Results 361-380 of 14,090 for speaker:Marc MacSharry
- Seanad: Economic Situation: Statements (27 Jan 2009)
Marc MacSharry: I welcome the Minister of State. I also welcome the opportunity to discuss the economy. I further welcome the frequency with which we are engaging in debates of this nature. We are seeking the knowledge and experience of eminent and qualified individuals such as Senator Ross who is an economist of some renown and a journalist and someone who has had a long career in business. It is...
- Seanad: Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Jan 2009)
Marc MacSharry: I am grateful to have the opportunity to make some points. I pay tribute to my colleague, Senator Denis O'Donovan, because in my time in the House I have never seen anyone or any group of people apply the same level of scrutiny and constructive suggestion to legislation, and he is to be greatly commended on that. I thank the Minister of State for initiating this Bill in the House. It sits...
- Seanad: Economic Issues: Motion (28 Jan 2009)
Marc MacSharry: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Seanad Ãireann" and substitute the following: commends the Government on its management of the economy and public finances, which means that Ireland faces the current global economic crisis from a position of strength, given the strong growth of recent years and very low levels of public debt; acknowledges that through the policies now being...
- Seanad: Economic Issues: Motion (28 Jan 2009)
Marc MacSharry: It would be possible to focus on the many reasons we are in the difficulties in which we find ourselves. I can see that the Fine Gael focus is again to say: "You blew the boom. We told you that you were going to do it. You did it and now it has all happened." During the debate on the budget I remember Senator Donohoe saying that if we could find him an economist at the time who would say...
- Seanad: Economic Issues: Motion (28 Jan 2009)
Marc MacSharry: I never interrupt anybody as the Senator knows. I always listen attentively and respectfully. I would appreciate if he did the same.
- Seanad: Economic Issues: Motion (28 Jan 2009)
Marc MacSharry: When circumstances change, the Government changes its mind as does Fine Gael, which is appropriate. The business of government operates in a real-time environment. It does not operate with the benefit of hindsight and 20/20 vision. We must react and act appropriately as circumstances demand.
- Seanad: Economic Issues: Motion (28 Jan 2009)
Marc MacSharry: We need to react and also pro-act, which is what has been happening in recent times. All Western democracies are experiencing the same level of difficulties, fiscally and economically, in terms of the banking system and levels of imports and exports. All over the world every economy is in the same boat. As I said last night, the IMF has stated that the advanced economies will experience...
- Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jan 2009)
Marc MacSharry: Senator Bacik requested a debate on female genital mutilation, FGM, and the case of Ms Pamela Izevbekhai and her children, who are based in Sligo. Irrespective of a debate, an outcome, a court judgment on FGM or whatever, people must recognise that this is a very human case.
- Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jan 2009)
Marc MacSharry: I know those involved and I can state that Ms Izevbekhai's children speak with Sligo accents. Regardless of the law or any considerations relating to FGM, these people have lived in Sligo â they call it home â for quite a period of years. It is clear that a large proportion of the local community would like them to remain living in the area. On the basis of the human considerations...
- Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jan 2009)
Marc MacSharry: We could then debate FGM and other issues. It is not possible to have a completely open-door policy. Legal proceedings in this case are ongoing but the children involved are trying to go about their daily lives. They are more native to Sligo than they are to anywhere else. If one of the county's teams reached an All-Ireland Final, they would support it. I would appreciate it if the...
- Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jan 2009)
Marc MacSharry: Will the Leader make time available for a debate on banking and banking regulation? We need to give careful consideration to the regulatory environment that applies in respect of banking. Momentum is building in the United States for the establishment of an aggregator bank. Under this model, bad debts could be pooled and managed centrally. This would allow banks that in a stronger...
- Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2009)
Marc MacSharry: I welcome the opportunity to make the following points. The first is that I have no notes or prepared script, although I notice the Senator always has that beleagured stance as he prepares his notes when he is making his contributions.
- Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2009)
Marc MacSharry: In any event, I welcome the decisive action by the Government yesterday. I share the frustration and anger of many people within the public service that this had to be done. However, I am afraid circumstances and realities have intervened to make that essential.
- Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2009)
Marc MacSharry: It is a question, as the Senator rightly said, of providing leadership. Politics is not about popularity, it is about leadership. When the good times rolled and there were lots of resources and very high tax takes, things were possible which are no longer possible.
- Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2009)
Marc MacSharry: I do not interrupt anybody.
- Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2009)
Marc MacSharry: Extremely difficult decisions have had to be taken and more will have to follow â there is no question about that. This is just the first. It will mean more pain for almost everybody in society. I consider myself to be exceptionally lucky because I am in the public service, one of 350,000 people with a defined benefit pension. Some 80% of the workforce do not have that benefit and, I...
- Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2009)
Marc MacSharry: ââwhich they do not have and are not likely to have for a while to come. I look forward to participating in the debate tomorrow. It is incumbent on all of us to ensure that the burden is spread as widely and as fairly as it can be. I fear, however, there is no absolute way to make that equitable and fair to the point that it will not raise the anger and frustrations of many of us,...
- Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2009)
Marc MacSharry: ââbut the Opposition should not think we are begging for help. I believe the leadership in the Government has what it takes to take the appropriate actions, painful as that may be. Politics is about providing leadership in these difficult times and taking the difficult decisions. We are not concerned with electoral success at these timesââ
- Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2009)
Marc MacSharry: âânor can anybody be. We must take the decisions that are necessary to secure the future for our children and grandchildren.
- Seanad: Electoral Amendment Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (4 Feb 2009)
Marc MacSharry: I am pleased to have this opportunity to make a few points on the Bill. Prior to doing so, I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Barry Andrews, to the public Gallery and encourage all members of the Cabinet to come to the Seanad and hear first hand the quality of debate and scrutiny of legislation that takes place here. I also welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Kitt, to the...