Results 9,801-9,820 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Departmental Programmes. (2 Dec 2009)

Eamon Gilmore: Question 2: To ask the Taoiseach the role of the social policy unit in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32534/09]

Departmental Programmes. (2 Dec 2009)

Eamon Gilmore: Has the social policy unit produced any assessments of the proposals that have been floating around in respect of the social welfare measures that might be taken in the budget? Has it, for example, done an assessment on the proposal I understand the Government intends to proceed with, namely, to cut in some form or other the levels of child benefit? Did it carry out any assessment of the...

Departmental Programmes. (2 Dec 2009)

Eamon Gilmore: An increase of 7,000.

Departmental Programmes. (2 Dec 2009)

Eamon Gilmore: It is very disappointing to hear again that there is an increase in the level of unemployment. Last month's figures suggested that there might be some bottoming out in the unemployment level and job losses. Now we are hearing again of an increase - 1,100 on last month - and we have had announcements of job losses in recent weeks. It is a story of continuing economic difficulties here,...

Departmental Programmes. (2 Dec 2009)

Eamon Gilmore: It means that more people are out of work than was the case last month.

Departmental Programmes. (2 Dec 2009)

Eamon Gilmore: In his reply to me earlier, the Taoiseach sought to put a gloss on the live register figures by representing them as though they were an improvement. I have the new figures released just a few minutes ago. The seasonally adjusted figure for the numbers on the live register for November 2009 stands at 423,400. That is the highest November figure ever. It is 236,000 more than were on the...

Departmental Programmes. (2 Dec 2009)

Eamon Gilmore: It is not unrelated. What is the social policy unit to do if it cannot deal with unemployment?

Public Relations Contracts. (2 Dec 2009)

Eamon Gilmore: Question 5: To ask the Taoiseach the work of the committee in his Department charged with overseeing the awarding of public relations contracts by Ministers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37271/09]

Public Relations Contracts. (2 Dec 2009)

Eamon Gilmore: My understanding of the guidelines published in 2005 following the Quigley report is that the appointment of a particular person, consultant or public relations firm by a Minister would be referred to the Government secretariat for consideration and that if it had some issues it wished to raise in that regard, the Secretary General would make a recommendation to the Taoiseach as to whether...

Departmental Offices. (2 Dec 2009)

Eamon Gilmore: An bord snip nua made recommendations in respect of the Office of the Chief State's Solicitor to the effect that savings of €400,000 be achieved through the suppression of vacancies and efficiencies in external legal services and other administrative expenses. What consideration has been given to this recommendation and how will its implementation be squared with the conclusions of the...

Order of Business (2 Dec 2009)

Eamon Gilmore: Only four sitting days have been scheduled after the budget, which will be announced this day week. Four days is a short period for a debate on a budget, particularly one that we expect will be exceptional. In addition, the Taoiseach replied to me to the effect that it may be necessary to have a social welfare Bill brought through the Houses and enacted before the Christmas recess if any...

Order of Business (2 Dec 2009)

Eamon Gilmore: I am discussing arrangements for the House's sitting. Is there clarity on whether there will be a social welfare Bill before Christmas? Does the Government plan to allow sitting days before Christmas in addition to the scheduled four? It is a small number.

Order of Business (2 Dec 2009)

Eamon Gilmore: We are going to have to discuss the arrangements for the budget debate and for any social welfare Bill that is introduced.

Order of Business (2 Dec 2009)

Eamon Gilmore: No, it is about-----

Order of Business (2 Dec 2009)

Eamon Gilmore: With respect, a Cheann Comhairle, I am entitled to ask questions about the arrangements for sittings and the conduct of business. The Government has created a set of circumstances in which the date of the budget has been put back to 9 December, thereby leaving a very short period of time for a debate on the budget. It appears there may be a political strategy to get the budget, and possibly...

Order of Business (2 Dec 2009)

Eamon Gilmore: In fairness to the Taoiseach, this is the first time he has acknowledged that there will be a social welfare Bill before Christmas.

Order of Business (2 Dec 2009)

Eamon Gilmore: We now know what that means. It will not suffice to provide for four sitting days on which to debate the budget and the social welfare Bill. I would like the Taoiseach to set out, before we break at the end of this week, details of satisfactory sitting arrangements for the rest of this session. If he is not in a position to do so today, perhaps he will direct the Tánaiste to do so...

Order of Business (2 Dec 2009)

Eamon Gilmore: He will not be mad keen on that one.

Child Benefit: Motion (Resumed) (2 Dec 2009)

Eamon Gilmore: I thank my colleague, Deputy Shortall, for tabling this motion and all the Members of the House who have contributed to the debate. In seven or eight minutes' time we will vote on this motion. Let me be very clear. There is no obligation on any Government member or supporter of the House to vote against this motion.

Child Benefit: Motion (Resumed) (2 Dec 2009)

Eamon Gilmore: Government Deputies will seek to justify voting against this motion on the grounds that they are obliged to support the Government position on it. The Government will not fall if the Labour Party motion is passed tonight. Our motion is simply calling on the Government not to touch child benefit in next week's budget. It is a call and an appeal. The verb in the Labour Party motion,...