Results 761-780 of 784 for speaker:Jimmy Harte

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Oct 2013)

Jimmy Harte: As already stated, I support the calls for a debate on enterprise and employment with the relevant Minister. I come from a business background and, as a result, I can see the positives in the budget. This budget is progressive for small businesses and towns that are struggling. Such businesses provide the lifeblood of such towns. For all the criticism in respect of it, there are many...

Seanad: County Enterprise Boards (Dissolution) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (16 Oct 2013)

Jimmy Harte: I thank the Minister of State for bringing this Bill through the Seanad. It is an important day for enterprise in light of the budget yesterday and the measures put in place. Obviously, however, to use the cliche, the proof of the pudding will be in the eating. It is important that areas such as counties Donegal and Sligo with which the Minister of State will be very familiar must get the...

Seanad: County Enterprise Boards (Dissolution) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (16 Oct 2013)

Jimmy Harte: Exactly. County Donegal has the people with such expertise and they just need that additional leg-up to get their products onto the markets. Consequently, I welcome the passage of the Bill and look forward to continued help from the LEOs.

Seanad: Gas Regulation Bill 2013: Second Stage (17 Oct 2013)

Jimmy Harte: Everyone is reluctant to sell off family silver. For this reason, the sale of State assets must be done under scrutiny and with due diligence. The departure from office of the previous Administration brought to mind the last days of Saigon. The Fianna Fáil-Green Party Government acceded to every demand made by the troika because the country was in such dire straits that it not have...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Oct 2013)

Jimmy Harte: I fully agree with Senator White's comments but not with her analysis. The record shows that this Government has the commitment but not the money, while the Northern Ireland Government has the money but not the commitment. I am sick and tired of listening to commentators from Sinn Féin telling us what this Government has not done for the A5 while its party is in power in Northern...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Oct 2013)

Jimmy Harte: I agree that the money should be spent. Obviously this Government does not have £500 million to complete the project. I have heard Sinn Féin complaining about this Government and the previous one, saying the money is there for the project. However, when it had the chance in Northern Ireland, being part of the Government and unable to run from the issue as it usually does and...

Seanad: Common Agricultural Policy: Statements (23 Oct 2013)

Jimmy Harte: I welcome the Minister to the Chamber. Coming from a rural part of Donegal, east Donegal, which traditionally was a strong farming area, I was always aware of the importance of farming. When I set up my own insurance business, I always knew that when farmers were doing well, everyone was doing well. Farming is so important to the local economy. My experience was that farmers usually spent...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Nov 2013)

Jimmy Harte: I congratulate Senator MacSharry on Sligo Rovers' fine victory on Sunday in the FAI Cup Final. Those of us who have played in the Aviva Stadium - Senators Gilroy and Moran and I - know how it feels to win a match there. Other Members of the House were there as well. We hammered the journalists who I hope are listening in. I welcome the appointment of Martin O'Neill and Roy Keane as...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Nov 2013)

Jimmy Harte: I welcome the news from Cabinet yesterday that a referendum on same-sex marriage will take place next year. The church in Ireland should reflect on the statement it made and take its lead from Pope Francis who has embraced the idea of asking people for their views. If the Catholic Church is to be saved, it will be Pope Francis who will save it. The church in Ireland seems to have come out...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Nov 2013)

Jimmy Harte: They were taken onto a scheme through EU money and Combat Poverty money; they were not interviewed.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Nov 2013)

Jimmy Harte: They used it as a job-bridge but they pulled the ladder up behind them. They do not want anybody else to get it.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Nov 2013)

Jimmy Harte: It is an anti-jobs party and we see the-----

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Committee Stage (6 Nov 2013)

Jimmy Harte: I can speak from experience as I have been in a small business for more than 25 years in which the average number of employees was four or five. It was never an issue. Any employer who has good staff would not consider telling them, "You will not be paid for three days, so hard luck". One does not create that type of relationship in a small business and expect to survive. We are moving...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Committee Stage (6 Nov 2013)

Jimmy Harte: It sets the policy.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Committee Stage (6 Nov 2013)

Jimmy Harte: I would like to speak about the issue of youth unemployment. The question of youth activation - getting people on the employment treadmill - gets a great deal of publicity. I have been receiving some criticism at local level, especially from members of Sinn Féin, about how badly the JobBridge scheme is being handled. I have read about the introduction of a graduate teaching scheme by...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Committee Stage (6 Nov 2013)

Jimmy Harte: It is the truth. That is the problem. It is the predictable truth.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Committee Stage (6 Nov 2013)

Jimmy Harte: The Sinn Féin Minister for Education in Northern Ireland is saying-----

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Committee Stage (6 Nov 2013)

Jimmy Harte: Okay. I just wanted to make this point.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Committee Stage (6 Nov 2013)

Jimmy Harte: That debate took place on Monday night. We should all engage in that grave debate.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013: Committee Stage (6 Nov 2013)

Jimmy Harte: It was not a smart comment. It was a serious comment. It is not a laughing matter.