Results 9,781-9,800 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Standards in Public Office. (18 Oct 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: I thank the Tánaiste. I never made any such telephone call, but my name was used by the person who did. I know that such behaviour can occur. If this legislation is to be introduced and the commission, which comprises eminent and true citizens, has made the recommendation to the Government that it needs a power that will make all of our lives easier, why will the Government not tell the...

Standards in Public Office. (18 Oct 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: The Government has entrusted the commission with onerous responsibilities under existing legislation——

Standards in Public Office. (18 Oct 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: ——which it believes it cannot vindicate without listening to extremists.

Standards in Public Office. (18 Oct 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: It did, but he turned it down.

Standards in Public Office. (18 Oct 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: Does the Taoiseach not have confidence in the commission? It is not composed of the type of people who would make a mischievous or frivolous investigation.

Leaders' Questions (18 Oct 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: I wish also to raise an issue affecting older people but not only older people. I refer to the unconscionably high increases in ESB and gas prices. Gas prices have increased by 33.8% from 1 October, in a country where, according to the report by Deloitte & Touche on regulation of the electricity sector, almost one in five Irish people is defined as fuel-poor. The Taoiseach can imagine the...

Leaders' Questions (18 Oct 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: This €5 increase was announced last year in the budget. Unfortunate older people in fear for their health, living in poor, damp circumstances with inadequate heating and fearful of how they can survive a difficult winter receive a statement to the effect that their fuel allowance has been increased by €5. Is the Taoiseach happy with a situation whereby outrageous, disproportionate price...

Leaders' Questions (18 Oct 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: I suppose I am responsible for this too.

Leaders' Questions (18 Oct 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: The Taoiseach frequently says things that are not in accordance with fact. It is part of his style. To say the €5 increase in fuel allowance was not announced in the last budget——

Leaders' Questions (18 Oct 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: I have a reply to a parliamentary question from May which states budget 2006 provided for an increase in the rate of the fuel allowance of €5——

Leaders' Questions (18 Oct 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: What is the point then if it was announced in last year's budget?

Leaders' Questions (18 Oct 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: It was announced in budget 2006.

Leaders' Questions (18 Oct 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: I am referring to the fuel allowance. It is a deliberate attempt to mislead.

Leaders' Questions (18 Oct 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: If anyone in the House is going to talk about hissy fits, I would have thought the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform is best qualified to advise us on them.

Leaders' Questions (18 Oct 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: However, we have survived it for the moment and we are very happy about that.

Leaders' Questions (18 Oct 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: On the Taoiseach's argument about internationally imposed energy costs, since these increases were announced, energy prices have begun to fall. There is no capacity, as the regulator operates, for more than an annual review. Despite falling energy costs, these punitive increases of 34% will continue to apply. Meanwhile, there is an attempt to create an artificially competitive market in...

Leaders' Questions (18 Oct 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: What steps does the Government intend to take to address the issue raised by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, among others? It pointed out that a disproportionate share of the budget available to it will go towards helping older people and those on social welfare payments of various kinds to pay gas and electricity bills. Following on the other increases in electricity and gas prices in...

Leaders' Questions (18 Oct 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: ——I do not believe an individual with an income similar to that of the Taoiseach, or for that matter mine, can understand the impact the scale of a 34% increase will have on social welfare recipients and older people. The provision announced by the Minister for Social and Family Affairs is entirely inadequate in these circumstances. There ought to be a Government response——

Leaders' Questions (18 Oct 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: ——to the arguments presented by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

Written Answers — Animal Health Issues: Animal Health Issues (17 Oct 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: Question 139: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food when exempt list for prescription only veterinary medicines will be in place; the person who is advising her on which medicines should be so exempted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32889/06]