Results 1,301-1,320 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (17 Dec 2009)

Alex White: Actually, Standing Orders provide for a speaker giving way to allow for a correction in the interest of debate. I have no difficulty with that.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (17 Dec 2009)

Alex White: The Leas-Chathaoirleach has discretion to add on time at the end of my speech. These divisive attacks on public sector workers are not helping. I seldom have occasion to quote the former Member of the other House, Mr. Joe Higgins. I remember hearing him in a debate against Mr. Michael O'Leary at the time of the Lisbon treaty. Michael O'Leary made the point that he created many jobs. I...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2009)

Alex White: I very much hope we can, but it is not clear that we can. The coming year will tell a story. We have come to the end of a long and difficult year for many, although it was not as difficult for those of us who are privileged to have jobs and an opportunity to express our views in this Chamber and have them reported. We should remind ourselves from time to time that we live in a cocoon in...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2009)

Alex White: There is a conviction; that is the only perspective on it.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2009)

Alex White: Mr. Scargill would be surprised if he knew about the number of mentions he has received in this Chamber since his short, perhaps innocent trip to Ireland a few weeks ago. A day never passes on which he is not mentioned or invoked in some way in order to illustrate points being made. A Leas-Chathaoirligh, am I too late to move the amendment listed with this one, amendment No. 8?

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2009)

Alex White: On the principle underlying Senator Twomey's amendment, amendment No. 13, which provides for the possibility of reversing the pay cuts in the event of what are described as demonstrable improvements in efficiency occur in areas of the public service, I can understand where the Senator is coming from, but I am not sure whether it can be achieved through the amendment he has tabled. However,...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2009)

Alex White: The issues in amendment No. 8 are similar. They reflect the point that it is unquestionably preferable that where agreement can be reached in regard to these issues, it should be sought, pursued and obtained, whether in the workplace or nationally. I have heard a viewpoint, although not necessarily in this Chamber, that it is better for the unions to be seen to be beaten. That is a point...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2009)

Alex White: As did the Government last April.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2009)

Alex White: He is invoked on a daily basis in this House.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2009)

Alex White: I have concerns as to whether what will be achieved by the section is what the Government intends. The Minister of Finance said in his Budget Statement that the salaries of the Taoiseach and Ministers, including Ministers of State, would be reduced by 15% and 20%, respectively, as recommended by the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector in its report published on 11...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2009)

Alex White: On a point of order, I was not dealing with an amendment. I was speaking on the section.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2009)

Alex White: Table 1 in section 2 states that the reduction is 10% "of remuneration". That is intended to mean 10% of all remuneration.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2009)

Alex White: Then it should really state that. If we look at the rest of the Act, section 2(2) seems to suggest that a person is either covered under one or the other. Section 2(2) states: (2) Where the remuneration of a public servant is fixed by a relevant provision, then, subject to subsections (3) and (4), the relevant provision shall be taken to have been amended so that the remuneration is— (a)...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2009)

Alex White: That does not appear in the Bill. The Minister of State now tells me that this is the intention of the Government, but why is it not in the Bill?

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2009)

Alex White: There is a manifest ambiguity. I will go back to section 2(2) to demonstrate that there is a clear ambiguity, if an ambiguity can be clear. The salary of the Taoiseach, the Ministers and the Ministers of State will be dealt with one way or the other, which is the clear intention of section 2(2). Part of section 2(2) states: (a) in the case of persons to whom Table 1 to this section...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2009)

Alex White: The Minister of State keeps saying things that do not answer the point I am making. If table 1 means what it states, the remuneration to which it applies is the emoluments that the Taoiseach and the other Ministers receive for their services as holders of the qualifying office specifically referred to in that table. It does not refer to any other emoluments. Table 1 states "Taoiseach"...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2009)

Alex White: How am I misreading it? The Minister of State should read it.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2009)

Alex White: I know that.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2009)

Alex White: Why is the Government introducing legislation?

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2009)

Alex White: The Minister of State should relax. Is he suggesting Senators may not raise such issues in the House?