Results 3,021-3,040 of 6,030 for speaker:Brendan Ryan

Seanad: Drug Misuse: Statements (16 Nov 2006)

Brendan Ryan: I listened both here and in my office to many of the contributions which were constructive. There is no doubt that measures are being taken that were not taken previously. Senator Cummins's contribution, in particular, was very thoughtful. There was much in it with which I agree. There is an issue at the core of this debate which has not been discussed. For the past 25 years Members of...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2006)

Brendan Ryan: Tá mé ar aon-aigne leis an Seanadóir O'Toole faoin Ghaeilge a bhrú in áiteanna nach n-oireann sí. Is trua go bhfuil Béarla á bhrú ar mhuintir na Gaeltachta i gCorcha Dhuibhne anois toisc go mbeidh gach litir a thagann ó Údarás na Gaeltachta sa Daingean ag baint úsáide as Dingle, an chéad fhocal Bhéarla riamh a bheidh ar chomhfhreagras ón údarás——

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2006)

Brendan Ryan: One of the great joys of being a member of the Labour Party is that it still allows its members to think.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2006)

Brendan Ryan: I did not interrupt myself; it was others who did so.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2006)

Brendan Ryan: In respect of the issue of people trafficking, which was raised by Senator Brian Hayes and Senator O'Toole, I do not understand why we are so slow with regard to this issue. This country has a well-developed sensitivity about issues which arise in poor countries and affect poor people. It is one of this country's great qualities. That 300 unaccompanied minors who came to this country...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2006)

Brendan Ryan: We are trying to find out about it in Ireland, if the Senator would let us.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2006)

Brendan Ryan: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2006)

Brendan Ryan: It will not be before the House.

Seanad: Prisons Bill 2006: Second Stage (22 Nov 2006)

Brendan Ryan: I apologise to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if I am even more incoherent than usual. I had not expected to speak on this debate, but there was a misunderstanding over the number of speakers and I was called upon at short notice. I have read the Bill and the Minister's script and there is a great deal in them with which no sensible person could disagree. I know many...

Seanad: Prisons Bill 2006: Second Stage (22 Nov 2006)

Brendan Ryan: I did not find any members of the British Army there. It felt surreal to discuss the nature of the Voluntary Health Insurance, VHI, system with a person serving the fifth year of a 40-year sentence for the murder of a garda. The experience lived with me. I can understand the occasional, headline grabbing statement on the luxury of living in prison but anyone who makes such comments has even...

Seanad: Prisons Bill 2006: Second Stage (22 Nov 2006)

Brendan Ryan: Senator Walsh misunderstands me. My point is that the deprivation of liberty is the penalty. We take liberty for granted to such an extent that it is impossible to appreciate the effect of losing it. Crime cannot be separated from deprivation. The other type of prisoner I knew related to the time I spent with the Simon Community. Having spoken to paramilitary prisoners in Portlaoise and...

Seanad: Prisons Bill 2006: Second Stage (22 Nov 2006)

Brendan Ryan: Senator Leyden should know that is a well known fact. I do not think the trade union movement had anything to gain from what was going on. I am not sure of the purpose behind the enabling parts of this Bill relating to private security firms carrying out prisoner transportation. Perhaps it is a stick to wave at prison officers to ensure they keep their side of the bargain. I am not sure...

Seanad: Economic Competitiveness: Motion (22 Nov 2006)

Brendan Ryan: While inflation is one of the major concerns we should always have on how the national economy is going, it is difficult to see how one could talk about it alone. I have a dilemma. The Government amendment is one of the worst I have ever seen. It "notes that Irish inflation in EU terms is now not far off 2%". Does the Government not know the inflation rate? Did it not manage to find out...

Seanad: Economic Competitiveness: Motion (22 Nov 2006)

Brendan Ryan: One could say that 3% is not far off 2%, or that 1% or 4% are not far off 2%.

Seanad: Economic Competitiveness: Motion (22 Nov 2006)

Brendan Ryan: However the combined wisdom of the entire Government could not——

Seanad: Economic Competitiveness: Motion (22 Nov 2006)

Brendan Ryan: In 1997 the Government inherited the best economy in Europe and has made a mess of it for the past ten years.

Seanad: Economic Competitiveness: Motion (22 Nov 2006)

Brendan Ryan: I am grateful that Senator Mansergh has finally conceded that the Government did not make the economy but kept it. I have made this point for the past five years. The Government inherited the Celtic tiger.

Seanad: Economic Competitiveness: Motion (22 Nov 2006)

Brendan Ryan: I am well able for them. I appreciate the Cathaoirleach's support.

Seanad: Economic Competitiveness: Motion (22 Nov 2006)

Brendan Ryan: I apologise. During Deputy Quinn's time as Minister for Finance inflation was lower and growth was higher than during the tenure of the former Deputy and Minister for Finance, Charlie McCreevy. I am concerned about the wording of the motion. While I do not dispute the importance of inflation, one of Ireland's problems is the tendency to confuse inflation with competitiveness. The Minister...

Seanad: Economic Competitiveness: Motion (22 Nov 2006)

Brendan Ryan: We had an extraordinary five years——