Results 3,901-3,920 of 4,465 for speaker:Jim Walsh

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Nov 2014)

Jim Walsh: When is it going to be removed?

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Nov 2014)

Jim Walsh: I ask the Deputy Leader to arrange for the Minister for Finance to attend the House at an early opportunity for a debate on NAMA. This matter has been raised on a number of occasions, but recent reports give rise to a great deal of concern. The Minister has been anxious to put pressure on NAMA to complete the sale of its loan book by the end of 2017 or early 2018. There is a view that this...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Nov 2014)

Jim Walsh: Mar a deirtear, tá a lán uisce faoi thalamh mar gheall ar an t-ábhar seo. Ba mhaith liom cúpla focal a rá i dtaobh Uisce Éireann. I welcome the fact that, according to reports, the Government has listened to the concerns of the people in this regard and we look forward to the announcement this afternoon. However, we will still be left with a structure that is...

Seanad: Adoption (Identity and Information) Bill 2014: Second Stage (19 Nov 2014)

Jim Walsh: Like others, I commend the three Senators who introduced this Bill. As Senator Barrett mentioned, it is a good example of cross-bench collaboration, placing the Seanad in a different light than the unfortunately dysfunctional Dáil. It is also good that we have Senator Power, who has shown great courage in giving testimony on her circumstances, Senator van Turnhout, who has operated in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in Syria and Middle East: Dr. Nader Hashemi (19 Nov 2014)

Jim Walsh: I thank Dr. Hashemi for his very interesting and insightful paper. I have a number of questions. What is the mindset of a significant minority of Islamists or Muslims that leads them to such barbaric atrocities being committed? I remember reading a book many years ago about Mohammed. Not only was he a prophet but he was a military leader of the day. Is there an undercurrent within that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in Syria and Middle East: Dr. Nader Hashemi (19 Nov 2014)

Jim Walsh: I want to follow through on this thread. I would go some of the way with Dr. Hashemi's view, but many of those who are fighting in this conflict come from the western world. Some of them are converts to Islam. Some of his prognosis does not answer that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in Syria and Middle East: Dr. Nader Hashemi (19 Nov 2014)

Jim Walsh: Why do so few Muslim leaders and Muslim states condemn these atrocities? The condemnation of these atrocities seems to be absent. Dr. Hashemi referred to the role of Saudi Arabia, but Qatar has a role. Not alone are these countries funnelling the ideology, they are also funding it. Looking at other authoritarian regimes in the Arab world, when they move to what appears to be more...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in Syria and Middle East: Dr. Nader Hashemi (19 Nov 2014)

Jim Walsh: Does Dr. Hashemi agree that is a significant blemish on Islam? Dr. Hashemi mentioned saving Aleppo. In Iraq there is a legitimate Government which President Obama has backed and is supporting. That is logical, but the choice in Syria is between a discredited regime, which is in power or an atrocious barbaric terrorist group which would take over. Is that choice not impossible? Dr....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in Syria and Middle East: Dr. Nader Hashemi (19 Nov 2014)

Jim Walsh: I find this enlightening, as other members will. It is a very good insight into the situation. It appears mystifying that a very fragmented opposition to Assad, at one stage comprising 14 disparate groups, emerged as a dominant force ahead of al-Qaeda. From what Dr. Hashemi says, it appears to be the dominant force there. On the other hand, he advises that we should support the other...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Nov 2014)

Jim Walsh: I second the amendment to the Order of Business proposed by Senator Thomas Byrne. I support the comments of Senator Fidelma Healy Eames on the need to take a radical and close look at ensuring our taxation system encourages entrepreneurship and investment, in addition to a work ethic, across the country. The current application of the universal social charge does not do this. We had a...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (18 Dec 2014)

Jim Walsh: I would say the Minister is.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (18 Dec 2014)

Jim Walsh: Is it possible to have a copy of the Minister's speech?

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (18 Dec 2014)

Jim Walsh: Yes, but we have not got it and the Minister of State is getting into his speech.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (18 Dec 2014)

Jim Walsh: In fairness, the spokespersons who are replying-----

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (18 Dec 2014)

Jim Walsh: Please suspend.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (18 Dec 2014)

Jim Walsh: I suggest the House suspend for five minutes to allow us get copies of the script.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (18 Dec 2014)

Jim Walsh: In future there should be some communication from the office. It is not good enough that we have to copy speeches. Whichever Department is involved should arrive with copies of speeches.

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (18 Dec 2014)

Jim Walsh: Cuirim fáilte ar ais roimh an Aire go dtí an Teach. Mar a dúirt sé féin, bhí sé ina Theachta sa Seanad ar feadh téarma amháin. Ansin, blianta ó shin, chuaigh sé go dtí Parlaimint na hEorpa. I welcome the Minister and thank him for what was a comprehensive outline of the difficulties he inherited when he entered office. I would...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (18 Dec 2014)

Jim Walsh: Is it any wonder people are so enraged over such political cynicism. I understand that when the Water Services (No. 2) Bill was being debated in the Dáil, it was guillotined after three hours. Since the inception in 2011 of the Government of which the Minister, Deputy Kelly, is now a member, its hallmark has been the use of the guillotine on many occasions. Consequently, many issues...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (18 Dec 2014)

Jim Walsh: Let me outline where I stand personally. In 1983, Dick Spring, the then leader of the Labour Party, introduced domestic water charges for the first time. I was a member of Wexford County Council at the time. We would have had water charges within the rural area but never within the urban area. As I stated on the last occasion, I did not have a principled objection to a reasonable charge....