Results 11,181-11,200 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte

Financial Resolution No. 4: Income Tax. (7 Dec 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: I did not know the Government was entitled to introduce resolutions just for those in the Bar Library. If it is legitimate I am happy to support it.

Financial Resolution No. 4: Income Tax. (7 Dec 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: It is still very generous. As the Tánaiste said it will not have an impact on many people. Quite a number of years ago we first learned that it was possible to get £2,300 per day for a tribunal that we did not expect to last for approximately ten years. The then chairman of the Bar Library, a highly-respected figure, appeared on the "Prime Time" programme to defend these inordinately high...

Financial Resolution No. 4: Income Tax. (7 Dec 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: During the course of the discussion he explained that £2,300 per day was not at all excessive considering all the costs they had. He said: "Why, only today I had to write a cheque for £58,000 towards my own pension". There are two different worlds that do not collide. This resolution is still quite generous. Of course, I have no intention of opposing it. It is fair. The budget contains...

Financial Resolution No. 4: Income Tax. (7 Dec 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: That is true. Nonetheless if the issue is to be addressed by the Exchequer, it needs to be addressed in this budget rather than by whoever introduces the budget this time next year. The whole pensions issue warranted some initiative in that regard. However, that is a wider debate than the terms of this resolution, which we are very happy not to oppose.

Financial Resolution No. 1: Mineral Oils. (7 Dec 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: Like Deputy Paul McGrath, I am happy to welcome this resolution. Am I correct that it is about halving the excise duty? A considerable windfall came the State's way as a result of the increase in fuel prices. A reply to a parliamentary question suggests there has been perhaps as much as a €94 million windfall to the State from the additional VAT revenue. That figure may be projected for...

Financial Resolution No. 2: Income Tax. (7 Dec 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: Like Deputy McGrath, I have been taken aback by the scale of this matter. I welcome the first of these two motions but am taken aback by the apparent extent involved. There is reference to income arising from possessions outside the State. As I understand it, "possessions" means income arising from any source, and according to the note provided to me by the Chief Whip, the tightening up...

Financial Resolution No. 2: Income Tax. (7 Dec 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: I see. I notice that the yield is negligible. I fully understand it cannot be retrospective but that in a full year it is estimated to bring in about €5 million. I am happy to support that resolution.

Financial Resolution No. 2: Income Tax. (7 Dec 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: I support Deputy Ardagh's nomination also.

Financial Resolution No. 2: Income Tax. (7 Dec 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: How does this relate to motions 2 and 3?

Financial Resolution No. 2: Income Tax. (7 Dec 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: Does that mean that we will be able to change the view of the EU Commissioner, Mr. McCreevy, on the services directive?

Budget Statement 2005. (7 Dec 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: There is no hope now that the Minister of State, Deputy Callely, is gone.

Budget Statement 2005. (7 Dec 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: The Taoiseach is a Bee Gees man.

Budget Statement 2005. (7 Dec 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: It is a new poverty trap.

Budget Statement 2005. (7 Dec 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Roche, cannot contain himself.

Leaders' Questions. (7 Dec 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: I am not sure that I understand what the Taoiseach is saying. Is he saying he will fire this incompetent, accident-prone Minister of State? Is that what he is telling the House? I am not clear from what the Taoiseach has said what exactly transpired at St. Luke's last Monday morning. What issues were discussed with the Minister of State, Deputy Callely? Is it the case, as it appears to be,...

Leaders' Questions. (7 Dec 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: Do I understand the Taoiseach will not require the Minister of State, Deputy Callely, to come into the House and make a statement explaining his case or will the Taoiseach deal with it directly in the discussions today? Can the Taoiseach tell the House that no other benefits have been conferred on the Minister of State at any stage during his political career by any other private interests?...

Irish Language. (7 Dec 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: Is it intended at any stage to review the efficacy of the Act, how it is functioning and so forth? Does the Taoiseach think, for example, the requirement that every official document be published in both languages is the best use of public money to stimulate greater use of the Irish language? Apart from the cost for every organisation producing a bilingual report, the amount of hours that...

Commemorative Events. (7 Dec 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: Question 7: To ask the Taoiseach the proposals which he has to commemorate the 1916 Easter Rising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32736/05]

Commemorative Events. (7 Dec 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: Question 10: To ask the Taoiseach if, arising from his recent announcement regarding commemoration of the 1916 Rising, he has plans for an annual ceremony to mark the first meeting of Dáil Éireann in January 1919; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35327/05]

Commemorative Events. (7 Dec 2005)

Pat Rabbitte: Is the Taoiseach not concerned that the initiative to commemorate the 1916 Rising in this fashion has been undermined by his decision to announce it in a partisan way at the Fianna Fáil Ard-Fheis? The Labour Party is happy to nominate someone to the committee suggested by the Taoiseach but there are other events that might equally be commemorated, upon which we bestow no thought. We in this...