Results 15,501-15,520 of 21,237 for speaker:Mary Lou McDonald

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: There is only one word to describe the Finance Bill and the budget from which it stems, and that word is "insidious". The Minister tried to pull off some stunt on budget day, with efforts to spin and distract people from the worst of the Government's latest bout of brutal cuts. We said at the time that the devil would be in the detail. In the Social Welfare Bill and now in this Finance...

Order of Business (6 Nov 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: I wish to raise two issues. One year has passed since the decision to locate the new children's hospital at St. James's Hospital. A new heart centre at Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin which was privately financed is opening today. People are watching and wondering when the new children's hospital will be delivered. A deal has been struck to sell the national lottery-----

Order of Business (6 Nov 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: -----and the Taoiseach has indicated that money is going to be ring-fenced. When will the national paediatric hospital development board Bill be brought forward? Will the Taoiseach also indicate when the consolidated domestic violence legislation will be forthcoming?

Order of Business (6 Nov 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: As usual.

Retirement of Head Usher (6 Nov 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: I do not have 30 years' service in this place but I can say from the recent years I have served here that I have always been struck by Tom's professionalism, courtesy and good humour. Let this be said also of all of the ushers who work in the Oireachtas. I join with others in thanking Tom for this and in congratulating him for such an outstanding record of public service. The idea of a...

Leaders' Questions (6 Nov 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: What is the requirement of Deputy Kenny, as Taoiseach? Is it to stand by his man?

Leaders' Questions (6 Nov 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: It is the Taoiseach who is the joker.

Leaders' Questions (6 Nov 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: I reject the Taoiseach's assertion that this is about cutting costs but not services. It is very clear from the letter from the four hospital CEOs that their experience is that it is not simply prudent, cost-cutting savings that are being made but that services are being undermined. This morning cancer patients and their families woke to the news that they are next in line to be hit by...

Leaders' Questions (6 Nov 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: It is time for the Minister, Deputy Reilly, to go. He should resign. These four hospitals - the Mater, St. James's, Tallaght and Crumlin children's hospital - provide vital services. Their CEOs say the Government's cuts and demands for fewer staff and shorter waiting lists are unsustainable and undeliverable and that this approach is damaging the foundations of the health system. When...

Leaders' Questions (6 Nov 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: I should not be too surprised at the Taoiseach's expression of confidence in the Minister, because it is clear that he lives in some kind of warped bubble regarding these matters.

Leaders' Questions (6 Nov 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: The Government's backbenchers do not like hearing this, but they will hear it. The CEOs of these four hospitals have described the Government's proposed cuts of up to €1 billion as short-sighted and random. It is very clear from reports from Crumlin children's hospital that children with cancer are experiencing delays to chemotherapy. That is now on the public record. It is...

Leaders' Questions (6 Nov 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: The letter clearly states that there is a crisis in the hospitals and that further cuts will lay low many of those services. The implication for those who rely on our health services is yet more anxiety and concern. The Taoiseach attempts to lecture me about legal responsibilities with regard to the preparation of the HSE service plan. That is a joke coming from the Taoiseach. Has he any...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Industrial Disputes (6 Nov 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: 66. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the impact the recent breakdown in negotiations between the An Post management and the group of unions will have on his Department’s efforts to progress the new national lottery licence recently awarded to Premier Lotteries Ireland. [47230/13]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Industrial Disputes (6 Nov 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: 67. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the failure of the recently concluded Labour Relations Commission negotiations between An Post, the An Post Group of Unions and his Department to gain acceptance by workers will impact negatively on the current negotiations with Premier Lotteries Ireland regarding the new national lottery licence. [47231/13]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: National Lottery Licence Sale (6 Nov 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: 68. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if annual contributions for good causes will be set at 65% of gross gaming revenues; if it will be provided for in the new national lottery licence recently awarded to Premier Lotteries Ireland. [47232/13]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: National Lottery Licence Sale (6 Nov 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: 69. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the recently concluded award of the new national lottery licence to Premier Lotteries Ireland secured an up-front payment of €400 million. [47233/13]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: EU Programmes (6 Nov 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: 70. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his Department's responsibility for preparations for Ireland's EU Structural Funds programmes for the period 2014 to 2020. [47259/13]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: EU Programmes (6 Nov 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: 71. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the second consultation process on Preparation of Member State Partnership Agreement for Structural and Investment Funds 2014 – 2020 has been completed; and if he will provide a summary of the same. [47260/13]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: EU Programmes (6 Nov 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: 72. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the date by which he expects the draft Common Provisions Regulation of the Structural and Investment Funds 2014 – 2020 to be adopted by the European Council and European Parliament. [47261/13]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: EU Programmes (6 Nov 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: 73. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department has prepared and submitted a partnership agreement outlining funding priorities for the 2014-2020 EU Structural Funds Programme; and if Community Led Local Development model is contained within the partnership agreement. [47262/13]