Results 281-300 of 1,591 for speaker:Eugene Regan

Seanad: Order of Business (29 May 2008)

Eugene Regan: I will respond to the Cathaoirleach's directions on that. I have a question for the Leader. On the basis of this false premise this organisation is suggesting that abortion could be introduced by the European Court, although the court is in fact bound by the express wording of the Lisbon treaty, which specifically acknowledges the Irish constitutional prohibition of abortion. The...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 May 2008)

Eugene Regan: However, the wording of the Charter of Fundamental Rights, which forms part of the Lisbon treaty, specifically states that such issues will be decided in accordance with national law. Thus, it is for this House and the Dáil to decide on same-sex marriage. It is also suggested that ratification of the Lisbon treaty could result in harmonisation of taxes, including corporation taxes. Again,...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 May 2008)

Eugene Regan: I have a specific question for the Leader. This is a matter which has to do with the interpretation of the Constitution and the existing legal position. It would be helpful if the Attorney General could issue a view on this and a statement clarifying the position. Senator Norris has a bee in his bonnet about the provisions on neutrality in the Lisbon treaty. The President of the European...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 May 2008)

Eugene Regan: I ask that the relevant Minister come to the House to address this issue and allay the concerns of Senator Norris.

Seanad: Prison Building Programme: Motion. (29 May 2008)

Eugene Regan: This is a project into which, in many respects, the Oireachtas was bounced. It was a rushed job at the time and it was ill-thought through. It is symptomatic of the waste of this Government and the expense incurred has been the subject of adverse comment by the Comptroller and Auditor General. The site secured was 50% bigger than originally intended and there was a lack of competition in...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Jun 2008)

Eugene Regan: I welcome the Taoiseach's U-turn on the veto to the world trade talks.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Jun 2008)

Eugene Regan: I very much welcome the position taken by the ICMSA and the IFA on the Lisbon treaty. The Taoiseach's timing is not the best and it is unfortunate that this situation was not defused a long time ago, but it is better late than never.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Jun 2008)

Eugene Regan: Perhaps the Taoiseach is not a tough guy after all and he is a bit of a pussycat when push comes to shove.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Jun 2008)

Eugene Regan: It is fortunate that the matter has been resolved.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Jun 2008)

Eugene Regan: As the campaign on the Lisbon treaty draws to a close, it would be useful to examine all the arguments made by the "No" campaign, which were completely undermined as information emerged about the treaty. There will be no change to Irishneutrality, the 12.5% corporation tax rate, abortion laws, gay marriage, stem cell research, the veto on the WTO agreement and the primacy of EU law or...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Jun 2008)

Eugene Regan: There is no change in workers' rights except for the better with the introduction of the Charter of Fundamental Rights.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Jun 2008)

Eugene Regan: What we have is a more democratic, transparent and efficient European Union.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Jun 2008)

Eugene Regan: Does the Leader concur with that summary of the current position? Not only do we have these bizarre arguments, we now have an array of people and organisations opposed to the treaty.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Jun 2008)

Eugene Regan: They range from Sinn Féin to the British Tories and from Jean-Marie Le Pen to the French Communists. There is also Youth Defence and Cóir. I referred to the CIA and Opus Dei on a previous occasion and I am quite happy to say that those organisations are not involved in the "No" campaign.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Jun 2008)

Eugene Regan: I wish to correct the record in that regard. I believe that Senator Ross is also opposed at this stage.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Jun 2008)

Eugene Regan: Not only have we seen bizarre and false arguments made, all these organisations have produced contradictory arguments because they do not agree on any one element of this.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Jun 2008)

Eugene Regan: Sinn Féin complains about privatisation and public services while Libertas claims that it is the end of free competition.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Jun 2008)

Eugene Regan: Does the Leader agree that this is a reasonable summary of the debate to date?

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Jun 2008)

Eugene Regan: Do not look at me.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jun 2008)

Eugene Regan: On the Lisbon treaty——