Results 11,321-11,340 of 21,440 for speaker:Mary Lou McDonald

Leaders' Questions (19 Nov 2015)

Mary Lou McDonald: From listening to the Tánaiste's responses this morning the message from Government on variable rate mortgages seems to be to shop around. On the issue of social housing, reference was made to a tenfold increase. Twenty by ten is 200. That is the height and scale of the Government's ambition. The average rent in Dublin now is in excess of €1,400.

Leaders' Questions (19 Nov 2015)

Mary Lou McDonald: The Tánaiste's answer to that, it seems, is to turn a blind eye and cross her fingers. She went on at length about voids. There are still 3,000 voids across the State. In other words, the Government's policy in respect of housing is nothing more than waffle.

Leaders' Questions (19 Nov 2015)

Mary Lou McDonald: It is recycled statements, rhetoric, the politics of blaming everybody else - councillors, homeless agencies, campaigners - whoever is at hand to off-set the blame, but the Government refuses to take responsibility on these matters.

Leaders' Questions (19 Nov 2015)

Mary Lou McDonald: That is the reality, and the Government has set that position out with glorious clarity here today.

Leaders' Questions (19 Nov 2015)

Mary Lou McDonald: Could the Tánaiste please answer my question, which revolves around rent certainty? Is the Government still captivated by the notion that it cannot interfere in the market?

Leaders' Questions (19 Nov 2015)

Mary Lou McDonald: God help the market. Is the Tánaiste still captivated by that logic, the logic of her Fine Gael partners in government or will the Government move to do something substantive that offers a remedy for people who rent, and afford real rent certainty and security for them in their homes?

Leaders' Questions (19 Nov 2015)

Mary Lou McDonald: Really.

Leaders' Questions (19 Nov 2015)

Mary Lou McDonald: Does the Tánaiste live on the same planet as the rest of us?

Leaders' Questions (19 Nov 2015)

Mary Lou McDonald: I regularly visit the Tánaiste's constituency.

Leaders' Questions (19 Nov 2015)

Mary Lou McDonald: Clarity is not your forte.

Leaders' Questions (19 Nov 2015)

Mary Lou McDonald: The Tánaiste might answer the question.

Leaders' Questions (19 Nov 2015)

Mary Lou McDonald: We have experienced the largest jump in rent since 2007.

Leaders' Questions (19 Nov 2015)

Mary Lou McDonald: Ireland is now one of the most expensive places in which to rent in Europe. Last year the average increase in rent was 9.3% - it was 9.7% outside Dublin. Rents have returned almost to the level they were at the peak of the housing bubble. Individuals and families throughout the country are already struggling to keep a roof over their heads and yet the Government is unwilling to intervene...

Leaders' Questions (19 Nov 2015)

Mary Lou McDonald: Far from it.

Other Questions: Public Procurement Contracts Social Clauses (19 Nov 2015)

Mary Lou McDonald: 14. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has given consideration to the inclusion of a social clause in capital public procurement projects to the value of €1 million or more; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40611/15]

Other Questions: Public Procurement Contracts Social Clauses (19 Nov 2015)

Mary Lou McDonald: I raised this question because of the slow progress in the roll-out of social clauses. It is over a year since the establishment of the social clauses project group. Only 11 pilot projects have been identified up to September 2015. I urge a continued focus and maybe a bit more urgency on this issue.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Procurement Regulations (19 Nov 2015)

Mary Lou McDonald: The issue arises in circumstances where the Department initially refuses a meeting cognisant of the need to be open, transparent and non-discriminatory. Is it appropriate for a Minister to meet bidders who may be, and were in this case, the successful bidders in the process subsequently?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Procurement Regulations (19 Nov 2015)

Mary Lou McDonald: It is.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Procurement Regulations (19 Nov 2015)

Mary Lou McDonald: There is no better way to test the efficacy of the EU directives and their application in this State-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Procurement Regulations (19 Nov 2015)

Mary Lou McDonald: -----than to test specific cases on which there has been public commentary-----