Results 141-160 of 1,591 for speaker:Eugene Regan

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Dec 2007)

Eugene Regan: I seek a debate on these issues because there have been various remarks made about the profession. We should not underestimate the value of an independent Bar to Irish society.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2008)

Eugene Regan: We agreed a number of months ago that there would be a debate in the Seanad on the Lisbon Treaty. When will we have that debate? It is also agreed that there will be a referendum. When will we have it? The Taoiseach and the Government are playing games with the date for the referendum, which is damaging to the prospects of a full and open public debate on the treaty. I fully appreciate...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2008)

Eugene Regan: Liam Cosgrave was the first Taoiseach to address both Houses of Congress, followed by Garret FitzGerald on 15 March 1984 and John Bruton on 11 December 1996. I appreciate this is an important event and I do not wish to take from that. The Taoiseach also has other appointments, not least with the Mahon tribunal, and these are a distraction but this referendum is important to Ireland and to...

Seanad: The 70th Anniversary of the Constitution: Statements (30 Jan 2008)

Eugene Regan: The House is discussing the basic law of the country, the Constitution of 1937, which defines our representative democracy as one grounded in popular sovereignty, subject to the rule of law. It is sometimes easy to forget that among the former colonies, Ireland, in 1922, became the first to win independence and chose deliberately to make its legislation subject to the control of a Judiciary...

Seanad: The 70th Anniversary of the Constitution: Statements (30 Jan 2008)

Eugene Regan: All the amendments are based on that crusade.

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2008)

Eugene Regan: I wish to add to the observations on the ban on Brazilian beef. I worked for the Irish Farmers Association and represented their interests in Brussels during the 1970s. I agree with Senator O'Toole on the effectiveness of the IFA as a professional lobbying body. The work done by the IFA and other farming organisations in highlighting the difference in the treatment of farmers and beef...

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2008)

Eugene Regan: I appreciate it is frowned upon by some people to make such remarks about the Taoiseach, given his achievements. Senator Eoghan Harris has strong views about this matter, particularly in the context of——

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2008)

Eugene Regan: I am not raising any matters that are in the courts, although a matter related to a prosecution in the courts which a fellow Senator raised yesterday was entirely out of order. I am not speaking about courts but about an issue concerning the Taoiseach. Yesterday, I corrected a matter concerning the presentation by the Taoiseach of his unique address to the United States Congress. I pointed...

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2008)

Eugene Regan: It is wrong to appropriate the credit for the peace process to one man and use it as vindication for the Taoiseach and an excuse for not upholding the rule of law. We should address this issue at a future date.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Feb 2008)

Eugene Regan: Soon after this Seanad first met, the Leader indicated with some pride that the Taoiseach would address the House in early 2008. It is traditional for a newly elected Taoiseach to address the House. The Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern, did so in 2002 and 1997 and the former Taoiseach, Mr. John Bruton, did so in 1994. I ask the Leader whether it is the intention of the Taoiseach to address...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Feb 2008)

Eugene Regan: ——the Constitution that the Taoiseach and all officeholders are amenable to the Oireachtas, whatever about the courts. Approximately ten years ago the Taoiseach signed an order establishing the Moriarty tribunal, in the course of which Mr. Justice Moriarty cross-examined a Deputy on statements made by him in the House. I refer to Deputy Michael Lowry. The Taoiseach was responsible for...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Feb 2008)

Eugene Regan: While I have full respect for the Chair and I respect his direction——

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Feb 2008)

Eugene Regan: In the context of the Taoiseach coming to the House, I ask that he explain the situation. A crisis exists in our democracy. The Taoiseach has laid down a direct challenge to the Mahon tribunal, which was established by this House.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Feb 2008)

Eugene Regan: I will conclude. This raises a question of the fitness for office of the Taoiseach.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Feb 2008)

Eugene Regan: It also raises a question of the fitness for office of this Government.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Feb 2008)

Eugene Regan: I ask that the Taoiseach——

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Feb 2008)

Eugene Regan: I ask that the Taoiseach address this issue and the nature of the payments——

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Feb 2008)

Eugene Regan: ——he is so desperate to conceal——

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Feb 2008)

Eugene Regan: ——and whether those payments are of a corrupt nature.

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Second Stage (13 Feb 2008)

Eugene Regan: I appreciate the Minister of State's comprehensive introduction to the Bill and its main provisions. He referred to the Bill's timeliness and the priority given to it by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Brian Lenihan. However, the Bill is intended to implement the Council framework decision on combatting trafficking in human beings which was adopted on 19 July 2002...