Results 10,001-10,020 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Order of Business. (6 Jul 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: An amendment has been proposed that does not disrupt the schedule — it delays the rising of the House for one hour — so that spokespersons will have an opportunity to make an initial statement.

Order of Business. (6 Jul 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: Nos. a12a and a12b relate to the establishment and membership of the special committee on child protection. The names of the proposed members are before the House. I notice there is no member from the junior partner in government, the Progressive Democrats.

Order of Business. (6 Jul 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: If the paralysis and dysfunction in the Progressive Democrats is such that no member will serve with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, who is a member ex officio, the House should be advised.

Order of Business. (6 Jul 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: If the dysfunction among the junior partner is so serious, it is a matter for the Government overall, whose other party also has its difficulties. Are we to proceed to approve the committee on the basis that the Progressive Democrats will not nominate a Member to serve on the committee?

Government Record: Motion (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: I thank all colleagues in the House who contributed to a debate that brought the Taoiseach into Private Members' time for the first time since he came to defend Ray Burke. The debate brought the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Tánaiste in to sit beside each other, although the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform refused to yield the Tánaiste's usual seat. I...

Government Record: Motion (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform looks across to the Opposition benches for what he believes is a cold house for him. He is quite wrong about this because there was considerable concern on these benches for the manner in which he hyperventilated last night. I believe he is suffering from Stockholm syndrome, which occurs when the captives become so friendly with the jailers...

Government Record: Motion (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: Now, apparently, support from Independent Deputies for an alternative Government is a sign of terminal breakdown. The Minister seems to have persuaded himself that only he has the divine right to rule in this country. Despite worsening crime figures, falling detection rates and his failure to reform the Garda, somehow he has an automatic right to be returned. The row within the Progressive...

Government Record: Motion (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: They did not even come to the House last night to support the Taoiseach.

Government Record: Motion (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: Deputy Johnny Brady was here. However, he was not one of the 16.

Government Record: Motion (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: I confirm that.

Government Record: Motion (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: I listened to the scatter of backbenchers who contributed, including Deputies O'Connor, Hoctor, Peter Power and Fiona O'Malley. Fear could be smelled in my office. Deputy Hoctor accused the Labour Party of seeking to downgrade Nenagh Hospital. My understanding is that the Government she supports wants to downgrade Nenagh Hospital, whereas Senator O'Meara is leading the charge for its...

Government Record: Motion (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: I do not know which side Deputy Fiona O'Malley supports.

Government Record: Motion (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: She supported the Government tonight.

Government Record: Motion (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: This is the same Deputy Fiona O'Malley who last week took to the letter page of The Irish Times to tell us about the Government's woeful performance on spiralling house prices.

Government Record: Motion (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: As Deputy O'Connor and I are friends, I will not say anything about him.

Government Record: Motion (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: The Tánaiste told us this is a land of boom and bloom and milk and honey. She outlined all the good she is doing for the health service. We hope she is doing good work but, nine years later, the fact that the hospital service is causing such grief to her Fianna Fáil colleagues that they are disowning her and saying these issues would not arise if a Fianna Fáil Deputy was in charge is...

Government Record: Motion (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: This is their opportunity to cast their vote ——

Government Record: Motion (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: ——to back up their principles, unless they are motivated by electoral panic.

Order of Business (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: My colleague, Deputy Howlin, advised me yesterday that he had been informally told that the O'Sullivan report was completed. The Taoiseach has confirmed that and that he has read it. Given that the issue convulsed the country, most people will find it difficult to understand how we can shut down the Dáil without an opportunity to discuss it. Will the Taoiseach confirm that he will make the...

Order of Business (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Pat Rabbitte: How are these people, some of whom will be in serious distress, supposed to live in the interim?