Results 541-560 of 5,902 for speaker:Frank Feighan

Seanad: Tax Code: Motion. (2 Nov 2005)

Frank Feighan: The new coalition partner.

Seanad: Tax Code: Motion. (2 Nov 2005)

Frank Feighan: I second the amendment tabled by Fine Gael and welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, to the House. I am an optimist by nature. I normally consider the glass to be half full rather than half empty. The Progressive Democrats' motion is aspirational in nature. However, if this discussion was taking place in five years' time, I would prefer to see the PDs in Government with Fianna Fáil...

Seanad: Tax Code: Motion. (2 Nov 2005)

Frank Feighan: The Minister of State is being very flippant about the backbone of this country. As someone once said, Ireland is a nation of small shopkeepers. They are the people who created the employment ——

Seanad: Tax Code: Motion. (2 Nov 2005)

Frank Feighan: They are the people who set up this country and who employ people. This Government has turned its back on small businesses and created an environment where bigger is better and only large businesses can avail of economies of scale. If there is a downturn in this economy, there will be no small businesses left, which are its backbone. Irish competitiveness has been seriously eroded by a sharp...

Seanad: Tax Code: Motion. (2 Nov 2005)

Frank Feighan: That was lip-service. I have heard it ——

Seanad: Tax Code: Motion. (2 Nov 2005)

Frank Feighan: I have heard it so often.

Seanad: Tax Code: Motion. (2 Nov 2005)

Frank Feighan: There are 156,400 people on the live register. How can the Minister of State explain that? I do not think he can.

Seanad: Tax Code: Motion. (2 Nov 2005)

Frank Feighan: There are 156,400 people on the live register as and from 7 October 2005.

Seanad: Tax Code: Motion. (2 Nov 2005)

Frank Feighan: That is the CSO analysis of the live register.

Seanad: Tax Code: Motion. (2 Nov 2005)

Frank Feighan: The figure is 156,000 and the Minister of State is trivialising the amount of people on the register. Some 30,000 manufacturing jobs have been lost over the past three years, by 23 August 2005 ——

Seanad: Tax Code: Motion. (2 Nov 2005)

Frank Feighan: These are CSO figures ——

Seanad: Tax Code: Motion. (2 Nov 2005)

Frank Feighan: These are CSO figures with which the Senator cannot argue.

Seanad: Tax Code: Motion. (2 Nov 2005)

Frank Feighan: With regard to benchmarking ——

Seanad: Tax Code: Motion. (2 Nov 2005)

Frank Feighan: Benchmarking should have been renegotiated to ensure real reform of the public sector. Years ago, politicians had an input, or at least people thought they had, into the health sector. Now they have no input. The Government has created a junta whereby Departments, health services and local authorities have their own power, which they can abuse. People in such bodies have given themselves...

Seanad: Tax Code: Motion. (2 Nov 2005)

Frank Feighan: I did not suggest bringing back the health boards ——

Seanad: Tax Code: Motion. (2 Nov 2005)

Frank Feighan: I cannot get through on the telephone to, or get a letter answered by, the Health Service Executive.

Seanad: Tax Code: Motion. (2 Nov 2005)

Frank Feighan: At one time one actually received a reply from the health board and politicians had a say on those boards. Now we have transferred power to bureaucrats and people who have no responsibility to the electorate. This is another example of the Government's leasing out policy.

Seanad: Tax Code: Motion. (2 Nov 2005)

Frank Feighan: I must admit ——

Seanad: Tax Code: Motion. (2 Nov 2005)

Frank Feighan: The fee for a standard, ten-year passport has increased from €55 to €75. If a person wants to get a passport quickly ——

Seanad: Tax Code: Motion. (2 Nov 2005)

Frank Feighan: If a person wants a passport quickly, he or she must pay an additional €50. It is embarrassing.