Results 701-720 of 5,132 for speaker:Trevor Ó Clochartaigh

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Second Stage (23 Apr 2012)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: It would have been good if Senator Byrne had clarified whether his parliamentary party was in favour of the treaty or if Deputy Ó Cuív changed his mind. There is increasing support for a "No" vote across Europe. Monsieur Hollande in France has serious problems with the treaty. If he wants the treaty to be written in the way he likes, there will be need for renegotiation. The Dutch...

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Second Stage (23 Apr 2012)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: I do not believe that argument washes well. As has been pointed out by Senator van Turnhout, the fiscal rules would not have helped the Celtic tiger situation or prevent it from happening, and it could happen again. There is huge confusion around what a structural deficit is and most economists do not seem to be able to agree on it. The argument being put forward that these types of...

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Second Stage (23 Apr 2012)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: One must consider the penalties as well.

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 Apr 2012)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: On a point of order, will the Leas-Chathaoirleach clarify in layman's terms what this means as regards speaking to the sections of the Bill?

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 Apr 2012)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: Are we allowed to speak to the Schedule and the sections?

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 Apr 2012)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: We wish to see it.

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 Apr 2012)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: Ní bhfuair mé deis aréir fáilte a chur roimh an Aire Stáit mar nach raibh agam ach cúpla nóiméad chun labhairt ar an ábhar seo. Cuirim fáilte roimhe anois. Caithfidh mé a rá go gcuirim fáilte roimh an díospóireacht meáite agus cothrom seo. Tá dhá thaobh na hargóna á chloisteáil againn. Shuigh mé tríd trí huaire agus 15 nóiméad d'argóintí ar son an chonradh seo...

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 Apr 2012)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: I gave the Senators leave to speak. If they wish to hear the answer they should listen.

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 Apr 2012)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: I realise it is hard for the Senators to control themselves when we get to this type of debate. We were opposed the introduction of the water charges in the North.

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 Apr 2012)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: Senator Sheahan is welcome to come to Stormont with me to visit the relevant Minister, Conor Murphy, with whom I discussed the matter last week. He outlined how he invested £1 billion in water services in the North.

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 Apr 2012)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: He outlined how they opposed the imposition of water charges but it was defeated because the SDLP, the sister party of the Labour Party, stymied it.

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 Apr 2012)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: Senator Sheahan is dragging down the tone of the debate with his heckling.

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 Apr 2012)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: I note that when the Lisbon treaty was being debated, much of the same rhetoric was being used by members of Fianna Fáil and former taoisigh with regard to the groups opposing the referendum. That did not help the tone of the referendum. Many Members have asked about the Sinn Féin alternative. Senator Mooney stated he never heard about an alternative put forward by Sinn Féin. That was...

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 Apr 2012)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: One measure referred to in the pre-budget submission was the introduction of a wealth tax. It is interesting to note that Monsieur Hollande in France has brought up the issue there and he is considering the imposition of a 75% wealth tax for people who have more than €1 million. It is an option that can be considered and implemented but the Government has chosen not to do it here....

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 Apr 2012)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: The other sense I got from some of the contributions yesterday was that if we do not vote "Yes" for the treaty, in some way we are bad Europeans in that we are not playing ball with our European counterparts. Does that mean that, for example, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, the Danes and the Swedes, who have opted out of certain elements of EU treaties in the past, are not good...

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 Apr 2012)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: The text restates some of the old rules and strengthens more recent ones. However, placing these rules in an international treaty and giving it the protection of the Constitution makes these rules binding and permanent. In doing so, we will impose a specific and austere type of economics on the current and all future governments both in the State and the other member states which ratify it....

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 Apr 2012)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: It is the lead party in opposition. I am pleased the Senator mentioned that because it is obvious that Sinn Féin is the only party in the State opposing the treaty.

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 Apr 2012)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: I stand corrected by the Leader. The Socialist Workers Party also opposes the treaty.

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 Apr 2012)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: Yes, a number of groups oppose the treaty. That Sinn Féin is the only party in the Seanad to oppose it highlights that there is little difference between the economic policies pursued by previous Governments and those adopted by the Government. Fáiltím roimh an díospóireacht leathan chuimsitheach. Tá sé tábhachtach go mbéadh sí againn agus í a beith meáite agus cothrom agus muid...

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 Apr 2012)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: The treaty is not about membership of the euro.