effect to the major tax and fiscal aspects of the budget and will build on the substantial achievements of the Fianna Fáil and Progressive Democrats Governments since 1997. Last year, the Government was denigrated by the Opposition as being uncaring and bereft of vision. We were criticised for taking hard...

Finance Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (9 Feb 2005)

Noel Treacy: ——the Government demonstrated steady leadership, in the context of the worst economic global downturn in 20 years. Despite the irresponsible carping from the Opposition, a short-term course was set that faced the reality that the level of public spending heretofore could not be sustained as less revenue was at the Government's disposal. The Government realised that by controlling spending...

Finance Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (9 Feb 2005)

Noel Treacy: ——a real basket case, or "the poorest of Europe's rich", as we were famously described in 1987.

Finance Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (9 Feb 2005)

Noel Treacy: I can remember back to the 1970s and the 1980s. I remember a change of Government in November 1982 and a doubling of the national debt——

Finance Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (9 Feb 2005)

Noel Treacy: ——a crippling of the economy and a maximisation of emigration.

Finance Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (9 Feb 2005)

Noel Treacy: The brightest and best left our shores. Thankfully, my party returned to Government in March 1987 and set about pulling the country out of the doldrums of the previous five years.

Finance Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (9 Feb 2005)

Noel Treacy: Due to utter mismanagement and incompetence, Fine Gael had presided over a situation where taxes were gone through the roof, with personal taxation rates of 52%——

Finance Bill 2005: Second Stage (Resumed). (9 Feb 2005)

Noel Treacy: ——rampant inflation of19.3%——