Results 17,121-17,140 of 21,260 for speaker:Mary Lou McDonald

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: The Tánaiste will be aware that the new Croke Park agreement has been greeted with dismay by many within the public service and the Civil Service, particularly by front-line workers. Not for the first time, we saw yesterday members of an Garda Síochána protesting the shattering cuts they are experiencing outside Government Buildings. The attempt by the Government to silence...

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: The Tánaiste and I know that morale among gardaí is at an all-time low. They are deeply disillusioned at the Government's cutback agenda, dressed up with labels such as smart policing and efficiencies. Up to 140 Garda stations have been closed over the past 18 months. The number of Garda vehicles and personnel has been significantly reduced. This has had an effect in urban areas...

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: The Tánaiste claims he respects the rights of trade union members to make their own determination on Croke Park II. That is just code for killing off any debate or criticism of this flawed agreement in this Chamber.

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: If the Tánaiste is so anxious and so committed to respecting the views of public sector workers, as well as their right to make a determination on the agreement and its cutbacks, how is it the Minister for Justice and Equality is so hell-bent on silencing members of the Garda Síochána, be they rank and file or sergeants, if they are critical of the strategy pursued by the...

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: All of the honeyed words about the good work these men and women do counts for nothing-----

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: -----if the Government is intent not alone on cutting their professional resources but also their means of providing for their families. To add insult to injury, the Government does not want them to open their mouths-----

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: -----to raise criticism. That is simply wrong. Other public servants have set out clearly their opposition to this new programme of cutbacks under Croke Park II.

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: Gardaí are also entitled to defend their professional resources, as well as themselves and their families. Will the Tánaiste have a word with the Minister for Justice and Equality to diplomatically advise him that it is in no one's interests for him to pursue a vindictive position in respect of the gardaí who should not be silenced? Yes, they need to be disciplined.

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: They should not be silenced as citizens of this State, however.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (28 Mar 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if, in view of the fact that we are a year on from the joint statement from An Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister, he will detail the outstanding issues yet to be implemented in the Good Friday and St. Andrews agreements; and the actions taken by the Government to ensure its full implementation. [15536/13]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Presidency Issues (28 Mar 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide further information on his visit to the Northern Ireland Assembly to discuss Ireland’s Presidency of the European Union; and if any decisions were made to ensure the Presidency has a strong North-South dimension. [15520/13]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Sports Facilities Provision (28 Mar 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide details of any sports pitches and or facilities under the ownership of his Department in the Dublin central and surrounding areas; and if these are being used by local schools. [15804/13]

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform: National Lottery Bill 2012: Committee Stage (27 Mar 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: I move amendment No. 44: In page 26, line 31, after “Office.” to insert “Such disclosure will not be used to apply taxation on National Lottery prize monies.”.This amendment relates to the provision in section 49 requiring the operator to disclose specific information on prize winners to the office of the Revenue Commissioners for the purpose of administering the...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform: National Lottery Bill 2012: Committee Stage (27 Mar 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: I think that is good practice for all concerned but, given that there is no intention to tax winnings, the position would be stronger if it was stated in the legislation.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform: National Lottery Bill 2012: Committee Stage (27 Mar 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: Obviously the Minister is not responsible for tax law but the national lottery and the issues arising around prize moneys and donations to good causes are in his remit. I argue that it should be stated clearly in legislation. I do not think it should be put into the licence. I accept his word that there is no intention to tax these moneys but I remind him of the financial emergency...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform: National Lottery Bill 2012: Committee Stage (27 Mar 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: Given that he has praised the controls the national lottery currently has in place, I presume the Minister is minded to replicate them in the terms and conditions of the new licence.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform: National Lottery Bill 2012: Committee Stage (27 Mar 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: If we avail of the briefing the Minister has offered with his advisers, there should be an eye to data protection and a range of other issues. It is important that checks and balances are included in the licence and not left to the discretion of the operator.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform: National Lottery Bill 2012: Committee Stage (27 Mar 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: It is a broader issue.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform: National Lottery Bill 2012: Committee Stage (27 Mar 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: I presume this is a work in progress and that the Minister has not settled on a precise formula.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform: National Lottery Bill 2012: Committee Stage (27 Mar 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: I take it as read that the objective is to maximise the revenue for good causes.