Results 8,281-8,300 of 9,147 for speaker:Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Treaty on Stability, Co-ordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union: Statements (29 Feb 2012)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: In Ireland we could deploy our National Pensions Reserve Fund, €5.3 billion of our own resources, in partnership with the European Investment Bank and consider key strategic projects. However, we have decided that capital investment, the low hanging fruit, will be drastically reduced. There is no vision. The emphasis is on always complying with the numbers. On sovereign debt, we all know...

Treaty on Stability, Co-ordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union: Statements (29 Feb 2012)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: -----are exposed to all of the various vehicles that are proposed. They have not been rigorously stress tested. All of the books across Europe - not just in Ireland - should be opened. The truth should be put on the table. When the rigorous stress tests reveal all the facts about the reality of the extent of this crisis, the banks can deleverage and we can recapitalise them on a case by...

Treaty on Stability, Co-ordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union: Statements (29 Feb 2012)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: This treaty fits the narrative. That is what this is all about. It is completely wrong.

Treaty on Stability, Co-ordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union: Statements (29 Feb 2012)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: The context of the treaty is very clear.

Treaty on Stability, Co-ordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union: Statements (29 Feb 2012)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: You tell me and - far more importantly - you tell the Irish people how we are going to get to-----

Treaty on Stability, Co-ordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union: Statements (29 Feb 2012)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: In fairness, the Tánaiste addressed me.

Treaty on Stability, Co-ordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union: Statements (29 Feb 2012)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Would you like to make that point to him too?

Treaty on Stability, Co-ordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union: Statements (29 Feb 2012)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: That is fair enough. I am happy to address you. When the Tánaiste asked me a question, I tried to be polite by responding to him.

Treaty on Stability, Co-ordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union: Statements (29 Feb 2012)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Of course. I will address the Chairperson because I cannot address the Tánaiste.

Treaty on Stability, Co-ordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union: Statements (29 Feb 2012)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: The Chairperson is insisting on this process. How does the Government suggest the Irish people can meet the demands of this treaty, such as the 0.5% deficit ceiling and the requirement to reduce the 60% debt to GDP ratio over a defined timeframe? In such a climate, how can we facilitate economic growth and restore confidence to entrepreneurs and people who want to make things happen in this...

Treaty on Stability, Co-ordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union: Statements (29 Feb 2012)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: The core issue is that this treaty does not offer a solution to our economic crisis. The really interesting thing is that the strongest defence of this proposition that I have heard in the debates on it is that the ATMs will shut down and we will be unable to pay our doctors if we cannot access a bailout.

Treaty on Stability, Co-ordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union: Statements (29 Feb 2012)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: That has been the strongest defence of it.

Treaty on Stability, Co-ordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union: Statements (29 Feb 2012)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: No economic defence of this proposition can be made.

Treaty on Stability, Co-ordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union: Statements (29 Feb 2012)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: That is why the Government wilfully tried to avoid a referendum.

Treaty on Stability, Co-ordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union: Statements (29 Feb 2012)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: The text was weakened.

Treaty on Stability, Co-ordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union: Statements (29 Feb 2012)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: As Deputy Ross has pointed out, the Attorney General has done the right thing. The Government knows this is a ridiculous proposition that does not offer a solution to our crisis. That is why it will resort to scaremongering again.

Treaty on Stability, Co-ordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union: Statements (29 Feb 2012)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: We will hear about jobs and growth. We will be told we will not get any money if we do not support this. We will hear suggestions of "better the devil you know", etc. Fair play to Raymond Crotty for giving the Irish people a chance to have their say on these matters. When the Irish people rejected the Lisbon treaty, that decision was celebrated not only in Ireland, but also by ordinary...

Treaty on Stability, Co-ordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union: Statements (29 Feb 2012)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: If one needs any evidence of the lack of collective political leadership, it is the letter that has been written by 12 political leaders. There are 27 leaders in the EU. France and Germany were not involved in the letter. The Government is making it up as it goes along. This proposition is bad for Ireland and bad for Europe. The Irish people have a chance to make a stand and I believe...

Treaty on Stability, Co-ordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union: Statements (29 Feb 2012)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I imagine the mood among those in the Cabinet was sombre yesterday when the Attorney General's deliberations were reported and it dawned on them that a referendum was unavoidable. I recall when the Tánaiste addressed the Joint Committee on European Union Affairs on this issue. We probed and determined that the term "preferably constitutional" was changed in the text. The only achievement...

Treaty on Stability, Co-ordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union: Statements (29 Feb 2012)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: It is on the record so the Tánaiste can deny it all he likes.