Results 8,081-8,100 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2009)

Alex White: Why is the Government introducing legislation?

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2009)

Alex White: The Minister of State should relax. Is he suggesting Senators may not raise such issues in the House?

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2009)

Alex White: I am speaking now and I am entitled to some respect. The Minister of State should not engage in a hissy fit because a Senator raises an issue. His reaction is outrageous and he should be more careful as to how he reacts to Members. He asked me to read the text, which is precisely what I am doing. He has also told me that the words in Table 1 mean something other than what they state.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2009)

Alex White: Mr. Scargill would be surprised if he knew about the number of mentions he has received in this Chamber since his short, perhaps innocent trip to Ireland a few weeks ago. A day never passes on which he is not mentioned or invoked in some way in order to illustrate points being made. A Leas-Chathaoirligh, am I too late to move the amendment listed with this one, amendment No. 8?

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2009)

Alex White: On the principle underlying Senator Twomey's amendment, amendment No. 13, which provides for the possibility of reversing the pay cuts in the event of what are described as demonstrable improvements in efficiency occur in areas of the public service, I can understand where the Senator is coming from, but I am not sure whether it can be achieved through the amendment he has tabled. However,...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2009)

Alex White: The issues in amendment No. 8 are similar. They reflect the point that it is unquestionably preferable that where agreement can be reached in regard to these issues, it should be sought, pursued and obtained, whether in the workplace or nationally. I have heard a viewpoint, although not necessarily in this Chamber, that it is better for the unions to be seen to be beaten. That is a point...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2009)

Alex White: As did the Government last April.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2009)

Alex White: He is invoked on a daily basis in this House.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2009)

Alex White: I have concerns as to whether what will be achieved by the section is what the Government intends. The Minister of Finance said in his Budget Statement that the salaries of the Taoiseach and Ministers, including Ministers of State, would be reduced by 15% and 20%, respectively, as recommended by the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector in its report published on 11...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2009)

Alex White: There is a conviction; that is the only perspective on it.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2009)

Alex White: I very much hope we can, but it is not clear that we can. The coming year will tell a story. We have come to the end of a long and difficult year for many, although it was not as difficult for those of us who are privileged to have jobs and an opportunity to express our views in this Chamber and have them reported. We should remind ourselves from time to time that we live in a cocoon in...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (17 Dec 2009)

Alex White: I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak on the Bill. My party and I oppose the legislation because we should not seek to have those who earn €30,000 per year or €600 per week take us out of what is, undoubtedly, an economic crisis. That is what we are dealing with. We can talk about ESB craft workers and the belief that talks on public service reform should resume, which I want...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (17 Dec 2009)

Alex White: I am prepared to give way if Senator Harris wants to correct what he said.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (17 Dec 2009)

Alex White: Actually, Standing Orders provide for a speaker giving way to allow for a correction in the interest of debate. I have no difficulty with that.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (17 Dec 2009)

Alex White: The Leas-Chathaoirleach has discretion to add on time at the end of my speech. These divisive attacks on public sector workers are not helping. I seldom have occasion to quote the former Member of the other House, Mr. Joe Higgins. I remember hearing him in a debate against Mr. Michael O'Leary at the time of the Lisbon treaty. Michael O'Leary made the point that he created many jobs. I...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (17 Dec 2009)

Alex White: Other Senators are waiting to speak.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (17 Dec 2009)

Alex White: Senator Norris should show some respect for his colleagues.

Seanad: Budget 2010: Motion (16 Dec 2009)

Alex White: As is the convention, the Cathaoirleach beat me to congratulating Senator Ó Brolcháin on his election to Seanad Éireann and to wish him every good fortune on a personal level in his time here. I do not want to take from my congratulation of him but listening to his most interesting contribution, none of which I could disagree with, it struck me - as some of Senator Ó Brolcháin's...

Seanad: Budget 2010: Motion (16 Dec 2009)

Alex White: Is it not the case that the €4 billion is part of the deficit?

Seanad: Budget 2010: Motion (16 Dec 2009)

Alex White: The madness was of our own making.