Results 1,461-1,480 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

Seanad: Order of Business (12 May 2010)

Alex White: I agree with the previous speakers. While I am an optimist by nature, for the past two or two and a half years many Senators have called for this type of a quality debate but no steps have been taken in that direction. I am afraid I am rapidly becoming a pessimist in relation to the attitude taken towards this Chamber by the Government. This is unfortunate because I would much prefer to...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 May 2010)

Alex White: We will see if anything happens because nothing has happened.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 May 2010)

Alex White: If there is to be a debate across the Chamber, will we be allowed to interrupt the Leader when he concludes the Order of Business? I never interrupt him. It is interesting to note the new approach he is taking but if that is what he wants, he can have it in spades. He is not interested in having a real debate.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 May 2010)

Alex White: In respect of something the House can do, I listened yesterday to many colleagues commenting on the statement made by the Archbishop of Dublin. While people have every right to comment on the issue, as to what the archbishop meant and so forth, I did not choose to engage on the matter because it is one for the archbishop and the church. I am interested, however, in what we, as...

Seanad: Code of Conduct for Civil Servants: Motion (12 May 2010)

Alex White: It is important to have this discussion and I welcome the fact that the Green Party has facilitated it. However, we are just skimming on the surface of a much more profound set of problems. While I agree with the proposal, none of us should fool ourselves into thinking that if we introduce such a measure it would confront or deal with many of the fundamental problems and concerns we have...

Seanad: Code of Conduct for Civil Servants: Motion (12 May 2010)

Alex White: I am reasonably certain. I may be less certain about a by-election than some other things. I am looking forward to many things. Of course we would prefer to be considering an actual proposal of legislation rather than stating we look forward to it. I agree with Senator Twomey on that point that it is harmless enough. From the point of view of it facilitating a discussion, I am prepared...

Seanad: Public Service Agreement 2010-2014: Statements (13 May 2010)

Alex White: I thank Senator Doherty for sharing his time with me. Owing to an oversight on my part, I thought this debate was to continue into the afternoon. Therefore, I am grateful to have time to contribute. I listened carefully to what Senator Brady said. I have rarely heard a more balanced and fair-minded treatment of the current situation in regard to industrial relations and the Croke Park deal...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 May 2010)

Alex White: With regard to legislation, I suspect we will motor along at our current pace, but from about the third or fourth week of June-----

Seanad: Order of Business (18 May 2010)

Alex White: -----to the middle of July, when the Houses will go into recess, there will be a torrent of legislation. Last year in July there were five or six Bills from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform in a period of ten days. I do not blame the Leader, but it is an extraordinary way for the Government to run the business of both Houses. I am resisting the collapse into cynicism...

Seanad: Ombudsman for Children Report on Children First Guidelines: Statements (19 May 2010)

Alex White: I am in almost complete agreement with what has just been said. However, politics enters the equation when we come to discuss the requirement to allocate resources, expand provision and fund changes and improvements to services. At its heart, politics relates to the allocation of public resources and the setting of priorities. As stated on previous occasions, I have never perceived debates...

Seanad: Ombudsman for Children Report on Children First Guidelines: Statements (19 May 2010)

Alex White: When discussing reports of this nature, Members tend to make Second Stage speeches and engage in something of a rhetorical analysis. In circumstances where terrible tragedies have taken place and where undoubted gaps in provision have been exposed as a result of some of the awful events that have occurred, I am continually prompted to inquire as to what Opposition politicians can do. The...

Seanad: Ombudsman for Children Report on Children First Guidelines: Statements (19 May 2010)

Alex White: I understand the difficulties involved.

Seanad: Ombudsman for Children Report on Children First Guidelines: Statements (19 May 2010)

Alex White: The Minister of State indicated he intends to take action. In such circumstances, it is not unreasonable for us to request that an objective timeline be put in place. Everyone would be interested in there being a greater degree of clarity. The question of recruiting 265 additional social workers has been invoked on many occasions.

Seanad: Ombudsman for Children Report on Children First Guidelines: Statements (19 May 2010)

Alex White: I do not mind arguing the toss with the Minister in respect of this matter. Apparently, however, procedures do not appear to allow for that.

Seanad: Ombudsman for Children Report on Children First Guidelines: Statements (19 May 2010)

Alex White: I do not mind engaging in an argument. It might be possible to make more progress if we proceeded in that way.

Seanad: Ombudsman for Children Report on Children First Guidelines: Statements (19 May 2010)

Alex White: The Minister of State indicated the HSE has been given approval to recruit an additional 265 child welfare and protection staff, including 200 social workers, in 2010. He also stated that the recruitment process is currently under way and will continue until the additional posts are filled. How many of these posts have been advertised?

Seanad: Ombudsman for Children Report on Children First Guidelines: Statements (19 May 2010)

Alex White: Approximately one year ago, I heard that an additional 270 social workers were to be recruited. How many advertisements have been placed in the newspapers in respect of this matter? Will all of the posts be net new posts? There was a suggestion at one stage that people within the system would be redeployed. I expect the Minister of State will be able to provide information in this regard....

Seanad: Ombudsman for Children Report on Children First Guidelines: Statements (19 May 2010)

Alex White: The Minister of State accepts that additional staff are required. It is not unreasonable, therefore, for us to inquire as to how many new staff have been introduced to the system. I simply do not understand the delay in bringing forth the so-called soft information in vetting, something which has been promised for a good 18 months. In my presence the Minister of State indicated to the...

Seanad: Ombudsman for Children Report on Children First Guidelines: Statements (19 May 2010)

Alex White: I am glad the Senator is not being political. It is a great relief.

Seanad: Ombudsman for Children Report on Children First Guidelines: Statements (19 May 2010)

Alex White: Social workers.