Results 141-160 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

Seanad: Report on Seanad Reform: Motion (28 Nov 2007)

Alex White: I second the amendment. This is an extremely important debate. I commend the Green Party on bringing forward the debate forward relatively early in this session of the Seanad. Its members are doing us a service in doing so. I am happy to support the amendment to the Green Party motion for reasons to which I will return. We are here to promote debate and, hopefully, we can do that. One...

Seanad: Report on Seanad Reform: Motion (28 Nov 2007)

Alex White: Perhaps in future when Members on the other side are trying to get us to adopt a multi-party position on an issue, they might drop the word "welcome" in the context of the programme for Government, and that might get us thinking a little more quickly.

Seanad: Report on Seanad Reform: Motion (28 Nov 2007)

Alex White: I do not mind noting it but welcoming it causes me some difficulty.

Seanad: Report on Seanad Reform: Motion (28 Nov 2007)

Alex White: We can review the words. If we can discuss the basis for agreement as between the two proposals, let us do that in the course of the next two hours. This is an important debate for us to have. On the few occasions this debate has arisen in the House since I have become a Member, it has tended to be quite loud and sometimes intemperate.

Seanad: Report on Seanad Reform: Motion (28 Nov 2007)

Alex White: A bogus comparison, which I acknowledge is rhetorical, is made between the direct electoral college in the universities and the indirect college by which Members are elected by councillors. That does not compare like with like. Senator David Norris and other Members know that. There is a direct electorate in the universities and an indirect electorate of councillors. It is not...

Seanad: Report on Seanad Reform: Motion (28 Nov 2007)

Alex White: It is no use for Senator David Norris to say he was elected by 150 people.

Seanad: Report on Seanad Reform: Motion (28 Nov 2007)

Alex White: It is true in the sense of 150 people.

Seanad: Report on Seanad Reform: Motion (28 Nov 2007)

Alex White: Are we going to have a debate or this nonsense of interruption, and intemperate interruption at that? Let us just listen to each other. I will be listening to Senator Norris because I have great respect for him. On the question of universities, we need to know the proportion of all living graduates of Trinity College and the National University of Ireland who vote in elections or who are...

Seanad: Report on Seanad Reform: Motion (28 Nov 2007)

Alex White: Let us debate this. I am not convinced, but am open to being convinced, that there is a real, democratic basis for having a sub-electorate of university graduates electing Members to this House.

Seanad: Report on Seanad Reform: Motion (28 Nov 2007)

Alex White: If there should be, why should there not also be a sub-group of electors who have graduated from secondary schools, or of electors who are not graduates at all?

Seanad: Report on Seanad Reform: Motion (28 Nov 2007)

Alex White: The university panel was selected in the first instance for a very sound and solid historical reason dating from the 1930s. Trinity College and the Church of Ireland had a particular historical position that made the creation of the panel absolutely correct. Since I have become interested in politics, I have admired the work of past and present Members on the university panel, including Owen...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Dec 2007)

Alex White: I support Senator Fitzgerald's call for an adequate debate in this House on the nursing homes Bill when it is introduced. There have been reports in recent days on this matter and I ask the Leader to confirm whether it is intended to publish this Bill on Thursday this week or whether the matter has been clarified in the past few hours. It would be a matter of concern if such an important...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Dec 2007)

Alex White: When I refer to sufficient time I do not mean sufficient time only on the floor of the House. I mean sufficient time after the Bill's publication to allow people study it and prepare their views in order that it can be amended in this House over separate Stages. It would be unconscionable for the Government to seek to push legislation such as this through all Stages. If the legislation is...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Dec 2007)

Alex White: We must also ensure there is enough time to discuss it.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Dec 2007)

Alex White: Go on; tell us.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Dec 2007)

Alex White: He is the lord mayor.

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (4 Dec 2007)

Alex White: On behalf of the Labour Party I wish to be associated with the expressions of sympathy directed towards the family of Seán Keegan and the Fianna Fáil Party. I did not know Mr. Keegan personally but my colleague, Deputy Willie Penrose, knew him well as a man of considerable integrity with a strong agricultural background and an ear for all of his constituents. He was widely experienced and...

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2007)

Alex White: On a point of order, I understand the Senator wants to make his contribution on this matter. However, the Bill is set our in a systematic way. While I am not criticising the Senator, I ask the Chair whether we will be permitted to address such issues as we wish at any point in the debate or whether we will be asked or required to wait until that section. If Senator Callely is to be...

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2007)

Alex White: It is one or the other.

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2007)

Alex White: It is not on section 1, but section 29.