Results 241-260 of 14,090 for speaker:Marc MacSharry
- Seanad: Budget Statement 2008: Statements (5 Dec 2007)
Marc MacSharry: This is a budget of investment in our future. It is about promoting and protecting the environment. It introduces measures which do not penalise people for supporting the environment but incentivises them to realise their responsibilities for the future. This planet is not just for us and the Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and other parties of today but for our children and their children. In...
- Seanad: Budget Statement 2008: Statements (5 Dec 2007)
Marc MacSharry: ââit reaches Sligo. Senator Healy Eames is aware of my commitment to that. With regard to taxation, we have again tried to ensure that people on the lowest incomes are either kept out of the tax net or pay the minimum amount of tax. This is most important and must be welcomed. Approximately 80% of budget expenditure is in the areas of health, education and social welfare. To be able...
- Seanad: Budget Statement 2008: Statements (Resumed) (5 Dec 2007)
Marc MacSharry: I read the whole of the budget.
- Seanad: Budget Statement 2008: Statements (Resumed). (5 Dec 2007)
Marc MacSharry: Tomorrow at 10.30 a.m.
- Seanad: National Waste Strategy: Statements (6 Feb 2008)
Marc MacSharry: I am pleased to have the opportunity to contribute on this issue. The Minister of State's speech demonstrates that we have come a significant way with regard to waste, particularly considering the situation in the 1980s when landfill was at the summit of our waste management strategy. It was the only option available to us at the time and there was little or no talk, other than an...
- Seanad: Order of Business (19 Feb 2008)
Marc MacSharry: As a matter of urgency, could the Leader arrange for the appropriate Minister to attend the House for a debate on the image of Seanad Ãireann, in particular on how to improve it? As I am sure we are all aware at this point, the image of Seanad Ãireann is low in the minds of most people in terms of its usefulness and the role it plays. It is not an extreme statement to make that our public...
- Seanad: Order of Business (19 Feb 2008)
Marc MacSharry: To clarify my position, I was speaking on the Order of Business and asking for a debate on the image of Seanad Ãireann as a matter of urgency. It was coincidental but opportune that the Cathaoirleach made his comments, which I welcome. We cannot criticise aimlessly the media coverage of the House and its workings. We must deal with the situation ourselves as a matter of urgency.
- Seanad: Economic Outlook: Motion (20 Feb 2008)
Marc MacSharry: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Seanad Ãireann" and substitute the following: welcomes the Government's firm commitment to position the economy for sustainable development over the years ahead, while adapting to the reality of more moderate growth in the future; notes the progress to date on public sector reform and welcomes the Government's strong commitment to...
- Seanad: Order of Business (26 Feb 2008)
Marc MacSharry: I join other Senators in calling for a debate on the Health Service Executive, especially on its accountability. While it is scandalous that the HSE has withdrawn advertising from a radio station, it is merely a symptom of what is going on, in general terms, throughout the country and the health service as a whole. I do not suggest that all the HSE's efforts are wrong, but some things...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2008)
Marc MacSharry: In the absence of the Leader today, I ask the Deputy Leader to arrange an immediate debate on the tribunals so that we can purge ourselves of the daily diatribe we must suffer. Senator Nicky McFadden rightly said, in disarray with her own party colleagues, that we need to start debating the real issues that matter to the people in the gallery and to the people of this country.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2008)
Marc MacSharry: I am sick of the daily, monthly and annual diatribe on these tribunals, a Chathaoirligh. You have consistently ruled it out of order. I call for a debate on all tribunals so that we can purge ourselves of the issues that some people have. The record will show that the Taoiseach of this country, Deputy Bertie Ahern, has the best record of delivery in the history of the State.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2008)
Marc MacSharry: I must be allowed to finish, as others were allowed to rant.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2008)
Marc MacSharry: While the tribunals seek to do their work, and they have done much good work, the Oireachtas must keep them under review if we are to be true to the people. As a new Senator, let me say to Senator Eugene Regan that despite his eminence in the legal profession, he is not solely responsible for the upkeep of the tribunals or the Irish legal system.
- Seanad: Hospital Services (11 Mar 2008)
Marc MacSharry: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Smith. I call on the Minister for Health and Children to review and revise the cancer care strategy to ensure that cancer care services at Sligo General Hospital, including breast surgical and diagnostic procedures, are maintained and enhanced. There has been much comment on this issue in the media in recent days. The contributions on "Prime Time"...
- Seanad: Hospital Services (11 Mar 2008)
Marc MacSharry: I thank the Minister of State for his reply and fully appreciate that he will bring the issues to the attention of the Minister for Health and Children, but I also ask that they should be brought to that of the Taoiseach. I raise a point of correction. In 2006 there were 57 or so cases in Sligo while there were 93 in 2007. I do not necessarily want a centre of excellence in Sligo but I want...
- Seanad: Finance Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Mar 2008)
Marc MacSharry: I welcome the Minister, Deputy O'Dea. I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak on the Finance Bill, which is the Minister's fifth, and I also welcome many of the measures therein. Since the budget the context has changed slightly. Economic growth has performed below trend but the economic outlook is still positive. The Government is taking into account the changing environment and...
- Seanad: Finance Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Mar 2008)
Marc MacSharry: No. When debates such as this take place, it is perhaps the nature of the Opposition â as was the case when Senator Twomey was speaking â to accuse the Government of all these things. It seems to be a common mantra when debates on the budget, the economy and all matters financial take place. I feel, therefore, compelled to point out our mantra in that context, which the facts back up....
- Seanad: Finance Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Mar 2008)
Marc MacSharry: It is not wrong. A number of Ministers use hybrid Lexus cars. Perhaps we could see improvements with the whole fleet being changed to such cars. It would be a waste of money to change all the cars at once but as they need replacement, there is no question but that more environmentally friendly vehicles should be purchased, and that is happening. One need only look at the ministerial cars...
- Seanad: Finance Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (13 Mar 2008)
Marc MacSharry: I thank the Minister for coming to the House and congratulate the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance on the Bill. I especially congratulate his officials who, as Senator Twomey said, put in a great deal of work each year in the preparation of the Bill.
- Seanad: Finance Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Motion for Earlier Signature (13 Mar 2008)
Marc MacSharry: At 2.30 p.m. next Wednesday, 19 March.