Results 781-800 of 1,591 for speaker:Eugene Regan

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Jun 2009)

Eugene Regan: Regarding the Lisbon treaty and the guarantees which are now being put in place, I welcome the progress that has been made. As Senator Norris said, we need clear language on this and we are getting that. We had a confused, emotionally charged referendum campaign on the last occasion and it is time to end the emotional blackmail that existed at that time. We now have clear language being...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Jun 2009)

Eugene Regan: The National Assets Management Agency is mandated to assume the toxic loans of the banks and, where necessary, call in the securities provided and realise the value of the properties in question. The Government has not addressed a technical problem of fundamental importance to the ability of NAMA to realise the assets which underpin the loans it proposes to assume. This problem, of which...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Jun 2009)

Eugene Regan: In 2006, Ms Justice Laffoy noted a lacuna in the law and stated it was for legislators to remedy it. As no action has been taken, I ask the Leader to address the matter to the Minister. The question of family homes does not arise in this respect as such properties are afforded additional constitutional and statutory protections. The problem relates to commercial and agricultural property...

Seanad: Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion (17 Jun 2009)

Eugene Regan: I thank the Minister of State for his exposition of the situation with regard to terrorism on the island of Ireland and the need for this legislation to be continued. Fine Gael fully supports the continuation of the provisions of the Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 given the deterioration in the situation over the past year. I refer to the killings of British Army soldiers,...

Seanad: Death of former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (17 Jun 2009)

Eugene Regan: I knew Michael Howard very briefly, but found him a unique gentleman. His insight into Irish politics, and the Seanad and its operation in particular, was profound. I am privileged to have known him and am proud to say he was a friend of mine. Senator Fitzgerald spoke about his ability as a strategist and his experience of 20 years in the Seanad. I was the beneficiary of some of that...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2009)

Eugene Regan: I wish to ask the Leader about the empty chair policy of the Green Party in this House.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2009)

Eugene Regan: I mentioned the party.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2009)

Eugene Regan: It is a question to the Leader.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2009)

Eugene Regan: It is an important question. I would have to blame the Leader because he went public on this issue about the Seanad nomination. It is important to this House because the question is whether the Green Party Members are operating an empty chair policy. Is it simply about this nomination or is it more fundamental about whether the Green Party is supporting the Government, be it on the Lisbon...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2009)

Eugene Regan: I would add that if the Green Party has a problem we may be able to assist it. If it would vote for a candidate from this side of the House, we might be able to facilitate it and if its Members came back into the Chamber, we could discuss that.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Jun 2009)

Eugene Regan: Acceptance of the Lisbon treaty is the prerequisite for getting the economy right. In addition, we must work with our friends in Europe in order to resolve our relationships with them. Our European partners have proven to be our friends in the context of showing economic solidarity in the current crisis. They have also proven to be our friends in respect of how they accommodated the...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Jun 2009)

Eugene Regan: ——on the treaty and how it will be interpreted in the future. Even for Senator Norris that leaves a solid basis for meaningful debate in this House for the future.

Seanad: Multi-Unit Developments Bill 2009: Second Stage (23 Jun 2009)

Eugene Regan: I thank the Minister for his comprehensive introduction of the Bill. This is welcome and is very much needed. In many ways, it is long overdue. Major problems existed for apartment owners when they could not get ownership of the development from the original developer. Unfair and often exorbitant service charges were imposed and, in many cases, owners were unaware of the basis by which...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2009)

Eugene Regan: I wish to mention an article in The Irish Times today with the headline "Arthur Cox appointed banking adviser without tender". The matter was raised in the House before. This firm is advising NAMA following a tender which was recently awarded. It is also advising the Minister for Finance, Bank of Ireland and developers on NAMA. I am not sure we have learned any lessons in regard to...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2009)

Eugene Regan: Time up.

Seanad: Dairy Industry: Motion (24 Jun 2009)

Eugene Regan: We can delete that word.

Seanad: Dairy Industry: Motion (24 Jun 2009)

Eugene Regan: While I thank the Minister for that exposé on the dairy sector, it is disappointing he did not address the motion before the House. He spoke about many issues concerning the dairy sector. We all recognise its importance and the serious situation it is in. What part of the Fine Gael motion does the Minister disagree with? It calls on the Government to deliver a comprehensive framework in...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jun 2009)

Eugene Regan: Smothering debate on the economy has cost the country dearly. Before the previous general election anyone who spoke about the economy was accused of talking it down. We all recognise we have a serious problem. Senator Leyden is suggesting that we do not talk about the economy again in case we interfere with the Government's actions in this area. The fact is that the Government is still in...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jun 2009)

Eugene Regan: So everything is okay.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (30 Jun 2009)

Eugene Regan: Let me draw the House's attention to the decision of the German constitutional court, which found the Lisbon treaty was compatible with the federal constitution. There are some adjustments required in domestic law but the fundamental fact is that it has been found that the Lisbon treaty is compatible with basic German law. The judgment found that the European Union is based on international...