Results 1,461-1,480 of 4,465 for speaker:Jim Walsh

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008: Second Stage (29 Jan 2009)

Jim Walsh: I welcome the Minister of State and have listened with interest to the debate. We are living at a time when the status of politicians is not very high. It is popular in the media and elsewhere for the denigration of politicians to be the order of the day but a better system than the democratic one in place has not been devised. It is very easy, therefore, for people to be critical of every...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Feb 2009)

Jim Walsh: Like other Senators, I acknowledge and welcome the constructive contributions in this House on the current economic situation. We are facing the most difficult economic challenges any of us have seen in our lifetime. I am not sure whether we will emerge unscathed. I am not sure whether other countries, including the United States, which is the largest economy in the world, will be able to...

Seanad: Gas (Amendment) Bill 2008: Second Stage (3 Feb 2009)

Jim Walsh: In aonacht le mo chara ar an taobh eile den Teach, ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh an Aire Stáit, atá anseo inniu chun an Bhille gairid tábhachtach seo a phlé. Aontaím le mórán den méid a dúirt an Seanadóir O'Reilly san óráid a thug sé. While the Bill is short, it is none the less important and is intended to increase the borrowing provision of Bord Gáis Éireann from...

Seanad: Gas (Amendment) Bill 2008: Second Stage (3 Feb 2009)

Jim Walsh: Next Tuesday. Committee Stage ordered for Tuesday, 10 February 2009.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2009)

Jim Walsh: Like most Members of the House and people in the public service, I do not welcome a reduction in pay. However, most people, including many of the people interviewed in the media, recognise the seriousness of the situation and the fact that something must be done. This action might well preserve the very generous pensions we enjoy in the public service. Somebody who is earning €50,000 in...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2009)

Jim Walsh: The Senator is not bad at it.

Seanad: Electoral Amendment Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (4 Feb 2009)

Jim Walsh: There is an argument for changing from multi-seat to single seat constituencies, as Senator Bradford said last week. There have been unsuccessful referenda on this subject. My first political campaign was for this change in the late 1960s. I have observed multi-seat constituencies since and see that there is a need for close scrutiny of, and constructive debate on, single seat...

Seanad: Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Statements (5 Feb 2009)

Jim Walsh: I wish to share time with Senator Mark Daly. It is always very good to follow Senator Quinn, because he is always constructive. The business expertise and knowledge which he brings to the debate and the manner in which he puts forward very thoughtful points is beneficial for the debate. I compliment him in this regard. I listened to Senator John Paul Phelan also. I have been critical of...

Seanad: Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Statements (5 Feb 2009)

Jim Walsh: We should acknowledge that and encourage such contributions. I do not believe this side of the House should always take the same view. If we have a different opinion from the Government we should say so. Perhaps we should encourage the Government to take on board some of our opinions in that regard. We are in a very difficult situation. We are part of the global difficulties. I attended...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Feb 2009)

Jim Walsh: It was €16.5 billion.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Feb 2009)

Jim Walsh: On a point of information, it is €16.5 billion.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Feb 2009)

Jim Walsh: To follow on from the point made by Senator Regan, it is good to see the engagement between the Opposition and the Government because those of us who occasionally have the opportunity to observe what is happening in other jurisdictions will have noticed that the British Minister, Mr. Hill, made a comment at a party meeting that the world was facing the worst economic situation in 100 years....

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Feb 2009)

Jim Walsh: ——and everybody should recognise that. I appeal to the social partners to come and play their part as they have done in the past.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Feb 2009)

Jim Walsh: They have also been instrumental through benchmarking and otherwise in adding to the depth of the problems we face. We need solidarity from both the private and public sectors and turning on each other will be counter-productive. I hope we can move in that direction. The change in the mood in the House today has been a step in the right direction which I hope will last.

Seanad: Gas (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Feb 2009)

Jim Walsh: The section primarily provides for an increase in the borrowing allowance of Bord Gáis from the current amount of €1.7 billion to €3 billion. We understood from Second Stage that the €1.7 billion would be reached in 2009. We note that while that borrowing may take place in euro, foreign currency is also included. Given the volatility we have seen in the currency markets in recent...

Seanad: Gas (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Feb 2009)

Jim Walsh: The borrowing is for all of this purpose and this is the reason I am trying to deal with it in the absence of any amendments so we can get as much information as possible from the Minister of State who was very forthcoming on Second Stage. I welcome the provision in the Bill that the investment made by Bord Gáis will be subject to prior approval of the Minister and the Department. This is...

Seanad: Gas (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Feb 2009)

Jim Walsh: I welcome the response of the Minister of State who consistently demonstrates a firm grasp of the issues in this complex field. Both Senator O'Reilly and I emphasised the importance of competitiveness. The Minister of State echoed the Minister's comments in the other House about the likelihood of a double-digit reduction in energy prices. Such a move would be welcome to consumers and...

Seanad: Gas (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Feb 2009)

Jim Walsh: I compliment the Minister of State. Many Ministers come into the House, but he has shown himself to be very au fait with the issues that come before us. Senator O'Reilly is involved with the Joint Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and knows it covers a wide, broad and complex range of activities. It can be quite challenging to keep oneself briefed and up to speed on...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Feb 2009)

Jim Walsh: There is a temptation for politicians and everyone to concentrate on self-interest and pander to anger or the populist approach to advance sectional or self-interest, but that does nothing to address the seriousness of the problem we face. Only yesterday, the economic adviser to the President of the United States of America stated that the recession in the USA is deepening and that he does...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Feb 2009)

Jim Walsh: Can we have a ruling on that, a Chathaoirligh?