Results 2,081-2,100 of 9,753 for speaker:Terry Leyden

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Apr 2006)

Terry Leyden: Nothing concentrates the minds of voters and candidates like the electoral register. It is appropriate that we have a debate now rather than when the election is under way and people are busy canvassing. The census, held on 23 April, is the best possible record of every voter in Ireland. In the past, when finance officers collected the rates, they were also the best people for collecting...

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 May 2006)

Terry Leyden: While the issue was raised last week, will the Leader consider asking the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to come to the House to discuss the electoral register? Some very good suggestions have been made here today on compiling this register. The experience within this House would be of great benefit to the Minister in creating a national plan for a proper register...

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 May 2006)

Terry Leyden: It is an honour for her and for the House.

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 May 2006)

Terry Leyden: I congratulate all the Senators who have been nominated to stand for Dáil Éireann, especially Senator Feighan.

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 May 2006)

Terry Leyden: I wish the Senator well in getting one seat out of three in his constituency. I support the call by Senator O'Meara for a discussion on accident and emergency units. The Tánaiste is coming before the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party this evening, but I call on the Leader to allow for a debate on this issue. In the local hospital in Roscommon, we have an excellent new accident and emergency...

Seanad: National Pensions Reserve Fund: Motion. (3 May 2006)

Terry Leyden: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, to the House. I would like to pick up on the comments which were made by Senator Paddy Burke. The Fianna Fáil Senators are extremely concerned about the lack of pension opportunities for elected members of local authorities. It is absolutely wrong that such people are being deprived of the opportunity to avail of the provisions of the Local...

Seanad: National Pensions Reserve Fund: Motion. (3 May 2006)

Terry Leyden: I appreciate that.

Seanad: National Pensions Reserve Fund: Motion. (3 May 2006)

Terry Leyden: I know this issue is close to the Cathaoirleach's heart.

Seanad: National Pensions Reserve Fund: Motion. (3 May 2006)

Terry Leyden: I was just responding to the comments of Senator Paddy Burke, who spoke well about this issue in Kilkenny.

Seanad: National Pensions Reserve Fund: Motion. (3 May 2006)

Terry Leyden: He gave a clear commitment in this regard on behalf of the leader of the Fine Gael Party. I am not sure whether his commitment that pension schemes will be made available to all councillors if Fine Gael returns to power had been authorised. I again welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, to the House. I am delighted that the Minister, Deputy Cowen, was in attendance earlier in...

Seanad: National Pensions Reserve Fund: Motion. (3 May 2006)

Terry Leyden: The Government is planning for the future. It has made plans for 2025. I am sure the Minister of State will agree there needs to be a clear commitment to the fund on the part of all parties. The Government is committed to the retention of a fund that is independent of the Government. The annual allocation of 1% of GNP to the fund now comes to €1.4 billion per annum. All parties which are...

Seanad: National Pensions Reserve Fund: Motion. (3 May 2006)

Terry Leyden: If the managers of this independent fund believe they will get a return from investing in public private partnerships, nothing will prevent them from making such investments. The Minister would not object to such investments. It is an independent fund. I strongly recommend that the fund should invest in Aer Lingus, for instance. If we are prepared to ask the public to invest its funds in a...

Seanad: National Pensions Reserve Fund: Motion. (3 May 2006)

Terry Leyden: I accept Senator Paddy Burke's point about investing in toll roads if there is a good return on them.

Seanad: National Pensions Reserve Fund: Motion. (3 May 2006)

Terry Leyden: We are talking about the portfolio of investments being made by the National Pensions Reserve Fund. The fund's decision to invest in companies like Imperial Tobacco, Royal Dutch Shell and BP has been criticised. Given that the price of crude oil has increased to $78 a barrel, I think the fund made a wise decision when it decided to invest in Royal Dutch Shell, BP and ExxonMobil.

Seanad: National Pensions Reserve Fund: Motion. (3 May 2006)

Terry Leyden: I am sorry that my time has almost come to an end because I had much more to say — a lot done, more to do.

Seanad: National Pensions Reserve Fund: Motion. (3 May 2006)

Terry Leyden: When one reads the details of the investments made by the fund in companies like Coca-Cola; Fox Entertainment, which is a very good one; BSkyB, in which it has invested €8.2 million; and Microsoft, in which it has invested €47 million, it is clear that it has made some very good investments. There might be questions about the fund's decision to invest in certain companies, like Imperial...

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 May 2006)

Terry Leyden: I support Senator Ryan's request for a debate on the Palestinian situation. I hope the Minister for Foreign Affairs can come in to discuss the issue as a matter of urgency. Can the Leader provide time in next week's schedule to discuss the serious drought in Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia? I commend the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister of State, Deputy Conor Lenihan, as well as the...

Seanad: Energy Strategy: Motion. (17 May 2006)

Terry Leyden: Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 May 2006)

Terry Leyden: I support the call that the House would commend the Garda Commissioner on the excellent handling of the siege in St. Patrick's Cathedral. I compliment the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, the Taoiseach and the Government for holding firm and showing strong Government. If we yielded to that type of blackmail, there would no control on immigrants or Afghans coming here. I would...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 May 2006)

Terry Leyden: I propose — I am sure support will be unanimous — that we send our best wishes to the Garda Commissioner and thank the Garda for its handling of this crisis. I am concerned about the sale of Eircom.