Results 1,101-1,120 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2009)

Alex White: That was not the question I asked.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2009)

Alex White: The Cathaoirleach's comment fortifies Senator O'Toole's statement about the necessity for the CPP to consider this.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2009)

Alex White: I will not dwell on the issue now because it is more appropriate to the committee. I sit on that committee and will make my views clear there. It is absurd to suggest that a Member of the Parliament, duly elected to this House, cannot comment on persons outside. The whole country is talking about particular individuals and it is nonsensical to suggest that this the only place in which...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2009)

Alex White: I have respect for the Chair and for his ruling and we will all follow it. We all understand our position here and that we are covered by absolute privilege. We understand the responsibility given to us and we all, generally, observe that. My colleague, Senator Hannigan, said yesterday that he did not think Tony Blair should be made president of the European Union. Nobody in their right...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2009)

Alex White: That should happen because neither I nor my party will agree to such a broad restriction on Members. It is nonsensical. I do not mean that the Chair is nonsensical but such a restriction would be nonsensical. I maintain absolute respect for the Chair and for this forum but that kind of restriction is too onerous. I did not receive a response from the Leader to a question I put yesterday...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2009)

Alex White: The Leader was not listening to the question. The Leader either was not listening or chose for his own purposes to answer an easier question, which he does from time to time.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2009)

Alex White: I have the question so that it may be absolutely clear.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2009)

Alex White: In April this year the Government made it clear that €4 billion must be found in savings in December. We can tick that box because we know it. The Government stated also that this figure would be broken down into €2.5 billion in expenditure cuts and €1.5 billion in taxation measures. In August, out of the blue, the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, said the entirety of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2009)

Alex White: Can it be made any clearer?

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2009)

Alex White: That is my question.

Seanad: Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (7 Oct 2009)

Alex White: Although I am not recording a conflict of interest, I come from a background in which I am a legal practitioner specialising in employment and labour law, representing at different times employers, employees, trade unions and, occasionally, employer groups. This is important amending legislation which, in its broad scope, the Labour Party will support. The Minister of State has indicated...

Seanad: Death of Member: Expressions of Sympathy (13 Oct 2009)

Alex White: I join the Cathaoirleach and the Leader in expressing sympathy with Senator Callanan's family, his many friends in Cork and further afield and, as Senator Cummins stated, with the members of the Fianna Fáil Party in the House who have lost another one of their close colleagues and friends here. I endorse what has been said about Senator Callanan. I found him to be a most courteous and...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2009)

Alex White: I am extremely disappointed that the Government appears to have lost out on the opportunity afforded to it when its representatives met the social partners - I believe they are still referred to in this way but the title may now be something of a misnomer - to engage in any real or meaningful discussion, particularly with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. The Government's current line is,...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2009)

Alex White: Over and over again, Members were exploding with indignation. I include in that the Senator who has just-----

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2009)

Alex White: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2009)

Alex White: There is a serious point to be made in respect of this matter. It was stated on the radio a few moments ago that in the eyes of many members of the public, the show was over for the Seanad. It may seem I am adopting a holier-than-thou attitude. However, I accept that I am sometimes not behind the door in interrupting other Members.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2009)

Alex White: Members of Parliament should have a better sense of what-----

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2009)

Alex White: This is another example of that to which I am referring.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2009)

Alex White: People who have been Members of Parliament for 20 years or more do not appear to be able to act with a basic level of decorum.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2009)

Alex White: During yesterday's proceedings Senator Regan took the opportunity to misquote me. I never stated this House served no useful purpose. I am not a supporter or member of the Fine Gael Party. However, for Senator O'Toole to describe what seems to be a genuine proposal that we consider the concept of institutional reform - including as it relates to this House - as harking back to the 1930s is...