Results 741-760 of 1,591 for speaker:Eugene Regan

Seanad: Order of Business (7 May 2009)

Eugene Regan: Yes, I have two questions for the Leader. I have mentioned issues of political corruption and competence. There is a serious question of political incompetence and we are paying the price for it. The Taoiseach, Deputy Cowen, does not have a mandate from the country one year after his elevation to that position. He does not seem to have a mandate from his coalition partners, given the...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 May 2009)

Eugene Regan: I ask the Leader to address that because it is of fundamental importance in how we go forward.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 May 2009)

Eugene Regan: The Senator should have some respect for the Chair.

Seanad: Corporate Governance: Motion (13 May 2009)

Eugene Regan: The motion is non-contentious and I do not understand why the Government could not agree to it. The motion invites the Government to act on certain legislation, political lobbying, whistleblowers' protection, good corporate governance and restoring the original provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 1997. It does not condemn the Government but invites it to act in these areas. I do...

Seanad: Corporate Governance: Motion (13 May 2009)

Eugene Regan: The Minister of State should look at the polls.

Seanad: Corporate Governance: Motion (13 May 2009)

Eugene Regan: The Minister of State almost let the cat out of the bag there.

Seanad: Tax Code (13 May 2009)

Eugene Regan: Will the Minister of State clarify the provisions in stamp duty legislation? I understand they do not provide for Revenue to accommodate a phased payment system for individual taxpayers who have a liability but who due to economic difficulties cannot make the repayment on a lump sum basis. Revenue provides such an accommodation in other areas of taxation for taxpayers who get into...

Seanad: Tax Code (13 May 2009)

Eugene Regan: First-time buyers who are exempt from stamp duty are aware of the position on entering into the transaction, which the Minister of State said is important, and they know their liability is zero. However subsequently, due to unforeseen circumstances, if they find themselves in difficulty and it is not practical for them to remain the occupier of the property they purchased, they must pay the...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2009)

Eugene Regan: There was an example and an exhibition of gutter politics in the House last week when Senator Leyden attacked George Lee and RTE's objectivity in respect of its economic reporting.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2009)

Eugene Regan: While Senator Ó Murchú is more polite, nevertheless it still is the same attack on RTE's reporting and its objectivity in recent months. It also constitutes gutter politics even though it is more polite. When there is positive news on the economy, it is correct to report it, but the reporting by one economist on RTE of some positive news, to which I referred in the House last week,...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2009)

Eugene Regan: -----will not be as speedy as was originally intended. While all Members wish to get out of the current economic mess, if one wishes to continue with the economic lie that we have talked ourselves into recession and if one has learned no lessons about attacks such as that by the former Taoiseach on those who should commit suicide-----

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2009)

Eugene Regan: He referred to those who talked about a problem in the economy and the unsustainability of economic policies. I will conclude by asking the Leader a question.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2009)

Eugene Regan: If we wish to change the heads of the banks because they have caused the problems in the banking system or the regulator who has failed to regulate, does it not follow that the leaders in government who have caused the problem in our economy and who have been part of the problem-----

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2009)

Eugene Regan: -----are not the people to find the solutions?

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2009)

Eugene Regan: I ask the Leader to respond to that question.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 May 2009)

Eugene Regan: The Seanad has come in for a lot of criticism lately, some of it fair and some of it unfair. In my experience, this House provides an excellent forum for exposing corruption and incompetence in Government, for scrutinising legislation and raising issues of public concern and public interest. It has stood the test of time and Irish democracy would be poorer if the Seanad was not to continue...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 May 2009)

Eugene Regan: I understand the motion re European Commission proposals on Schengen evaluation mechanisms is to be taken without debate this morning. Will the Leader arrange a full debate on the Schengen Agreement, perhaps when this evaluation has been carried out? Given that the common travel area between Ireland and the United Kingdom is the subject of major revision at present, it is important for us...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (20 May 2009)

Eugene Regan: The Government should have got it right the first time.

Seanad: Property Services (Regulation) Bill 2009: Second Stage (21 May 2009)

Eugene Regan: I take issue with Senator Walsh's statement in which he attacked the Judiciary. That was entirely inappropriate. Our Constitution sets out the separation of powers and it is incumbent on every Member of this House and the Lower House to respect that provision. Senator Walsh overstepped the mark when he attacked the Judiciary.

Seanad: Property Services (Regulation) Bill 2009: Second Stage (21 May 2009)

Eugene Regan: I appreciate that. It is easy to condemn an entire business and profession. There are rogues in every business and there should be legislation, sanctions and enforcement procedures to ensure they are held to account. That is the basis for the demand for this legislation to regulate the profession. If there is a failure in the system, it is a failure to provide the necessary legislative...