Results 8,581-8,600 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (13 Dec 2011)

Phil Hogan: A private well is okay so Deputy Ferris need not worry.

Rural Areas: Motion (13 Dec 2011)

Phil Hogan: Wexford does not need a hand-out.

Rural Areas: Motion (13 Dec 2011)

Phil Hogan: Well done, Deputy Twomey. The man with the inside track.

Rural Areas: Motion (13 Dec 2011)

Phil Hogan: The town must have many visitors from Kilkenny.

Rural Areas: Motion (13 Dec 2011)

Phil Hogan: There was more money then.

Rural Areas: Motion (13 Dec 2011)

Phil Hogan: We heard it many times too. We learned it from them.

Rural Areas: Motion (13 Dec 2011)

Phil Hogan: I move: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "— recognises that the gap that has emerged between revenues and expenditure is not sustainable; — recognises that the comprehensive review of expenditure process, which was undertaken across all Departments, examined all areas of expenditure and ensured that the principles of fairness, growth and reform...

Rural Areas: Motion (13 Dec 2011)

Phil Hogan: I did not hear anybody mention the cuts made by Deputy Smith in 2009. Does he want me to list them?

Rural Areas: Motion (13 Dec 2011)

Phil Hogan: They will be listed tomorrow night.

Rural Areas: Motion (13 Dec 2011)

Phil Hogan: I have obviously hit a nerve. As the Deputies opposite are well aware, the gap that has emerged between revenues and expenditure is not sustainable. Budget 2012 estimates the general government deficit in 2011 at €15.6 billion or 10.1% of GDP, which is likely to be the highest deficit in the EU. The Government is committed to reducing this to 8.6% of GDP next year, a target set under the...

Rural Areas: Motion (13 Dec 2011)

Phil Hogan: The Government is focused on reducing the cost of doing business to support competitiveness and employment in the economy generally and to protect the interests of local communities. It is not concerned solely with the funding of local government, but also that local government delivers the services our communities expect as efficiently and effectively as possible. The Government's...

Rural Areas: Motion (13 Dec 2011)

Phil Hogan: If Deputies opposite want to poison groundwater and water supplies and, in turn, damage the prospects of inward investment, that is their decision, not mine. Groundwater is a source of drinking water for many people. Approximately 26% of the public and private drinking water supply is provided from groundwater sources. The EPA has identified effluent from on-site waste water treatment...

Rural Areas: Motion (13 Dec 2011)

Phil Hogan: That is some doing.

Rural Areas: Motion (13 Dec 2011)

Phil Hogan: Deputy Smith can compare that with his record. This lower financial limit will be achieved by the introduction of targeted reform in the disadvantaged areas payments, which will be achieved through reform of the stocking density, retention period and other elements of the scheme. The proposed changes will favour active farmers. The Government is supporting productivity and the upskilling of...

Rural Areas: Motion (13 Dec 2011)

Phil Hogan: The Deputy closed it. We will open it.

Rural Areas: Motion (13 Dec 2011)

Phil Hogan: These schemes cover poultry and pig welfare, dairy equipment, sheep handling and rainwater harvesting schemes, as well as the bio-energy scheme. In addition to providing an incentive for farmers to invest in their enterprises and secure their futures, these schemes will make a worthwhile contribution to job creation and to the maintenance of existing jobs in rural areas. The Government's...

Rural Areas: Motion (13 Dec 2011)

Phil Hogan: The budget sends out a positive message about the agri-food sector. It is an indication that the Government has confidence in the ability of the sector to do much more in terms of generating growth and employment. All the indications are that the sector will continue to outperform other sectors of the economy and continue on an upward trajectory, creating new jobs and building further on...

Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (13 Dec 2011)

Phil Hogan: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." The Local Government (Household Charge) Bill's purpose is to give effect to the EU-IMF programme of financial support commitment to introduce a property tax for 2012. The programme reflects the need, in the context of the State's overall financial position, to put the funding of locally delivered services on a sound financial footing,...

Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (13 Dec 2011)

Phil Hogan: Senators also pointed to the provisions in the Bill which enable the level of the charge to be increased in line with changes in the consumer price index, CPI, in the future. I stress that this provision would only allow for minimal changes in the level of the charge and it is also included in the Local Government (Charges) Act 2009. Any significant change in the quantum of the charge will...

Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (13 Dec 2011)

Phil Hogan: Persons will have a full three months from the liability date to pay the household charge. Significant efforts will be made to ensure that property owners are aware of the household charge and the liability and payment dates. My Department and local authorities will undertake a national information campaign to advise people of the charge and their responsibilities in regard to payment. A...