Results 1,141-1,160 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

Seanad: Developments in Northern Ireland: Statements (3 Nov 2009)

Alex White: I welcome this opportunity for a discussion on developments in Northern Ireland and welcome the Minister. Much of his speech could not be disagreed with. It was a reasonable summary of what has happened to date, the position on the institutions, policing and justice, and other areas of controversy that are slowly but surely winding their way towards resolution. I agree with the Minister's...

Seanad: Developments in Northern Ireland: Statements (3 Nov 2009)

Alex White: I go there frequently, in fact.

Seanad: Developments in Northern Ireland: Statements (3 Nov 2009)

Alex White: There is somebody speaking in my ear. I am not sure who it is.

Seanad: Developments in Northern Ireland: Statements (3 Nov 2009)

Alex White: Senator White has gratuitously taken the view that I do not visit the North.

Seanad: Developments in Northern Ireland: Statements (3 Nov 2009)

Alex White: I can show her my diary and demonstrate to her that in fact I do. We are not in a confession box here; we do not have to specify exactly how many times we have visited Northern Ireland. However, I can assure my colleague-----

Seanad: Developments in Northern Ireland: Statements (3 Nov 2009)

Alex White: -----that I certainly do go there, and I know other Members of the House do too.

Seanad: Developments in Northern Ireland: Statements (3 Nov 2009)

Alex White: What is the problem? Nobody has a claim to absolute righteousness in that regard.

Seanad: Developments in Northern Ireland: Statements (3 Nov 2009)

Alex White: Mainly thanks to Senator Mary White who has taken up a good minute and a half of it. The economic crisis changes the parameters of the debate. I note the Minister's statement that "the most immediate challenges facing Northern Ireland are not issues which divide people along Nationalist and Unionist lines". He is correct in this regard. The challenges are much greater, and the political...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2009)

Alex White: I support Senator Fitzgerald's call for a debate on social workers, particularly those dealing with children. The Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children with responsibility for children, Deputy Barry Andrews, should address the issue in this House. Like Senator Fitzgerald, I am a member of the Joint Committee on the Constitutional Amendment on Children. We hope to issue...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2009)

Alex White: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2009)

Alex White: Yes, the Act can be amended.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2009)

Alex White: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2009)

Alex White: "Strictly Come Dancing".

Seanad: Mortgage and Debt Support Measures: Motion (4 Nov 2009)

Alex White: I welcome the Fine Gael initiative and this motion which my party will support, in content and intention. Senator Boyle said he seeks to minimise the level of disagreement that exists. However, when we look at the amendment we do not see a real engagement with what was tabled by Fine Gael Members. Instead we see this tried and trusted formula, namely, to delete the entirety of what was...

Seanad: Mortgage and Debt Support Measures: Motion (4 Nov 2009)

Alex White: Even in circumstances where a mistake is made surely the telephone can be switched off. There has been a response on the banking issue. When we talk about people who face or are trapped in negative equity, it is not merely rhetorical for us to point out they cannot sell their house with the benefit of long-term economic value. A person stuck in negative equity who looks to sell to get out...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2009)

Alex White: I am afraid it is not credible to say that by his statement at the weekend the Taoiseach has got himself into the driving seat. The Taoiseach has been in the driving seat for 18 months in this country.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2009)

Alex White: Prior to that, he was in the seat beside the driver as he was in the Department of Finance for an extended period. I am not prepared to go along with the notion that the Taoiseach now has credibility on public sector reform. He just does not have that credibility. There is a cabinet sub-committee that is supposed to be meeting on this issue for the last year and a half, but the Taoiseach...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Nov 2009)

Alex White: We are entitled to have a Second Stage debate here too.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Nov 2009)

Alex White: That is the point.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Nov 2009)

Alex White: I wish to share time with Senator Ivana Bacik.