Results 1,341-1,360 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Feb 2010)

Alex White: In the course of debates about NAMA, the Minister for Finance was keen to tell us how supportive the IMF was of the project. Why did he not inform the Houses that the IMF was of the solemn view that the NAMA project would not have any impact and would not lead to a significant increase in lending by Irish banks? There have been many references to the quality of the debate in these Houses,...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Feb 2010)

Alex White: Of course, he did not give us that information because it did not suit his purposes to tell us. It is a dereliction of duty to these Houses not to tell us what the IMF has said just because it does not suit the Government's case, especially since the Government is so quick to invoke the IMF in its support. That is wrong. Why is a freedom of information request by a newspaper required to...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Feb 2010)

Alex White: That was the case made over and over again. I do not see why those on the Independent benches are so quick to defend the Minister for Finance.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Feb 2010)

Alex White: The case was made as recently as yesterday by the Minister for Finance when he said the purchasing of bad loans by NAMA would increase to ensure the banks could get back to lending. That was the case being made and there is an attempt being made to resile from that position.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Feb 2010)

Alex White: That is outrageous. On a point of information, it is 16 years since I was an employee of RTE.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Feb 2010)

Alex White: The events of recent days give rise to very important issues which go beyond the personalities concerned. I agree with Senators O'Toole and Harris on the importance of having a debate on the nature and quality of representation and what we can expect from politicians and people in public life. I have just come from a meeting of the Joint Committee on the Constitution which is wrestling with...

Seanad: Youth Unemployment: Motion (10 Feb 2010)

Alex White: What about Senator O'Malley?

Seanad: Youth Unemployment: Motion (10 Feb 2010)

Alex White: On a point of order, if I have two minutes, I will be happy to give at least one to Senator O'Malley.

Seanad: Youth Unemployment: Motion (10 Feb 2010)

Alex White: I thank all of my colleagues who participated in this important debate. I also thank the Minister of State for attending, being attentive and what he had to say in responding to the debate. As Senator O'Malley said, job creation should be at the core of the economic debate we need to have. However, one could be forgiven for thinking otherwise in observing the Government's communication of...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Feb 2010)

Alex White: I have no objection to the House discussing the emergency funding for Greece today but in the current circumstances I would much prefer to discuss the position in Ireland. Given all the calls made on the Order of Business by Members on both sides of the House for debates to be held on issues of importance, I am curious to know why the Leader responded so quickly to the brief reference made...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Feb 2010)

Alex White: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Power Sharing Agreement in Northern Ireland: Motion (17 Feb 2010)

Alex White: I wish to share time with Senator Hannigan.

Seanad: Power Sharing Agreement in Northern Ireland: Motion (17 Feb 2010)

Alex White: I welcome the past two week's developments in the North, especially what has been achieved in policing and justice. No society can hope to attain any form of normality or legitimacy without control of something as basic and fundamental as policing and justice issues. They go to the heart of the kind of consensus that any society needs to have and the type of contract people have with each...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Feb 2010)

Alex White: When our colleague former Senator Deirdre de Búrca resigned from the House last week, she stated one matter of great concern to her former colleagues was that the Green Party was having rings run around it by Fianna Fáil. We did not have long to wait in order that——

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Feb 2010)

Alex White: Does the Leader agree that we did not have long to wait to witness precisely what former Senator de Búrca was upset about?

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Feb 2010)

Alex White: It is entirely relevant. With great respect to the Cathaoirleach——

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Feb 2010)

Alex White: With great respect to the Cathaoirleach, it is entirely relevant to the business of the House. We have the spectacle of a Government, senior members of which claim to have confidence in the Minister in the other House, but others do not have that confidence here.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Feb 2010)

Alex White: What possible credibility could attach to any Government, the senior members of which appear not to be able to make up their minds in respect of confidence in a senior, experienced Minister of considerable longevity in the Cabinet? We are aware Deputy Gogarty has a background in circus performances but it would appear now the entire Green Party has reduced itself to a circus act. It takes...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Feb 2010)

Alex White: I join with others in welcoming Senator Mark Dearey to the House and I wish him well. The benches opposite are changing Members with dizzying frequency at the moment, and I think Senator Dearey, who I do not know but of whom I know, will add considerably to the business and work of this House. I wish him well in that regard. I do not want to say too much about the developments this morning...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Feb 2010)

Alex White: I find it extraordinary that you should say it is not relevant.