Results 441-460 of 14,090 for speaker:Marc MacSharry
- Seanad: Property Services (Regulation) Bill 2009: Second Stage (21 May 2009)
Marc MacSharry: I thank Senator Butler for sharing time. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Curran. I am glad the Property Services (Regulation) Bill 2009 has been published and brought to the House. I will make some brief points on it. At the outset, I would like to declare an interest. I am a licensed and practising auctioneer. I wholeheartedly welcome this long overdue attempt to regulate the...
- Seanad: Reappointment of Ombudsman and Information Commissioner: Motions (26 May 2009)
Marc MacSharry: I wish to be associated with the remarks of my colleagues in welcoming the re-appointment of Ms Emily O'Reilly as Ombudsman. The publication of the Ryan report has made clear the need for a flow of information, transparency and openness. She has done an exceptional job, not only in working with current legislation but also in recommending improvements that might be made. I hope we will...
- Seanad: Reappointment of Ombudsman and Information Commissioner: Motions (26 May 2009)
Marc MacSharry: I move: That Seanad Ãireann recommends Ms. Emily O'Reilly for appointment by the President to be the Information Commissioner.
- Seanad: National Asset Management Agency: Statements (26 May 2009)
Marc MacSharry: I join others in welcoming the Minister of State. I am glad to have an opportunity to make a few points on the National Asset Management Agency. In recent weeks, many calls have been made for a debate on the issue and we are all happy with this opportunity to make a number of interim points. As I cautioned in response to a number of contributions on the Order of Business, NAMA is a work in...
- Seanad: National Asset Management Agency: Statements (26 May 2009)
Marc MacSharry: Hear, hear.
- Seanad: National Asset Management Agency: Statements (26 May 2009)
Marc MacSharry: At 10.30 tomorrow morning.
- Seanad: Finance Bill 2009 (Certified Money Bill): Second Stage (28 May 2009)
Marc MacSharry: I join Senators in welcoming the Minister of State and I welcome the opportunity to make a few points on the Finance Bill. In the past two years, Members have had many opportunities to speak about the economy as activity, both domestically and globally, has experienced an unprecedented decline. This has resulted in circumstances in which we simply cannot afford to continue to provide the...
- Seanad: Finance Bill 2009 (Certified Money Bill): Second Stage (28 May 2009)
Marc MacSharry: Deposit interest retention tax, capital gains tax and capital acquisition tax have all increased to 25%, which is part of the Government's base-broadening measures and ensures that all forms of income contribute to the fiscal correction. The increases in the income levy can be seen as a progressive measure in so far as those who earn more pay more. Notwithstanding that many in the public...
- Seanad: Order of Business (11 Jun 2009)
Marc MacSharry: I join Senator Hanafin in calling for a two-day debate so that we might hear what political parties intend to do in respect of the budget deficit.
- Seanad: Order of Business (11 Jun 2009)
Marc MacSharry: Yes, most certainly. I look forward to again outlining our proposals. I am sure we are at one on Senator McCarthy's point regarding fixed rate mortgages and I understand the Minister intends to bring forward some proposals in that regard. I look forward to hearing the latter. I join Senator Alex White in requesting a debate on the future of Dublin. As someone from the west, I acknowledge...
- Seanad: European Parliament Irish Constituency Members) Bill 2009: Order for Second Stage (16 Jun 2009)
Marc MacSharry: I move: "That Second Stage be taken today."
- Seanad: European Parliament Irish Constituency Members) Bill 2009: Second Stage (16 Jun 2009)
Marc MacSharry: I join Senator Cannon in welcoming the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, and I welcome the opportunity to make a few brief points on the legislation. Like other Senators, I congratulate all members of the new European Parliament who were elected on these islands. In particular, I congratulate the esteemed former Senator Alan Kelly who put in a tremendous performance. Indeed, we are all...
- Seanad: European Parliament Irish Constituency Members) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (16 Jun 2009)
Marc MacSharry: While I am not opposing section 2, I wish to clarify the point I was making in terms of the former re-elected MEPs opting for the Oireachtas payment of the salary â the higher level. It is not to get more money for the MEPs that I suggested this but to save more money for the Exchequer. Despite the fact that the Bill will pass today, I ask that this change be considered before it comes...
- Seanad: Order of Business (17 Jun 2009)
Marc MacSharry: Yesterday, Irish bonds were oversubscribed to in another bond auction. The does not have much effect but does result in a mild reduction in the cost of lending for Ireland. This is significant in that it is the first time it has happened for some time. We are still the most expensive country in terms of what we have to pay, but we are moving in the right direction. It gives some...
- Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2009)
Marc MacSharry: In line with our ongoing debates and discussions on the economy, I join Senator Paschal Donohoe in his suggestion that we are in for up to four very difficult budgets. If he gets his own way, it is within the bounds of possibility he will be delivering one of those budgets himself.
- Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2009)
Marc MacSharry: Notwithstanding that, I agree that the issue of public sector pay should be examined. Between an bord snip nua and the various considerations of public sector reform, this issue is being dealt with. However, I am fundamentally opposed to any gimmickry or tokenism whereby we focus on Ministers, senior TDs or otherwise and set to cut their pay. I agree that we should look at the entire area...
- Seanad: Financial Services (Deposit Guarantee Scheme) Bill 2009: Second Stage (18 Jun 2009)
Marc MacSharry: I welcome the Minister of State. I am glad of the opportunity to contribute on this Bill. By way of rebuttal, as someone who was involved in the recent election and who did many a doorstep canvass I too experienced the palpable anger of people that the world economy is in the situation it is in. I share that anger and am frustrated by the difficulties that have come to bear. There is no...
- Seanad: Order of Business (23 Jun 2009)
Marc MacSharry: I would like to make a brief preamble before I call for a debate. In line with my ongoing efforts to ensure that the people of the north west can enjoy equitably accessible cancer services, and in light of the revelations contained in the Health Information and Quality Authority's report on breast cancer services in Waterford, I submitted a freedom of information request to try to get my...
- Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2009)
Marc MacSharry: I join others in seeking a debate on the economy. We will have an opportunity to discuss the matter tomorrow when the Finance Bill is debated. I note the ringing praise of the IMF of Government policies, particularly the steps taken to stabilise the banking sector and the public finances. As Senator Donohoe and I agreed last week, the IMF points out that much more painful action must be...
- Seanad: Financial Measures (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Second Stage (25 Jun 2009)
Marc MacSharry: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on the Financial Measures (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009. By way of brief rebuttal, Senator Twomey was not present last week when many of the points he has just made were made by Senator Cannon on his behalf. Governments do not operate with the benefit of hindsight; they operate in a real-time environment. We previously enjoyed a...