Results 3,881-3,900 of 4,465 for speaker:Jim Walsh

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2014)

Jim Walsh: That is not good enough. People’s pension pots have been raided. They are being pressured and facing difficulties. We need to have a debate on this and a range of other issues.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Impact of Conflict in Syria: Concern (8 Oct 2014)

Jim Walsh: I thank the delegates for their presentation. Ms O'Mahony stated: "If the current situation continues, we are facing a regional collapse with global consequences." In regard to her recommendations, the Geneva talks opened up the possibility of resolving the issue, but it is difficult to see how that structure could deal with the issues arising, given that it involves Islamic terrorists who...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Oct 2014)

Jim Walsh: I agree with Senator MacSharry. I called yesterday for a debate on Uisce Éireann. My major concern is for the consumers to get the best deal possible and they will not get that from a public service monopoly which has already started in a way that certainly does not apply cost-effectiveness across the board and which is merely another quango. This has been exposed in this House by the...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Oct 2014)

Jim Walsh: I am asking the Leader for a debate on this because if there is one thing worse than a public monopoly, it is a private monopoly. The issue should be debated fully and some of the pseudo-arguments being put out should be analysed, challenged and disposed of. I also want to raise the issue that was raised briefly yesterday by one of my colleagues, namely, the issue of the Central Bank making...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Issues of Mutual Concern between Ireland and Colombia: Ambassador of Colombia (9 Oct 2014)

Jim Walsh: I welcome the ambassador. I apologise for my late arrival but I got the important parts of his presentation. He emphasised trade, and I know a number of foreign trade agreements have been entered into. We in Ireland have very little trade with South America and it is opportune that he is here because I am sure it is the Government's intention to try to develop our trade with the South...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Northern Ireland Peace Monitoring Report: Northern Ireland Community Relations Council (9 Oct 2014)

Jim Walsh: I thank the Chairman and apologise for being late. I am not a member of the committee, but Senator White apprised me of the issues being discussed at this meeting. The Chairman and I, as members of the Committee on Sovereign Matters of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly, have spoken with various groups in the North, and much of what is in the report would not come as any great...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Northern Ireland Peace Monitoring Report: Northern Ireland Community Relations Council (9 Oct 2014)

Jim Walsh: I understand, Chairman.

Seanad: Budget 2015: Statements (14 Oct 2014)

Jim Walsh: Some of us will not get an opportunity to speak if the Senator does not adhere to the time limit.

Seanad: Budget 2015: Statements (14 Oct 2014)

Jim Walsh: Time is up.

Seanad: Budget 2015: Statements (14 Oct 2014)

Jim Walsh: I thank the Leader for extending the time as it is appropriate that we should have the opportunity to talk about the budget. I will start on a positive note. Even though it is belated and should have happened last year, I welcome the reversal of what was a terrible decision to raid people's pension pots. Pensions are a huge issue, given our demographics, and it was totally the wrong thing...

Seanad: Budget 2015: Statements (14 Oct 2014)

Jim Walsh: -----the borrowings will increase from €203 billion this year to €210 billion at the end of next year. Given where we stand on borrowing, is that a sensible course of action?

Seanad: Budget 2015: Statements (14 Oct 2014)

Jim Walsh: When one is borrowing, one does not give back to the people.

Seanad: Budget 2015: Statements (14 Oct 2014)

Jim Walsh: Over three years.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Oct 2014)

Jim Walsh: Aontaím go hiomlán leis an méid atá ráite ag an Seanadóir Labhrás Ó Murchú agus ag an Seanadóir Ó Súilleabháin faoi chomóradh maith a dhéanamh ar 1916. Bheadh sé oiriúnach an tAire a bheith againn sa Teach le haghaidh díospóireachta ar an gcomóradh agus ar an bplean atá aici é sin a...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2014)

Jim Walsh: I endorse the comments of other Members on the motion regarding the establishment of a Palestinian state. I understand there will be a unanimous decision on this by the House, which I welcome. There needs to be a debate on the issue. We need to develop a strategy because for too long Israel has obstructed any final settlement on this issue. It is most unfair to the Palestinian people who...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in Colombia: ICTU (22 Oct 2014)

Jim Walsh: I apologise for arriving late. I did not get to hear what the delegates had to say, but I have read some of the hand-written submissions which we received from them. They paint an horrific picture of what is happening in Colombia. With reference to the Mothers of Soacha, what is the timeline of the offences? It is stated that in one particular place some of the offences occurred right up...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Oct 2014)

Jim Walsh: I am surprised by Senator Norris, who is usually very astute about these matters. It will become increasingly apparent to him that Sinn Féin is grooming Fine Gael for after the next election. I agree with Senator Leyden, who referred to censorship in the media. We have all seen evidence in The Irish Timesthat people who have a conservative point of view are squeezed out because they do...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Oct 2014)

Jim Walsh: Okay. We could have an opportunity to listen to somebody who served throughout that period and has very sound views on what needs to be done.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Nov 2014)

Jim Walsh: With regard to the report of the Garda Síochána Inspectorate, the answer is obvious. The criticism that the Garda Síochána is receiving is no different from the criticism in the report on the Department of Justice and Equality, the HSE or any Department. It relates to a total lack of management in the structures of our public service. Locally, a good superintendent in...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Nov 2014)

Jim Walsh: It was introduced as a temporary measure.