Results 12,161-12,180 of 13,375 for speaker:Pat Rabbitte
- Order of Business. (19 May 2005)
Pat Rabbitte: I cannot rise from this seat without the Ceann Comhairle lecturing me on Standing Orders. It now turns out that the Ceann Comhairle allowed a member of the party to which the Ceann Comhairle formerly belonged to sneak into the House yesterday without approval. The Whips were not advised. There is precedent in that regard too, which was not adhered to. The Ceann Comhairle ought to be consistent.
- Order of Business. (19 May 2005)
Pat Rabbitte: It could be a breach of the trades description Act.
- Order of Business. (19 May 2005)
Pat Rabbitte: I refer to the Government's decision yesterday in respect of Aer Lingus. When will the Minister for Transport be in a position to say precisely how the Government proposes to implement that wrong decision?
- Order of Business. (19 May 2005)
Pat Rabbitte: This is the second time in three weeks that emergency legislation has been brought before the House to protect the property interests of the State in different respects. On the previous occasion, the legislation related to the British-Irish Agreement and the protection of properties under the aegis of Waterways Ireland. On this occasion it applies to development land or properties â we have...
- Order of Business. (19 May 2005)
Pat Rabbitte: There has been no briefing on this and the Government Whip did not feel obliged to tell the Whips at the meeting last night what the emergency measure contains or its purpose. There was no briefing of the spokespersons for either party and there has been no advice to the leaders of the parties why this is the case. If I am right in divining that it is about protection of State property, can...
- Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (18 May 2005)
Pat Rabbitte: Question 99: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the proposed task force to address outstanding complaints against Ireland over the failure to fulfil environmental obligations will be operational; the terms of reference of the task force; the persons who will be members of the task force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16345/05]
- Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (18 May 2005)
Pat Rabbitte: Question 164: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the progress of the report to the EU Commission detailing the way in which Ireland is dealing with ozone depleting substances; the reason for the failure to produce the report by the deadline of 31 December 2001; the steps taken to ensure the completion of the report following the Commission's...
- Public Expenditure: Motion (Resumed). (18 May 2005)
Pat Rabbitte: I congratulate Deputy Burton for proposing this important motion and I thank colleagues on all sides of the House who have contributed to this important and overdue debate. I note that the Minister of State concluded his contribution with an exhortation to the House to recall 1982. The dispiriting aspect of this debate is that when the Government cannot blame a previous Government, which is...
- Public Expenditure: Motion (Resumed). (18 May 2005)
Pat Rabbitte: Deputies spoke about the cost to the State of the electronic voting project, the mistakes made in respect of nursing homes, the renovation of the courthouse in Cork, the purchase of a site for the Minister, Deputy McDowell's prison and the projects at Punchestown and Abbotstown. The Taoiseach told the House this morning that the tribunals have cost â¬200 million, which is shocking....
- Public Expenditure: Motion (Resumed). (18 May 2005)
Pat Rabbitte: I will. Some Ministers are interested in serving the interests of taxpayers, but other Ministers are more interested in cutting ribbons than in cutting waste. Many Ministers in the Cabinet prefer to avail of photo opportunities and cut ribbons, instead of reading documents and taking responsibility. They are unable to read complex briefs so they blame the Civil Service, and if they cannot...
- Public Expenditure: Motion (Resumed). (18 May 2005)
Pat Rabbitte: I am sure the Ceann Comhairle agrees that it is scandalous.
- Tribunals of Inquiry. (18 May 2005)
Pat Rabbitte: Question 2: To ask the Taoiseach the total costs of the Moriarty tribunal in respect of the first quarter of 2005 for which his Department has responsibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14216/05]
- Tribunals of Inquiry. (18 May 2005)
Pat Rabbitte: I did not catch all of the Taoiseach's reply. Is he saying that this diminution of cost will commence from a particular date, irrespective of where we are by that date? It seems unlikely that between now and 11 January 2006, the date when the reduction in fees comes into effect, a great deal more progress will be made. Is it not possible for this House to give a direction to the Moriarty...
- Tribunals of Inquiry. (18 May 2005)
Pat Rabbitte: ââbecause it means the matters into which the six or seven tribunals are inquiring cannot be discussed or debated in the House without, at any rate, doing great damage to the Ceann Comhairle as he would get very upset policing the rules of the House?
- Tribunals of Inquiry. (18 May 2005)
Pat Rabbitte: That is precisely my point.
- Tribunals of Inquiry. (18 May 2005)
Pat Rabbitte: I am upset that even when I rise to support the Ceann Comhairle, he seems to expect that I am in contention with him. I support him entirely.
- Tribunals of Inquiry. (18 May 2005)
Pat Rabbitte: I accept the House cannot discuss issues which are before the tribunal. It was in respect of that precise matter that I complimented the Taoiseach on his foresight because if Deputies had been able to discuss the issues before the tribunals, it might have been a different story.
- Tribunals of Inquiry. (18 May 2005)
Pat Rabbitte: I accept that. If a cut-off date is applied, should the tribunals not restrict themselves to their core business? The Taoiseach expressed his hope that this particular tribunal would conclude its business. How can one reasonably expect it to do so? I do not envisage that senior counsel and other lawyers will continue to work for the tribunals when the cut in pay takes effect. Does the...
- Tribunals of Inquiry. (18 May 2005)
Pat Rabbitte: It is like a community employment scheme.
- Official Engagements. (18 May 2005)
Pat Rabbitte: Question 7: To ask the Taoiseach the official trips he plans to make abroad up to the end of 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14215/05]