Results 121-140 of 234 for speaker:Michael Mulcahy

Pharmaceutical Pricing: Statements (28 Feb 2008)

Michael Mulcahy: A large number of meetings took place with public representatives in various constituencies at which pharmacists vented their feelings. Was the Minister impressed by some of the people who made representations? Many Members are in politics long enough to know when people are genuine, and there is a genuine fear on the part of some small pharmacies that they will go out of business with the...

Cluster Munitions Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (9 Apr 2008)

Michael Mulcahy: I join my colleagues in genuinely congratulating Deputy Timmins and the Fine Gael Party on introducing this Bill. I do not believe there is one person in the House who disagrees with the spirit of the intention behind it. During the previous Dáil, I had the honour to be a member of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs. One of my principal interests was the subject of nuclear...

Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (23 Apr 2008)

Michael Mulcahy: I am delighted to be able to contribute to this debate and speak in favour of the Lisbon treaty, the reform treaty. It is worth remembering how we got to this stage. With the accession of the eastern European states and others, the European Union became much larger and now consists of 27 member states. We had the famous convention, which was composed of members of national parliaments,...

Lisbon Treaty: Statements. (18 Jun 2008)

Michael Mulcahy: I want to share time with Deputy Cyprian Brady, if the House agrees. Last Thursday, 12 June 2008, the Irish people rejected the Lisbon reform treaty by a margin of 53.4% to 46.6%. Nobody can say that there was not a full debate, or query the level of turnout — 53.13% as opposed to 34.9% in the first Nice treaty referendum and 49.47% in the second Nice treaty referendum. Many different...

Written Answers — Military Escorts: Military Escorts (2 Jul 2008)

Michael Mulcahy: Question 92: To ask the Minister for Defence the amount paid by the banks for the Army cash-in-transit service in each of the years 2004 to 2007 inclusive; the number of Army cash escort duties performed in 2007 and to date in 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25540/08]

Public Private Partnerships: Motion (Resumed). (9 Jul 2008)

Michael Mulcahy: I commend the Labour Party for having tabled this motion.

Public Private Partnerships: Motion (Resumed). (9 Jul 2008)

Michael Mulcahy: Housing is one of the most important things that any Government or local authority can provide. On this occasion, it is appropriate to focus on the housing issue. I was privileged to be a member of Dublin City Council for 17 years, from 1985 to 2002. For all of that period I was on the council's housing committee. I have a deep commitment to all types of social and affordable housing. I...

Public Private Partnerships: Motion (Resumed). (9 Jul 2008)

Michael Mulcahy: We must examine the causes of that. From 2002 to 2007 in particular, Dublin City Council failed for whatever reasons, although I will exclude one reason presently. The council has not managed to build the requisite number of social houses needed for its jurisdictional area.

Public Private Partnerships: Motion (Resumed). (9 Jul 2008)

Michael Mulcahy: As I understand it, there has not been any significant, or indeed any, limit on funding for housing projects from national Government to local authorities in the 2002-07 period. I received a document only yesterday from the management of Dublin City Council, the figures of which were given to the council's SPC. The document contains charts which clearly show a target, a revised target and...

Public Private Partnerships: Motion (Resumed). (9 Jul 2008)

Michael Mulcahy: We have a new Minister of State with responsibility for housing, Deputy Finneran, and I spoke to him about what is going on in Dublin city. I believe that the city needs a housing action plan, driven by a clear indication of need. The last analysis carried out by Dublin City Council for which we have figures dates back to 2005. I am aware that the council is preparing another analysis that...

Public Private Partnerships: Motion (Resumed). (9 Jul 2008)

Michael Mulcahy: The developer would say that half way through these schemes, the goal posts were moved and higher specifications were put in which would make the projects unviable.

Public Private Partnerships: Motion (Resumed). (9 Jul 2008)

Michael Mulcahy: I am sorry to see that the Labour Party is still stuck in the 1960s. Developers are not in the charity business and we cannot attract private capital if the developer is not able to make a profit on projects. The whole idea behind public private partnerships is that a developer comes in, is able to sell a certain number of units at a profit and thereby assist the council's housing programme.

Public Private Partnerships: Motion (Resumed). (9 Jul 2008)

Michael Mulcahy: The whole point is that the deal is kept. I welcome the motion because there is a serious issue regarding housing in Dublin. The primary fault for this lies with the city councils. I call for a three-year action plan. I want the Minister of State to bring in the four city managers, perhaps in conjunction with all the relevant TDs for Dublin, produce a plan and execute it. I demand action now.

Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (1 Oct 2008)

Michael Mulcahy: I will join in the spirit of the last several contributions by refraining from the temptation of making a Second Stage speech. Instead, I will address myself strictly to Deputy Burton's proposed amendment. The Minister and Taoiseach have already said that the Opposition has been generous in its support for the principle of the Bill. It is never easy for an Opposition to take a Government...

Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (1 Oct 2008)

Michael Mulcahy: ——when the former is given little time to examine a document. This is the case no matter which party is in opposition. In fairness, we only received this document at approximately 9 p.m. last night. None of us has had much time to consider it. All parties supporting the principle of the Bill are to be congratulated on engaging with the spirit of this endeavour. That is essential....

Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (1 Oct 2008)

Michael Mulcahy: I have not——

Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (1 Oct 2008)

Michael Mulcahy: Let me finish. This is very important legislation and the Government must be generous and listen to the words of wisdom when they arise from the Opposition with regard to proposed amendments in this Bill, as the Minister is asking the nation to assume a very large responsibility.

Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (1 Oct 2008)

Michael Mulcahy: Given the content of section 6(5), it would be a better idea that there should be a requirement on the Minister to have such a scheme passed by the House, rather than put the onus on the House to bring a motion to annul such a scheme. I mean this in a positive sense.

Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (1 Oct 2008)

Michael Mulcahy: I will be totally open and honest with all good suggestions.

Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (1 Oct 2008)

Michael Mulcahy: This is going a little away from the matter of the amendment but I fully support the notion. As for constitutional responsibility, that is the purpose of our Ministers. It is the job of the Minister to come to the House, to be fully accountable and to say "I have made this scheme", or "I have made this financial arrangement, I am standing here, I am proud of it and I am prepared to be...