Results 19,761-19,780 of 21,260 for speaker:Mary Lou McDonald

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (2 Feb 2012)

Mary Lou McDonald: Question 51: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of social housing units that will be built in the next three years. [5914/12]

Written Answers — Local Authority Staff: Local Authority Staff (2 Feb 2012)

Mary Lou McDonald: Question 48: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to tackle the high pay, pension and abatement arrangements for city and county managers. [5900/12]

Order of Business (2 Feb 2012)

Mary Lou McDonald: I wish to ask the Tánaiste about the children first Bill, especially in respect of the failure of the Garda Inspectorate and its record keeping of sexual offences against children. It was unclear to me whether Deputy Ó Cuív was referring to the legislation for the referendum or this legislation. I realise the Government is committed to introducing this legislation and the Minister,...

Leaders' Questions (2 Feb 2012)

Mary Lou McDonald: I raise the issue of exceptional needs payments, which I understand the Minister for Social Protection is proposing to cut as part of her continuing crusade against families on low incomes. The exceptional needs payment is, by definition, made to families with exceptional needs. Last year, almost 250,000 payments were made under this scheme. Throughout the Government's programme of...

Leaders' Questions (2 Feb 2012)

Mary Lou McDonald: The Tánaiste explained the issue in terms of changing the guidelines when the Government is introducing cutbacks. Increasingly, these payments are availed of not only by individuals and families on social welfare, but also the working poor and families who are finding it difficult to keep the ship afloat. Regardless of the Tánaiste's views of communion, confirmation or any other religious...

Leaders' Questions (2 Feb 2012)

Mary Lou McDonald: -----and a Government that proposes to take €8.5 million out of the pockets-----

Leaders' Questions (2 Feb 2012)

Mary Lou McDonald: -----and off the backs of poor people.

Leaders' Questions (2 Feb 2012)

Mary Lou McDonald: Can I take it that the crusade of the Government and more astonishingly the Labour Party against people on low incomes-----

Leaders' Questions (2 Feb 2012)

Mary Lou McDonald: -----is gathering pace? I want the Government to reverse that decision and inform the House-----

Leaders' Questions (2 Feb 2012)

Mary Lou McDonald: -----that it will not punish-----

Leaders' Questions (2 Feb 2012)

Mary Lou McDonald: -----individuals and families who are only barely hanging on. I suggest to the Tánaiste that the people who put him in that seat opposite me-----

Leaders' Questions (2 Feb 2012)

Mary Lou McDonald: -----expect him to do likewise.

Leaders' Questions (2 Feb 2012)

Mary Lou McDonald: There was a cut to the contributory pension.

Leaders' Questions (2 Feb 2012)

Mary Lou McDonald: The Government has punished the single parents.

Leaders' Questions (2 Feb 2012)

Mary Lou McDonald: It is a cutback.

Leaders' Questions (1 Feb 2012)

Mary Lou McDonald: I read a report in The Irish Times today which quotes an official as stating the European fiscal treaty was specifically crafted to minimise the prospect of a referendum in Ireland. The Taoiseach's line has been that if a referendum is necessary it will be held. He has told us repeatedly he has nothing to fear from a referendum. I put it to the Taoiseach that here we are looking at another...

Leaders' Questions (1 Feb 2012)

Mary Lou McDonald: Allow me to quote from the report: "We drafted the text of the treaty so he - the Taoiseach - has a chance to avoid a referendum". Was that official telling the truth? Did the Taoiseach leave his green jersey behind when he went to negotiate this matter? Did this Government, and officials acting on behalf of this State, collude with other Governments and with EU institutions-----

Leaders' Questions (1 Feb 2012)

Mary Lou McDonald: -----to avoid this treaty having to be put to the people by way of referendum?

Leaders' Questions (1 Feb 2012)

Mary Lou McDonald: The Taoiseach has not answered the question. What I want to know is whether, in the course of this intensive engagement officials from this State, on the direction of this Government, engaged with the European institutions to draft the treaty in such a way as to frustrate the prospect of a referendum in this country. I want the Taoiseach to confirm or deny to the House that this was the...

Leaders' Questions (1 Feb 2012)

Mary Lou McDonald: -----without as much as a nod to the democratic wishes of the people. That is my belief. Will the Taoiseach tell us whether in the course of that intensive engagement officials acting on behalf of this State worked with others to craft a treaty that would frustrate a referendum? I wish to put another question to the Taoiseach-----