Results 101-120 of 216 for speaker:Margaret Conlon

Agriculture: Motion (2 Dec 2008)

Margaret Conlon: By the end of 2009, some €2.3 billion will have been paid to tens of thousands of Irish farmers in disadvantaged area payments this decade. This is a concrete fact and a reality of the delivery of Fianna Fáil in government to the farmers of Ireland.

Agriculture: Motion (2 Dec 2008)

Margaret Conlon: Deputy Crawford has had his opportunity, and I did not interrupt Deputy Bannon. The budget and Finance Bill extend a number of tax reliefs that are of specific benefit to the agri-sector, worth €65 million per annum. I am delighted that the REP scheme will continue in order to ensure it can continue to accommodate farmers wishing to join in 2009. The REPS allocation for 2009 will be...

Agriculture: Motion (2 Dec 2008)

Margaret Conlon: In five or ten years' time, people will understand why we did this and will respect us for framing this very unpopular budget. In 2009, national expenditure will exceed revenue by €4.7 billion. This is more than €1,000 for every man, woman and child in this country. Finally, if we return to the days of crazy budgetary management, what will our children think of how we performed as...

Agriculture: Motion (2 Dec 2008)

Margaret Conlon: Agriculture has always played an important role in our economy and will continue to do so into the future.

Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2008)

Margaret Conlon: I will share time with Deputy Beverley Flynn. I thank the Ceann Comhairle for affording me an opportunity to contribute on Second Stage of the Health Bill 2008. The issue of medical cards for elderly people has been most emotive, with many people fearing that all medical cards would be taken from those aged over 70 years. Such a step was never intended. Hearing people from my parents'...

Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2008)

Margaret Conlon: We must target resources at those who need them most. It is important we devote scarce resources — taxpayers' funds — to meet the needs of those who most require health services. Anyone with income above the threshold who has difficulty meeting his or her medical needs will be eligible to apply for a medical card under the Health Service Executive's discretionary card scheme. The new...

Court Accommodation. (3 Feb 2009)

Margaret Conlon: Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach as an deis an t-ábhar tábhachtach seo a phlé. I am grateful for the opportunity to raise this important matter. The courthouse in Castleblayney is a mid-19th century Italianate building which occupies an important island site in the town centre. Its unique design means it can be viewed from all sides. However, following neglect and abandonment...

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (4 Feb 2009)

Margaret Conlon: Chuir an Taoiseach an plean atá ag an Rialtas os comhair na Dála inné. Ceapaim go gcuideoidh a bhfuil ráite ag an Taoiseach inné le smachtú caitheachais. Rinne an Rialtas an-iarracht aghaidh a thabhairt ar na deachrachtaí. Táimid i gruachás. Teastaíonn cabhair uainn. Caithfimid go léir tarraingt le chéile. The decisions taken yesterday were necessary to help stabilise the...

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (4 Feb 2009)

Margaret Conlon: ——otherwise, we can bury our heads in the sand and in four or five years face up to stark reality and face horrendous cuts, greater than those included in yesterday's announcement. As a former teacher, I welcome that within the capital budget €150 million has been specifically earmarked for school building and insulation-energy efficiency measures. The re-tendering process pursued by...

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (4 Feb 2009)

Margaret Conlon: Domestic pressures in the economy, in particular the sudden halt in the construction sector, are being made worse by the parallel weakening of sterling. Since presentation of budget 2009 last October, the economic climate has worsened. We are borrowing €18 billion or almost €4,500 for every man, woman and child in the State, which is huge.

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (4 Feb 2009)

Margaret Conlon: We are paying for approximately 32% of current spending, including pay, through borrowing, which is totally unsustainable, and it is inconceivable that we would continue to borrow to fund current expenditure.

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (4 Feb 2009)

Margaret Conlon: We are in uncharted waters economically and the only way forward is to act together to take collective pain. Further disastrous Exchequer figures for January were released yesterday and they show tax receipts were €900 million down on January 2008. The Opposition parties also have serious national responsibilities in this unprecedented time of crisis. The problems we face as a State are...

Written Answers — North-South Ministerial Council: North-South Ministerial Council (11 Feb 2009)

Margaret Conlon: Question 127: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the outcome of the recent North-South Ministerial Council sectoral meeting. [4935/09]

Written Answers — Animal Diseases: Animal Diseases (11 Feb 2009)

Margaret Conlon: Question 135: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans to progress the herd health initiative. [4934/09]

Banking System: Motion (25 Feb 2009)

Margaret Conlon: Gabhaim buíochas as ucht an deis labhairt anocht. Dúirt mé cheana féin sa Teach go raibh an tír seo i gcruachás. Tá sin fíor fós. Is eol dúinn uilig go bhfuil cúrsaí go dona, ach caithfimid obair le chéile chun réiteach a fháil. Caithfimid admháil gur ar mhaithe le leas na tíre a tógadh an cinneadh an Banc Anglo Irish a náisiúnú. Tá fadhbanna lenár bancanna, ach...

Written Answers — Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy (24 Mar 2009)

Margaret Conlon: Question 99: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the additional funds that will be available to him in 2010 in terms of unused EU funds and additional compulsory modulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11875/09]

Written Answers — Animal Health Standards: Animal Health Standards (24 Mar 2009)

Margaret Conlon: Question 98: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress being made by Animal Health Ireland in relation to the commitment in the Programme for Government to introduce a herd health initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11876/09]

Social Welfare: Motion (Resumed) (1 Apr 2009)

Margaret Conlon: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate. The economic recession that grips our country has caused an unbelievable increase in workload at our social welfare offices and for community welfare officers throughout the country. The Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Mary Hanafin, acknowledged last night that waiting times are too long in some offices. Tackling this...

Cystic Fibrosis: Motion (9 Apr 2009)

Margaret Conlon: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the discussion today. We must recognise there has been significant progress in recent years in the development of services in all areas of illness but particularly for people with cystic fibrosis. There is always room for improvement and for further advances. I know and have met sufferers, female and male, young people in their teens and 20s, who...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (6 May 2009)

Margaret Conlon: Question 113: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of Irish Troops serving on UN mandated missions; the location of those missions involving more than 12 Irish Defence Force personnel; the expected duration of these missions; if he expects Irish participation in any of these missions to come to an end in the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17653/09]