Results 1,541-1,560 of 4,465 for speaker:Jim Walsh

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Apr 2009)

Jim Walsh: If the agenda of this unrepresentative group started with embryonic stem cell research, where embryos are destroyed and one prevents life occurring, and is moving to involuntary euthanasia and killing people when they get to a stage in life where they are not useful or productive, what is next? Infanticide?

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Apr 2009)

Jim Walsh: I seek an urgent debate on this issue. It is absolutely scandalous and shame on the Senator opposite who seeks to support this type of activity in our society.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Apr 2009)

Jim Walsh: Amnesia.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Apr 2009)

Jim Walsh: Does Senator Buttimer want us to legislate——

Seanad: Supplementary Budget Statement 2009: Statements (9 Apr 2009)

Jim Walsh: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit go bpléifimid an t-ábhar airgeadais anseo. To pick up on Senator Mullen's last point, we have a proud tradition of charitable donations and State support for the overseas development sector. It is a pity given the climate that it must be revisited but we must remember that we are in the vanguard when it comes to meeting the 0.7% of gross domestic...

Seanad: Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Programme: Statements (23 Apr 2009)

Jim Walsh: I thank Senator Feeney for sharing her time with me and join her in congratulating the Minister of State on her promotion, which is a distinct honour. I have known the Minister of State for many years and am sure she will excel in her new position because she has the commitment necessary to meet her new responsibilities. She will have the goodwill of everyone in this House in that regard. I...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2009: Second Stage (29 Apr 2009)

Jim Walsh: I thank Senator Brady for sharing time. I welcome the Minister and compliment her on the initiatives she has taken in the Department. What she has outlined shows she has a formula for dealing with the unprecedented fiscal situation, which is not easy. The background is that the social welfare increases have exceeded the rate of inflation. The Minister and her predecessors were emphatic in...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2009: Second Stage (29 Apr 2009)

Jim Walsh: I wish to sound a note of caution regarding the Minister's assertion that the post-retirement element of people's pension entitlements will attract a lower priority under this scheme. That is fine and no one would argue with what is proposed, especially in circumstances where there is deflation or extremely low inflation. However, some economists are predicting that following this serious...

Seanad: Gangland Crime: Statements (30 Apr 2009)

Jim Walsh: Ba mhaith liom fáilte a chuir roimh an Aire Stáit. Gabhaim chomhghairdeas leis as ucht bheith athcheaptha ag an Rialtas. Tá an onóir sin tuillte aige. Tá súil agam go n-éireoidh go maith leis sna blianta atá amach romhainn. I welcome the Minister of State and congratulate him on his re-appointment. He brings to his office a practical mind honed on good local government...

Seanad: Gangland Crime: Statements (30 Apr 2009)

Jim Walsh: This issue poses a serious challenge. If someone comes from the Blueshirt wing of a party, he or she obviously would feel proprietorial about security issues.

Seanad: Gangland Crime: Statements (30 Apr 2009)

Jim Walsh: The Minister of State has clearly pointed out the growth in the number of organised and ruthless crimes and the need to step up our security in response. We have recent and unfortunate experience of the threat posed by gangs to society and to the integrity and effectiveness of the criminal judicial system. Unlike Senator Regan, I believe that much has been done in recent years. The number...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 May 2009)

Jim Walsh: I support the call by Senator Fitzgerald for some progress to be made on the dispute that has arisen between the Ombudsman for Children and the HSE. I am not going to take sides in this because I do not know the facts. I hope there is not an element of grandstanding going on. Equally, however, I was not impressed by the suggestion, which was stated by the Ombudsman for Children, that the...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 May 2009)

Jim Walsh: I did not interrupt.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 May 2009)

Jim Walsh: Anyone who has listened to the Minister on the various occasions he has attended this House to debate the Adoption Bill will be well aware of his absolute commitment and grasp of the issues involved. Those issues need to be resolved. I support the comments by Senator Leyden on the €6 billion being made available by Irish pension funds for investment in infrastructure. Hopefully, that will...

Seanad: Energy Resources: Motion (6 May 2009)

Jim Walsh: Long Island.

Seanad: Energy Resources: Motion (6 May 2009)

Jim Walsh: Ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh an Aire Stáit. In éineacht le Seanadóirí eile, ba mhaith liom an Seanadóir Quinn a mholadh as ucht an rún seo a chur ar an chlár. Mar a dúirt an Seanadóir Mullen, tá ábhar fíor-tábhachtach agus oiriúnach os ár gcomhair. Tá dualgas orainn an ábhar fíor-thábhachtach seo a phlé go minic. I listened carefully to Senator Quinn's...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 May 2009)

Jim Walsh: I concur fully with the comments of Senator O'Toole regarding welcoming people into the political profession. Undoubtedly, while there is tremendous cynicism about politics across the country, most people who interact with politicians will acknowledge privately that most politicians are hardworking, genuine and earnest about what they do. We need people from all strata of society, walks of...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 May 2009)

Jim Walsh: -----fallen in value by 3% in the last ten years, whereas we had a major increase in property values, as had Britain and other Western democracies. The German economy will shrink by 5% despite that. Will the Leader allow for a debate on the entire spectrum of the global economic downturn?

Seanad: Order of Business (7 May 2009)

Jim Walsh: We must have an objective debate. We all must endeavour to support the initiatives being taken, which are the only initiatives that can arrest the downturn and position us to avail of the upturn when it comes. I call for such a debate as soon as possible.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2009)

Jim Walsh: It is under the remit of local authorities.