Results 221-240 of 1,591 for speaker:Eugene Regan

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Apr 2008)

Eugene Regan: Intentionally.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Apr 2008)

Eugene Regan: I used the word "corrupt" intentionally and I do not intend to withdraw the remark. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, denied former Taoiseach, Charles Haughey, was a corrupt politician.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Apr 2008)

Eugene Regan: That is fine. I use that term because using political office to secure moneys for personal use is, in any western democracy, corruption. I challenge anyone to deny that. The Government is in denial about the economy. The remarks made this morning prove this. Former Taoiseach, Dr. Garret FitzGerald reduced inflation during the years 1981 to 1987 from 20.4% to 3.1%.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Apr 2008)

Eugene Regan: He had to make painful political decisions.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Apr 2008)

Eugene Regan: Uncontrolled Government expenditure of the Haughey years was brought under control.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Apr 2008)

Eugene Regan: This was followed by the Tallaght strategy introduced by former Deputy Alan Dukes. We then had, from 1994 to 1997, a Government led by former Deputy John Bruton with Deputy Ruairí Quinn as Minister for Finance. These are facts Fianna Fáil and the Government do not want to face up to. We had growth rates of 8%, on average——

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Apr 2008)

Eugene Regan: I am calling for an honest debate. We have heard remarks about the economy——

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Apr 2008)

Eugene Regan: I take the Cathaoirleach's point. I am entitled to establish the basis upon which the debate is needed. Currently, we have a growth rate of 1.8%, the lowest since the 1980s, inflation is at 4.8%, unemployment levels are at their highest in a decade and we have a current account deficit of €10 billion, the highest in the history of the State. We can blame international factors for much of...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Apr 2008)

Eugene Regan: Management of the economy is what we need to discuss.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Apr 2008)

Eugene Regan: We cannot blame the international situation for management of our public finances.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Apr 2008)

Eugene Regan: Our public finances are out of control. We have a budgeted deficit of €5 billion and we are exceeding that already.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Apr 2008)

Eugene Regan: I wish the Taoiseach designate, Deputy Brian Cowen, well in tackling this economic mess as the Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern, leaves office. It is a mess that contrasts so sharply with the state of the economy when former Taoisigh Dr. Garret FitzGerald and John Bruton left office.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Apr 2008)

Eugene Regan: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Apr 2008)

Eugene Regan: I hope that prior to the finish of the debate on the Lisbon treaty, Senator Norris can be brought around to vote "Yes". He raises an interesting question as to why we will have a referendum in Ireland. It is not for constitutional reasons. It is because we have a tradition of having referenda in light of the Crotty judgment of 1986.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Apr 2008)

Eugene Regan: The reason other member states do not have referenda is because they do not consider that the treaty has constitutional implications. It is also a question of sovereignty that each member state in accordance with its constitutional traditions will decide how it adopts treaty changes. This is an important point. With regard to the Lisbon treaty, I wish to take up the remarks of Senator...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (22 Apr 2008)

Eugene Regan: It most certainly was not.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2008)

Eugene Regan: I second the Senator Donohoe's amendment to the Order of Business on the Dublin Transport Authority Bill. It is important legislation. Since we commenced this Seanad, we have amended three Bills because of errors in them. It is important that time is permitted for the taking of such an extensive Bill. On a transport-related matter, I ask that the Minister for Transport be invited to come...

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Apr 2008)

Eugene Regan: While a debate on the referendum Bill on the Lisbon treaty, in respect of which there has been ongoing discussion in the House, has been arranged, I wish to comment on recent polls detailing how narrow the vote on the referendum will be. Judging from the experience of the first Nice treaty referendum, people either do not tend to turn out or vote "No" when there is a lack of information....

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Apr 2008)

Eugene Regan: The President of the European Parliament, Mr. Hans-Gert Pöttering, MEP, confirmed in the House that the treaty would have no effect.

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Apr 2008)

Eugene Regan: I appreciate the Cathaoirleach's help. Herr Pöttering confirmed that there would be no impact on Ireland's corporation tax rate. The President of the European Commission, José Manuel Durão Barroso, confirmed this position emphatically when speaking at the National Forum on Europe, as did the chairman of the Referendum Commission. It is important to stop this lie. The other lies...