Results 101-120 of 20,471 for speaker:Mary Lou McDonald

Commission of Inquiry into Banking Sector: Statements (20 Apr 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: It is only now, when the limitations and jeopardies of membership of the euro are clear, that we are having this discussion. When Professor Nyberg makes reference in his report to group-think and to the herd mentality he is referring to that phenomenon. Given that the incoming Administration is largely pursuing the same path as the previous one, which it so heavily criticised, we are not...

Energy Resources: Motion (Resumed) (20 Apr 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: I wish to share time with Deputy Pearse Doherty. To listen to Deputies from the Government benches, one would imagine that Shell, Statoil and the great and good of the exploration world were in Ireland to enjoy the air or perhaps take to the high seas with Deputy Ferris. Deputy Lynch should go with them because he is clearly in need of some oxygen. It has become clear in the course of the...

Energy Resources: Motion (Resumed) (20 Apr 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: They know full well that the benefits of the natural resources of this State are not being returned to the people. They should get out from under the shadow of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil and support this motion.

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (20 Apr 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: Question 55: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to ensure the Irish Aviation Authority establishes and maintains an up-to-date register of aircraft known to have been involved in and aircraft operators whose planes have been implicated in rendition and other human rights violations; and his further plans to ensure air traffic control require of these operators...

Order of Business (21 Apr 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: We have been promised statements the week we return from the Easter recess on the revised memorandum of understanding. The revised memorandum has not been published and although it is being discussed in Washington, Frankfurt and God knows where else, Members of this House have not had sight of it. Instead we have been drip-fed elements of the discussions the Government has had with the...

Order of Business (21 Apr 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: Will Deputy Howlin indicate if I am wrong with regard to the sale of State assets?

Order of Business (21 Apr 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: On a point of order-----

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (21 Apr 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: Question 15: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will reassert his support for the findings of the Goldstone report on Gaza; and if so, the steps he is taking to encourage other states in pledging confidence in it. [8772/11]

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (21 Apr 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: Question 33: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding his support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8773/11]

Appointments to State Boards (3 May 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Taoiseach as an fhreagra sin. The soundings the Taoiseach has made with regard to the process for appointment to State bodies is welcome. However, it is a matter of regret that up to 110 people were appointed by the outgoing Government to State boards in the period between the dissolution of the previous Dáil and the formation of the new Government. We all agree...

Appointments to State Boards (3 May 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: I appreciate that the requirements and job specification would be set out, which is absolutely necessary. If the ultimate power of decision is not vested in the committee - if one is to be cynical about it - does it not then simply become an optical exercise? I do not suggest that the committees should become simply blocking mechanisms, but if one were to scrutinise the candidature of any...

Appointments to State Boards (3 May 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: Given that an applicant will set out initially his or her vision for the job based on what he or she can bring thereto, what will be the role of the committee in scrutinising performance on an ongoing basis?

Constitutional Convention (3 May 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: I am not any the wiser about the constitutional convention. I understand the Taoiseach is figuring his way through its composition. Will he assure us that the convention will be all-Ireland in nature? This is a matter we have raised previously. It would be ludicrous to discuss current or future constitutional arrangements and provisions for the country if we were to approach them in a...

Constitutional Convention (3 May 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: Given that the Taoiseach's party also had several Members returned to the Seanad, we are not alone in that regard. It may prove extremely short-sighted to decide that, because the Seanad has been a disaster as it is currently constituted and misused, we should use the blunt instrument of abolishing it. A more considered approach is required, including a public debate. In regard to the...

Leaders' Questions (3 May 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: I am sure the Taoiseach will join me in commending the emergency services whose members spent last weekend fighting gorse fires that threatened farmland and family homes. I have no doubt their sterling work has saved lives. It is ironic that we see such work being done at a time when the public sector and public servants are under threat from the Taoiseach's Administration. The Taoiseach...

Leaders' Questions (3 May 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: In that reality, of course, the decision to pump those billions into Anglo Irish Bank, which the Taoiseach has supported, is not fiscally neutral. The Taoiseach said adjustments will be made. I discern from this that we face further cutbacks in order to give life to this jobs initiative. Can he confirm that? The Taoiseach appears to be hiding behind language. When all the evidence...

Order of Business (3 May 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: I do not believe the Taoiseach would be obliged to go as far as Auckland or Melbourne to find a person to represent the Irish diaspora. Perhaps he might bear in mind those in Britain, for example, who work on behalf of members of the diaspora who have not been so fortunate and who have not experienced the major successes enjoyed by others. I take this opportunity to congratulate the Minister...

Written Answers — Banking Sector Regulation: Banking Sector Regulation (3 May 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: Question 61: To ask the Minister for Finance as the sole shareholder in Anglo Irish Bank and acting on behalf of the State, the actions he will take against the external auditors who gave Irish banks unqualified audit reports in the months preceding the bank guarantee in 2008; the measures he will put in place to ensure that external auditors can be held to account in any future banking...

Written Answers — State Assets: State Assets (3 May 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: Question 66: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will name the commercial semi-State bodies from the Report of the Review Group on State Assets & Liabilities that he has discussed and-or is actively considering selling a whole or part of; the timeframe he will begin this sale process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9662/11]

Leaders' Questions (4 May 2011)

Mary Lou McDonald: The Government has tied us to an EU-IMF deal that explicitly envisages the sale of State assets to write down debt, and that imposes vicious austerity on ordinary people. The result of this is real hardship for people. I do not know whether the Taoiseach saw last night's RTE "Prime Time" programme, which showed the kind of hardship experienced by many communities in Dublin and beyond in this...