Results 561-580 of 784 for speaker:Jimmy Harte

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Feb 2013)

Jimmy Harte: On the property tax, one of the parties opposite imposed a property tax, while the other agreed to the introduction of such a tax in its agreement with the troika. Both parties now oppose the property tax for purely populist reasons. The leader of the Opposition in the Dáil stated in the other House and in interviews that he feels a certain amount of guilt about the scandal of the Magdalen...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Feb 2013)

Jimmy Harte: Yes, I ask him to arrange a debate on poverty.

Seanad: Promissory Note Arrangement: Statements (14 Feb 2013)

Jimmy Harte: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. A Member on the Opposition benches said that then the deal was announced, there were champagne corks popping, which is not true. The only place, in terms of politics, where champagne corks ever popped was in the Galway tent.

Seanad: Promissory Note Arrangement: Statements (14 Feb 2013)

Jimmy Harte: The truth may hurt, Senator, but I will continue to repeat it. The previous Administration signed the promissory note and told taxpayers it had to make tough decisions and that it had no choice but to pay it off over ten years. It also said the agreement could not be renegotiated. As in Samuel Beckett's play, Waiting for Godot, nothing happened. The previous Administration was supported...

Seanad: Defence Forces (Second World War Amnesty and Immunity) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Feb 2013)

Jimmy Harte: I welcome the Minister of State. This is good legislation, which closes a chapter in history. World War II was not that long ago and many people are alive today with fresh and painful memories of it. It is strange when one thinks that people usually desert to get away from action as a matter of conscience or because they do not want to face battle, but these people left a peaceful country...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Feb 2013)

Jimmy Harte: Once again, I am amazed the Fianna Fáil Party is asking for the Minister to come in and talk about the Magdalen laundries. I would rather propose that Deputy Micheál Martin come to the Chamber and explain to the nation why he did nothing for 14 years in this regard. This was reflected by a representative of the Magdalen laundries, Sally Mulready, who said Micheál Martin should hang his...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Feb 2013)

Jimmy Harte: I am looking for an honest debate.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Feb 2013)

Jimmy Harte: This is a massive issue for the country. Will the Leader ask Micheál Martin why, as part of the previous Government, he did nothing on this? On reflection, it might be better that he did nothing, because he would probably have got to the 144th or 145th report on it. It will be a good day if this is finally resolved. As one commentator said, today is the beginning of the end for many of...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Feb 2013)

Jimmy Harte: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Feb 2013)

Jimmy Harte: Last night was a very poignant one for the people in the Visitors Gallery and others outside Leinster House who watched the Taoiseach apologise to the women who had spent time in the Magdalen laundries. It was followed by an apology from the Tánaiste and the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Kathleen Lynch. The leader of the Fianna Fáil Party, Deputy Micheál Martin,...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Feb 2013)

Jimmy Harte: I asked it yesterday.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Feb 2013)

Jimmy Harte: Perhaps he did not hear me yesterday.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Feb 2013)

Jimmy Harte: Thank you, Senator. Will the debate on the Magdalen laundries include a visit from Deputy Micheál Martin to explain - - - - -

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Feb 2013)

Jimmy Harte: I am sure he would not be so delighted.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Feb 2013)

Jimmy Harte: We should extend the invitation to his former Cabinet colleagues who did not have the guts to stand for election, unlike my colleague opposite.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Feb 2013)

Jimmy Harte: I will ask the same question that I asked yesterday and will ask it again tomorrow.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Feb 2013)

Jimmy Harte: The Opposition is again challenging decisions that the current Government has made mainly because of the former Government's inaction. It is a mantra. Senator Norris, who has left the Chamber, mentioned that the Members were not-----

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Feb 2013)

Jimmy Harte: He mentioned that the Fianna Fáil Senators were not members of the last Government. I am sorry to disappoint him, but they were.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Feb 2013)

Jimmy Harte: Senator Leyden referred to the appointment of members of political parties to State boards. I was a member of Letterkenny Town Council for 17 years. For 15 of those years, every position on every committee was unapologetically and gleefully taken up by Fianna Fáil.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Feb 2013)

Jimmy Harte: My question relates to Senator Leyden's call on the Minister. Fianna Fáil should consider the damage it did to public bodies over the years between county councils-----