Results 3,581-3,600 of 9,753 for speaker:Terry Leyden

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jul 2009)

Terry Leyden: -----we make a collective decision and stand by it.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jul 2009)

Terry Leyden: No. 27 on the Order Paper relates to the Council of Europe. Will there be an opportunity in the autumn session to recognise the work of the Council of Europe, which celebrates its 60th anniversary? Ireland was a founder member of it in 1949. We should be very proud of that. We were one of the ten members who had the foresight to join. Parties on both sides of the House were involved....

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jul 2009)

Terry Leyden: I am just making the point that it is worthwhile recognising the anniversary. Senators Cecilia Keaveney, Joe O'Reilly and I are the Members from this House on the Council of Europe. It is a very important organisation. Senator Keaveney has produced an important report, which I hope will be debated in this House, about the teaching of history in countries that have experienced difficulties,...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jul 2009)

Terry Leyden: That is irrelevant.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jul 2009)

Terry Leyden: Thank you. It takes one to know one.

Seanad: OECD and IMF Reports: Statements (10 Jul 2009)

Terry Leyden: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary, to the House. I wish him continued success in the Department at a very challenging time. I had the honour of serving with his father, former Deputy Seán Calleary, who was a Minister of State with me in Government, and he acquitted himself exceedingly well in the Departments in which he served. I welcome this opportunity for a calm debate on...

Seanad: OECD and IMF Reports: Statements (10 Jul 2009)

Terry Leyden: On page 91 of the manifesto Fine Gael stated: "The projected capital balance in the Economic and Budgetary Framework is identical to Department of Finance projections for 2007-2009 and for the entire period reflects our commitment to the spending targets set out in the National Development Plan 2008-2012." I hope Senator Burke is not saying Fine Gael was trying to mislead the Irish people in...

Seanad: OECD and IMF Reports: Statements (10 Jul 2009)

Terry Leyden: The Cathaoirleach will have to control the Leas-Chathaoirleach on this occasion. I am sorry it is hurtful. I know the truth hurts, but I will continue. These are the statements that were made.

Seanad: OECD and IMF Reports: Statements (10 Jul 2009)

Terry Leyden: I should balance my comments, which I hope I will. Fine Gael did not have the intellectual prowess to formulate its economic framework. It did not have Deputy Lee then. There is "post-Lee" and "pre-Lee". Fine Gael has Deputy Lee now and I wish him well in his political career, however long or short it will be. Fine Gael and the Labour Party brought out the document Protecting the...

Seanad: OECD and IMF Reports: Statements (10 Jul 2009)

Terry Leyden: The Minister of State, Deputy Kelleher, outlined the exact Government position on that and I will not re-read his entire statement or go further into all the details of this report. I am trying to build up to the important point of my contribution by giving the backdrop.

Seanad: OECD and IMF Reports: Statements (10 Jul 2009)

Terry Leyden: I also looked up Fianna Fail's manifesto, which was very interesting. On page 29 it states: "All commitments made in this manifesto are dependent on our country's continuing prosperity."

Seanad: OECD and IMF Reports: Statements (10 Jul 2009)

Terry Leyden: That was a fairly good prediction of what the future held. On page 29 it states: "We will deliver this country through any downturn with healthy fundamentals intact." On page 31 it states: "Under the heading of budgetary policy, we advocate a 'sound budgetary management' based on the principle of 'retaining the flexibility to deal with any future shocks'."

Seanad: OECD and IMF Reports: Statements (10 Jul 2009)

Terry Leyden: That is a fair assessment of where we were. Our manifesto was dependent on continuation of economic growth. Nobody in the Opposition predicted a downturn in the economy. That is the backdrop to what I will say about the IMF and the forecasts. We are fortunate that this country is in the eurozone. That is why, on 2 October, people who have read the IMF and OECD reports will say it is vital...

Seanad: OECD and IMF Reports: Statements (10 Jul 2009)

Terry Leyden: Fianna Fáil-led Governments have the ability to borrow and the ability to repay. That cannot be said of an Opposition that is in capable of governing the country.

Seanad: OECD and IMF Reports: Statements (10 Jul 2009)

Terry Leyden: I hope I am not being divisive.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jul 2009)

Terry Leyden: The Labour Party's position on this Bill is rather unique in that it calls for action but when the Government takes action, it criticises it and votes against it. One of its Members in the other House abstained because he could not stomach the hypocrisy on this particular issue and the way the party treated it.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jul 2009)

Terry Leyden: I am not surprised by the-----

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jul 2009)

Terry Leyden: The Labour Party is controlled by the former Workers' Party, Sinn Féin and I am not surprised-----

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jul 2009)

Terry Leyden: As far as this House is concerned-----

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jul 2009)

Terry Leyden: -----if an amendment is made to this Bill, it is argued in this House and agreed by the Minister, speaking as one who served in that position, the Minister will have to bring it back to the other House either in the autumn or another time. That is a fact.