Results 8,981-9,000 of 18,729 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: Since 1970, Fine Gael and the Labour Party have governed together for 12 years out of the 35. There have been just five years when real income per head in Ireland fell. In every one of those periods Fine Gael and the Labour Party were in government together. Fine Gael and the Labour Party equal slump. That is the fundamental equation of Irish politics. Anybody with any memory knows that Fine...

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: When one adds to Fine Gael and the Labour Party, the Green Party, Deputies Joe Higgins, Cowley, Gregory, Finian McGrath, Healy and others, it would be a recipe for a major slump. When we have Deputy Kenny's Stan Laurel and Deputy Rabbitte's Oliver Hardy, this is another fine mess into which they hope to get the people.

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: A slump coalition of Fine Gael and the Labour Party would mean increased unemployment. When the rainbow coalition left office in 1997, unemployment stood at a figure of 10.9%.

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: That is what the Labour Party and Fine Gael stand for.

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I want to discuss the cohesion of the Opposition. As the Taoiseach has noted, last week Fine Gael introduced the Criminal Law (Home Defence) Bill 2006 and Labour Party Deputies sat squirming with embarrassment because they knew it was a stunt.

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: On the question of the age of consent, Fine Gael and the Labour Party are sharply divided.

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: Let us turn to tonight's business, defence and neutrality. Fine Gael wants a European defence capability but the Labour Party and the Green Party do not agree. A Fine Gael candidate in my constituency wants a European army.

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: On the question of neutrality, does Deputy Kenny propose to give the Labour Party and the Green Party a double veto on the triple lock?

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: On simple issues such as the European Union, the Opposition is hopelessly divided. Where is it with regard to neutrality and other serious political subjects?

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I want to rehearse for the House a solemn promise from Deputy Kenny.

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: If he will not listen to me, he might listen to himself. Referring to co-operation in the Oireachtas, he is quoted in the Sunday Times of 28 March 2004 as saying: I think we can expand that over the next 18 months into a comprehensive programme — that is what I'd like to do. You are going to have to deal with areas of health and education and crime; you are going to have to deal with the...

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: That promise——

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: ——to produce an alternative programme for Government within 18 months was made more than two years ago but the Opposition has failed miserably. It has no ideas and is bereft of any policy. As the Taoiseach told the House, if the parties opposite are breaking promises while in opposition, God help us when they get into government.

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I will finish on this point. The Labour Party, Fine Gael, the Green Party and the far left coalition behind them are a recipe for a slump in the economy.

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: The people know that if they put the Labour Party and Fine Gael into office, the cranes will disappear from the skyline, the unemployment queues will grow and growth will stop.

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: That has been our experience. The Deputy may laugh but when he last left office ——

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: —— the unemployment rate was over 10%. Such a rate has brought down other governments in Europe but was good enough for the Labour Party because, as far as it is concerned, it feeds off poverty and inequality without doing anything to solve them. It is a disgrace.

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: What was the disagreement on the smoking ban?

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: The rainbow Government let them all out on temporary release through the revolving door.

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: Rubbish.