Results 2,501-2,520 of 4,465 for speaker:Jim Walsh

Seanad: Proposed Bankruptcy Legislation (26 Jan 2012)

Jim Walsh: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit go dtí an Teach. I drafted my Adjournment matter about two weeks ago but it has been overtaken by events yesterday. In that regard, I welcome the publication of the heads of the Bill to deal with this fairly intractable problem. The 12 year bankruptcy provisions we have are the most onerous in the EU and are very punitive. They apply to a different...

Seanad: Proposed Bankruptcy Legislation (26 Jan 2012)

Jim Walsh: I thank the Minister of State for her reply. I am pleased with it. Many people are suffering as a consequence of the financial circumstances in which they have found themselves. Many people have committed suicide. There is a need for urgency in this respect. I welcome the Minister of State's comments in that regard. She did not mention anything about the debt resolution agency. I urge...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Feb 2012)

Jim Walsh: I welcome the undertaking by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, to review the allowances that are paid across the public service. I recall being invited to a meeting of representative of one of the teachers' unions in Wexford at the time the crisis first emerged. When I queried the attendees on aspects of the issues they were discussing, I discovered that...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2012)

Jim Walsh: I second amendment No.2 proposed by Senator Byrne, that Seanad Éireann calls on the Government to convey to the Holy See at official level and through existing diplomatic channels that it would welcome the opportunity of extending an official invitation to Pope Benedict XVI to visit Ireland at a time of mutual convenience.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2012)

Jim Walsh: He has.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2012)

Jim Walsh: If I may continue-----

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2012)

Jim Walsh: I propose amendment No. 2. to the Order of Business, that No. 6 be taken.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2012)

Jim Walsh: Yes. When Pope John Paul II visited in 1979, there was a tremendous response from the people and it was a time of joy and hope. In 2010, when Pope Benedict XVI came to the neighbouring island, despite advance criticism and certain elements of media hostility, he was very well received and there was a tremendous positive reaction in Britain. I spoke to somebody in the House of Commons...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2012)

Jim Walsh: Will the Leader accept the motion and intention on an all-party basis in the House? That would send a clear signal that the Seanad would at least play its part in giving an indication to the Government. I do not believe this would cause disquiet to the Tánaiste, based on his comments, and some of the wording in the motion is a reflection of precisely what was said by the Tánaiste to the...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2012)

Jim Walsh: There should be no difficulty in that case.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2012)

Jim Walsh: We should be proactive, not reactive.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2012)

Jim Walsh: If the Leader will agree to meet the Whips with a view to drawing up a new motion, I will not divide the House on this matter. However, we will not resile from the sentiment of our motion. Perhaps the Leader will indicate whether he is willing to do as I suggest. I would welcome a motion to which everyone could subscribe.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2012)

Jim Walsh: No. The Leader's proposal is reasonable provided the motion remains on the Order Paper.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2012)

Jim Walsh: So it will be possible to move it again next week if we are not satisfied.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2012)

Jim Walsh: I will withdraw the amendment in the interests of getting all-party agreement on this issue. It is to be hoped all parties can come together and agree a wording acceptable to all.

Seanad: Priorities in Foreign Affairs: Statements (2 Feb 2012)

Jim Walsh: Two minutes is very tight but I will do my best. I join in the welcome to the Tánaiste, who is a man for whom I have some admiration. I dealt with him in the past when he served in a previous Administration in the 1990s as a member of Democratic Left and always have found him to be a fair and committed politician. I also wish him well in the chairmanship of the OSCE. Two highly...

Seanad: Priorities in Foreign Affairs: Statements (2 Feb 2012)

Jim Walsh: I beg the Cathaoirleach's indulgence just for a minute to move on to a couple of items I would like to raise. Dr. Massimo Introvigne, who I know, was the special representative but the Tánaiste has replaced him with Mrs. Justice Catherine McGuinness. Dr. Introvigne was particularly keen on dealing specifically with racism and xenophobia and in particular with the persecution of Christians....

Seanad: Priorities in Foreign Affairs: Statements (2 Feb 2012)

Jim Walsh: ----- now find themselves, Christians are being persecuted. Some have been raped and others have been murdered. In his response, the Tánaiste might comment on the Assad regime and what might replace it because it appears to me that its replacement could be highly dangerous for minorities from both the aforementioned countries.

Seanad: Priorities in Foreign Affairs: Statements (2 Feb 2012)

Jim Walsh: My concern is that the Sunnis could be worse.

Seanad: Priorities in Foreign Affairs: Statements (2 Feb 2012)

Jim Walsh: Three in Paris and three in the United States.