Results 781-800 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

Seanad: The Economy: Statements (5 Dec 2008)

Alex White: We are left with 100,000 empty houses.

Seanad: The Economy: Statements (5 Dec 2008)

Alex White: The Government blew it.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2008)

Alex White: I second Senator Norris's proposal that the Order of Business be amended to allow for a debate on No. 23 on the Order Paper. On the comments made in regard to the Veritas advertisement, I point out that it is only a few short months since this House debated this question in the context of the Broadcasting Bill. While I do not necessarily expect anybody on the opposite side to point that out...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2008)

Alex White: There is one upside to this; at least we will not have to listen to the Senator.

Seanad: Report of Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the EU: Statements (9 Dec 2008)

Alex White: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate and I also welcome the Minister of State to the House. The sub-committee's report provides and interesting and timely opportunity for us to revisit the issues we have previously discussed in the House. Like others, I do not want to repeat all the arguments in which we have engaged on the various occasions we have discussed the Lisbon...

Seanad: Report of Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the EU: Statements (9 Dec 2008)

Alex White: I can see the Senator is there. I genuinely believe that because in a sense people are predicating their political response on a fear which in most cases is not well founded. While I do not believe the question can be put to the people again in the same format, the question of our relationship with the European Union must be revisited. If it is bullying, I am sorry, but whether people like...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2008)

Alex White: I, too, wish to express my satisfaction with the resolution of our difficulties with the Order of Business on Fridays. I thank the Leader for meeting us on the issue. I concur with what has been said on the Lisbon treaty and the involvement of this House. We held a reasonably good debate on Tuesday but I note that some of my colleagues felt their contributions were curtailed towards the...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2008)

Alex White: Picking up on the frustrations expressed by my colleagues, it seems that these Houses are the last place the people should look to see what is being debated and what are the major decisions of Government. Ministers have come to this House in recent weeks on the request of Members from both sides to present the economic plans or proposals they may have. They have failed lamentably to do that...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2008)

Alex White: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2008)

Alex White: Where is it?

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2008)

Alex White: How did Senator Butler get on with the motion? Was it passed?

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2008)

Alex White: Is that a point of order?

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2008)

Alex White: Somebody has been doing a little work on the figures.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2008)

Alex White: I agree with what Senator O'Toole has said about the banks. It seems there will be an initiative early in 2009. We need to pause before we consider putting taxpayers' money into those banks in which certain activities, which have been exposed in recent days, appear to have been occurring. We do not know precisely what has been happening. We do not have the precise detail of the story that...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2008)

Alex White: It was about time for a resignation in that sector. I have to say, without trespassing too far into a personal matter, that the resignation about which we heard this morning was particularly welcome for me. As the Labour Party leader in this House, I ask the Cathaoirleach to allow me to briefly note the death in the past 24 hours of Dr. Conor Cruise O'Brien, who was a Member of the Seanad...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2008)

Alex White: Jingle bells.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jan 2009)

Alex White: We face a spectacle later when there will be a debate in both Houses on the economy and I suspect we will be treated to a contribution from the Government along the lines of the single transferable speech on the economy to which we have been listening in the House for three or four months. I hope I am wrong and if I am, I will accept it. However, I do not expect the Minister to come to the...

Seanad: Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse: Motion (27 Jan 2009)

Alex White: Like others, I support the proposal that the period of time afforded to the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse be extended for the period suggested. It is appropriate that this be done and the time suggested is not unreasonable, notwithstanding what others have said about the length of time the deliberations have taken to date. I thank the Minister of State for the details provided in...

Seanad: Economic Situation: Statements (27 Jan 2009)

Alex White: I begin by repeating a comment I made on the Order of the Business when I described as a spectacle the scenario that this House has been invited to have a debate on the economy, one which has been correctly facilitated by the Minister and the Leader, in circumstances in which the presentation made to us by the Government, through the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh — I do not criticise...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jan 2009)

Alex White: I reiterate my call yesterday for the framework document to be tabled before both Houses. It is not sustainable for the Government to say these matters will come to the Houses next week because, as Senator O'Toole suggested, we will have then essentially a fait accompli. We will not have serious input into an agreement, which, as the Senator rightly said, which is the subject of agreement...