James Geoghegan
Dublin Bay South · Fine Gael · Ireland
“I say, in a non-partisan way, that it would be helpful if other political parties carried out an exercise similar to the one we are carrying out and if they presented different papers.”
“I welcome the opportunity to debate such a significant issue. It is helpful that this debate is being framed from a line Department perspective in that it has begun by looking at the fiscal implications of a united Ireland. It would be helpful if we also had a debate on the implications for education and health of a united Ireland.”
“Obviously, none of that will be sufficient unless we can demonstrate to every community in Northern Ireland that the country will be an inclusive place, but we in Ireland have shown just how inclusive we can be. I am 41 years old.”
“With the passage of time, however, any fair and impartial observer would recognise that institutional benefit of ensuring that Ireland and the United Kingdom had a joint role in the affairs of Northern Ireland proved to be instrumental in all the subsequent peace agreements we ultimately arrived at.”
“However, nobody can underestimate the challenges the State faces in persuading a population that is very sceptical that we would we welcome them to this country and that we could provide a state that would function.”
“He highlighted the euro, which is important. If we think back to the Scottish referendum, one of the biggest reasons it failed was because the Scottish people were not certain whether they were going to have the British pound or the euro.”
The complete record
Every one of 352 lines we hold for James Geoghegan, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 8 of 8.
“I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Richmond, for his kind remarks. I wish him well in his new role as Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs. I commend each of the negotiators in the three groupings of Fine Gael, which is my own party, Fianna Fáil and the regional Independents for coming together and developing this programme for Government. It is an ambitious programme focused on delivery. In particular, I want to highlight the package of supports for small and medium-sized businesses, including a reduction in VAT, reduced childcare costs of €200 per family over the lifetime of the Government and better access to disability services, with a senior Minister focused on driving a better system.”
“As this is the first time I have spoken in the Dáil, I want to thank the constituents of Dublin Bay South and my family and friends for getting me here. The programme for Government contains a very clear commitment that the city centre task force report for Dublin will be implemented in full. Does the Tánaiste agree that we cannot police our way out of problems in Dublin city? We need to deliver a liveable city and give people reasons to come into the city centre. When does the Tánaiste expect the interdepartmental group charged with implementing the recommendations of the task force to report to the Government? When that group reports, does the Tánaiste expect it will include recommendations in relation to funding? If we cannot fund the recommendations, we cannot deliver on them.”