Results 2,561-2,580 of 4,810 for speaker:Liam Twomey

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

Liam Twomey: Senator Callely may have misunderstood some of what I said. If one has people working for one or if one works with people, one must negotiate with them, regardless of what one may think of their points of view. A position must be reached. As it stands, Government policy in dealing with this issue is purely to make cuts. All negotiations between public sector unions and the Government are...

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

Liam Twomey: I oppose the section because our amendments have been ruled out of order. Fine Gael accepts there must be some cuts to the public sector payroll but the issue for us is we do not want the lower paid in the public service to be affected by the reduction. We want them to be protected and that is why I oppose the section.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (18 Dec 2009)

Liam Twomey: It is proposed that we complete section 2 and then take a half hour break.

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

Liam Twomey: Now.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (18 Dec 2009)

Liam Twomey: I second the amendment. This is important because it means the Minister may change how this legislation affects all workers or a group of workers in the Civil Service or public service. I refer to the issue of the Taoiseach's remuneration which we discussed earlier. I thank the official from the Department of Finance for giving me additional information on this. It occurred to me afterwards...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (18 Dec 2009)

Liam Twomey: The Minister of State did not answer the questions I asked about whether a ministerial regulation was needed.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (18 Dec 2009)

Liam Twomey: I second the amendment. Will the Minister of State clarify the status of Anglo Irish Bank? Is it merely that the State is the only shareholder of a bank? Would it be the same as if the Government bought Tipperary Water, that it would simply own it as a company? Does Anglo Irish Bank have specific status in a way that the Government can manipulate it and affect how it is run?

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

Liam Twomey: Deputy Enda Kenny's proposal is to put in a referendum to the people the question of whether we need to have two Chambers in the Oireachtas. Ultimately, it is the people who will decide what type of system we will have for the future. In the here and now those who are most important in considering the issue of reform within the Oireachtas are the parties in government. There have been...

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

Liam Twomey: It would require a referendum.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

Liam Twomey: It would require a referendum.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jan 2010)

Liam Twomey: We do; they sit behind the Senator.

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Jan 2010)

Liam Twomey: There is an unbelievable crisis throughout the country - County Wexford is no different from anywhere else - with regard to the state of the road network, a matter to which many Members referred yesterday. Following his contribution at yesterday's meeting of the Joint Committee on Transport, the Minister for Transport, Deputy Dempsey, has lined himself up to become identified as the Minister...

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Feb 2010)

Liam Twomey: I call for a quorum. Notice taken that 12 Members were not present; House counted and 12 Members being present,

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2010)

Liam Twomey: I ask for an urgent debate on the way we send people to prison. In 2008 one third of the prison population were non-nationals, the majority of whom were awaiting deportation. There was an 88% increase between 2007 and 2008 in the number imprisoned because they had not paid their fines. It was clearly stated in the House on a number of occasions that this was a daft policy to follow. The...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2010)

Liam Twomey: He is more aware of it——

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2010)

Liam Twomey: On a point of order——

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2010)

Liam Twomey: On a point of order, if the Senator can indicate what the Government is doing at present, we will outline what we intend to do in the future.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2010)

Liam Twomey: I will repeat what I said. If the Senator can indicate what the Government is doing at present, we will outline what we intend to do in the future.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Feb 2010)

Liam Twomey: I do not know how to follow those comments. I wish George Lee well in the future. His contribution to politics was brief but it illustrated the hard work done by politicians and the lonely existence many of us experience in politics. That should highlight how difficult a life in politics can be. It is no easy ticket for anyone who gets involved. We should have a good discussion about...

Seanad: Energy (Biofuel Obligation and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (9 Feb 2010)

Liam Twomey: The concept of the green agenda is fine until it is tested and it is in legislation such as this that we will test it. Interestingly, the Minister has said one of the objectives of the Government and other EU member state governments is to ensure there will be no adverse consequences for consumers, the environment or those living where the products needed will be grown or extracted. In...