Results 681-700 of 14,090 for speaker:Marc MacSharry
- Seanad: National Recovery Plan 2011-2014: Motion (30 Nov 2010)
Marc MacSharry: It is a legitimate point to make. While it is perfectly legitimate to play the ball and criticise the Minister of the day for the policy that is to be implemented, in this environment one must not deny the resilience of this great nation, its people and their ability to overcome the challenges that have been presented to them. It is worth noting that in the depths of this serious crisis,...
- Seanad: Health Services (30 Nov 2010)
Marc MacSharry: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. This motion asks the Minister for Health and Children to ensure adequate funds are made available to Sligo General Hospital for the operation of a bus bringing patients for cancer treatment to University College Hospital Galway, UCHG, from the â¬750,000 fund announced as ring-fenced for such purposes by Professor Tom Keane. The Minister of State...
- Seanad: Health Services (30 Nov 2010)
Marc MacSharry: The Minister of State referred to various improvements that have been made. The issue of follow-up mammography at Sligo General Hospital has not been addressed. I ask that action be taken in this regard. The Minister of State indicated the Minister is requesting as a matter of urgency that the issue of funding for the bus from Sligo to University College Hospital Galway be resolved in the...
- Seanad: Order of Business (2 Dec 2010)
Marc MacSharry: On the issue of the Central Bank report, it is shameful in the extreme that bonuses are being presided over at this time. We all find that shocking. On the issue of remuneration, I have said many times previously that the salaries of those in the public sector earning over a certain threshold - not the less well off but those who are higher paid - need to be examined. This also applies to...
- Seanad: EU-IMF Programme for Ireland: Statements (2 Dec 2010)
Marc MacSharry: I welcome the Minister of State for what is now our almost daily debate on economic matters. I suppose it is appropriate that we are engaging in such a debate, particularly in the light of the seriousness of the scenario. The Minister of State provided a detailed outline of the specifics relating to the documents in their current form. It is expected that the substance of both documents...
- Seanad: EU-IMF Programme for Ireland: Statements (2 Dec 2010)
Marc MacSharry: Next Tuesday at 12 noon.
- Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2010)
Marc MacSharry: As Members have mentioned, it is budget day. I look forward to the debate tomorrow when we will have an opportunity to discuss the measures and to express the hope that today's announcement will be fair and, to the maximum extent possible, that it will protect the most vulnerable in society. In that context if it is so deemed that higher sections of the public services or the semi-State...
- Seanad: Budget Statement 2011: Statements (8 Dec 2010)
Marc MacSharry: I join others in welcoming the Minister of State and am glad of the opportunity to make a few points on yesterday's budget. No one would set out willingly to introduce a budget such as this and many of its measures are regrettable in the context of the reductions people will have to take. In the history of the State, no Administration, apart from the last two or three, it is worth noting,...
- Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2010)
Marc MacSharry: As the country comes to terms with a very difficult budget, I want to raise an issue that I have spoken on many times, namely, the maximum chargeable interest rate for loans. Licensed money lenders in this State can legally charge extortionate rates of 187%, and as people try honestly and in a resilient fashion to make the adjustments the budget demands of them, they may well seek to resort...
- Seanad: Order of Business (14 Dec 2010)
Marc MacSharry: I am relieved that the disgraceful suggestion that bonuses be paid to bank staff has not materialised. I would welcome a general debate on the banks. Considering the level of support we are affording them to keep going, it would be appropriate to ask whether salary levels throughout the banks are appropriate. While we have managed to limit the pay of top executives and ensure the...
- Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (14 Dec 2010)
Marc MacSharry: The Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2010 gives effect to a number of the measures announced in the four year plan and the budget last week. There is no doubt some of them will be painful for every household in the country and everyone will have to make sacrifices and adjustments. Taken in isolation, the individual measures are unfair and difficult to...
- Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (14 Dec 2010)
Marc MacSharry: I have no difficulty with giving leadership by example but others must also follow. The political class or those who are in control must deal with the issue. The Judiciary, for example, is ridiculously bloated. The highest judge in the land earns â¬225,000 compared to a figure of â¬35,000 in Romania and â¬20,000 in Andorra.
- Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (14 Dec 2010)
Marc MacSharry: The proposed salary cap of â¬250,000 in semi-State companies is just, but, equally, there should be no sacred cows in existing companies. I accept these companies have a commercial mandate and it has often been argued that we will not attract the talent if we are not prepared to pay the appropriate salaries, but I doubt that is the case in this day and age. In a country with an excellent...
- Seanad: Order of Business (15 Dec 2010)
Marc MacSharry: I too am appalled at the thought of bonuses being paid at this time. I am all for performance-related remuneration but I am afraid that in advance of a complete reorganisation of the public sector and the implementation of established efficiencies, I do not agree with the payment of bonuses. I hope the Deputy Leader will raise the matter with the Minister for Finance. I wish to bring...
- Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Dec 2010)
Marc MacSharry: These points are general rather than specific to the Bill. However, I am supportive of the points made by Senator O'Toole. The issue is being examined, but clearly it is not sustainable to have pensions at such levels. That is where reductions are necessary, but I fully agree with the Senator on the context set. He used as an example the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney....
- Seanad: Credit Institutions (Stabilisation) Bill 2010: Second Stage (16 Dec 2010)
Marc MacSharry: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh. I am glad the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, was able to join us earlier and that he will be returning to take Committee Stage when other points can be made. Senator Donohoe was very measured and eloquent in his contribution in which he made some interesting points which I am sure the Minister will address in detail on Committee...
- Seanad: Credit Institutions (Stabilisation) Bill 2010: Second Stage (16 Dec 2010)
Marc MacSharry: I know the Senator is not. However, he asked for a debate on the issue. I am informing him of this point of view which is other than that of the former German Minister and the MEPs the Senator mentioned. I would not be in favour of it. Argentina is not able to access money on world markets and is dependent on others; President Chávez of Venezuela may have extended it a conditional loan....
- Seanad: Credit Institutions (Stabilisation) Bill 2010: Second Stage (16 Dec 2010)
Marc MacSharry: Seventy-two hours, yes.
- Seanad: Credit Institutions (Stabilisation) Bill 2010: Second Stage (16 Dec 2010)
Marc MacSharry: Senator Donohoe would have almost had an hour per section.
- Seanad: Credit Institutions (Stabilisation) Bill 2010: Second Stage (16 Dec 2010)
Marc MacSharry: I am sure if there are issues with particular sections, they can be raised on Committee Stage and the Minister can deal with them. In simple terms, this is most welcome legislation. I suppose one wonders why it could not have been done previously-----