Results 1,321-1,340 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

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

Alex White: I am speaking now and I am entitled to some respect. The Minister of State should not engage in a hissy fit because a Senator raises an issue. His reaction is outrageous and he should be more careful as to how he reacts to Members. He asked me to read the text, which is precisely what I am doing. He has also told me that the words in Table 1 mean something other than what they state.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jan 2010)

Alex White: I join the other voices in welcoming and congratulating Senator Mooney back to Seanad Éireann. I wish him every success - I hope he will not take this personally - in the short time he will be here.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jan 2010)

Alex White: I congratulate him and his family on his achievement.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jan 2010)

Alex White: I hope everybody's stay here will be just as short as Senator Mooney's. That was not a personal remark directed at him. As regards the banks, Senators Fitzgerald and O'Toole are absolutely right. It is extraordinary that we are not discussing the issue today. I ask the Leader to address it directly. I suspect he will say there is an issue about the availability of Ministers. We respect...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jan 2010)

Alex White: -----without touching on the personal culpability of individuals because there are other places in which that matter should be dealt with. I am a strong supporter of those who say the criminal justice system is where criminal charges ought to be dealt with. However, this does not prevent serious politicians who claim to have credibility from having an inquiry into the lending practices of...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Jan 2010)

Alex White: First, I have no difficulty saying it is wrong and unacceptable that there should be strike action in such essential public services as air traffic control. My understanding of the position, from what I read in the newspapers, is that the union has indicated it is prepared to have this matter negotiated and dealt with in the Labour Court but in response the management has said the union must...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2010)

Alex White: There is clearly a very serious issue in the North in the context of the ongoing talks which, it is hoped, will continue this afternoon and this evening. It is perplexing for people to realise that on the substantive devolution of policing powers to the North, there seems to be a roadblock. We do not want to say anything here that will in any way interfere with or make life even for a...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2010)

Alex White: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Banking Sector: Statements (26 Jan 2010)

Alex White: I welcome the Minister of State to the House to talk about the promised inquiry that is to be instigated into the banking system and related issues that have brought us to this position. I have had the opportunity to read his speech but I did hear him deliver it, so I do not know if he spoke about whether the investigation of the commission - most people accept that the preliminary stages...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jan 2010)

Alex White: I agree with those who have said they hope to see an agreement reached tomorrow in the North. It is in everyone's interests that agreement be arrived at through negotiations and talks this week. As we view what is happening in the North, it is appropriate to note the passing this week of a great Irish public servant who did much to shape our policy towards the North, Mr. Paddy McKernan. It...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2010)

Alex White: For the sake of the people facing searing debt I hope the proposals the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources mentioned over the weekend come to fruition. However, the Cathaoirleach will excuse me for expressing a certain amount of scepticism about that particular statement because it bears closer scrutiny. It refers to the setting up of an expert group, presumably to...

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (2 Feb 2010)

Alex White: In addition to Barnardos, a number of other bodies took the trouble to brief Members. The information they provided has proven extremely useful to Members as they consider the Bill. It is always of assistance when interested bodies take the time to prepare briefings, meet Members and share with them their experiences and also the difficulties they perceive in respect of the practical,...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Feb 2010)

Alex White: I agree with Senator Coghlan's call for a debate on the waste management issue. I am not sure if what Senator Boyle said is particularly helpful in terms of the ESRI report. It is true the ESRI is an economic research body, but for anyone to suggest that the management of waste and environmental matters is not an economic issue is absurd. Of course it is an economic issue, and it is quite...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Feb 2010)

Alex White: It is actually not rightly so. The Fianna Fáil Senator is quick to jump in, and in doing so makes my point for me.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Feb 2010)

Alex White: When we are talking about bonuses for senior civil servants, the reform of local government or all the other issues of concern to the public, the debate should be held in the Houses of the Oireachtas and not behind closed doors so that we do not have to tune into "Morning Ireland" to find out what was happening from some poor soul who was at the meeting. I will finish with the issue of reform...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Feb 2010)

Alex White: That is pathetic.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Feb 2010)

Alex White: This is an opportunity for us to ask questions of the Leader——

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Feb 2010)

Alex White: You will not be surprised to hear that there are many questions on my mind today after the events of the last 24 hours. I am sure there are questions on the minds of colleagues in front of me.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Feb 2010)

Alex White: I am tempted to ask the Leader when he thinks there might be a by-election held in the other House to fill the seat that was so quickly vacated in the last 24 hours in Dublin South. However, I should pass on that as it is a matter for the other House.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Feb 2010)

Alex White: I may be ex-RTE, but I have passed the eight month test in politics.