Results 1,601-1,620 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Oct 2010)

Alex White: I spoke about it in the House last week. I will not be speaking when the Leader tells me to.

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

Alex White: There has never been a time, good or bad, when there has not been a debate on the need for reform in the public service. I do not make this point because I want to diminish the importance of this debate and achieving real reform in the public service. However, it is interesting to note that it is a constant dynamic in public debate and discussion. As we approach the budget, people are free...

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

Alex White: I remind the House that when the Croke Park agreement was first published, my party leader welcomed and commended those involved in putting it together and said it would be a matter for the members of each of the unions to consider the proposals and vote on them in accordance with their respective democratic procedures. That was exactly how the Minister of State put it in his speech today,...

Seanad: Organisational Review Programme: Statements (13 Oct 2010)

Alex White: We had a good debate earlier on reform in the public service and, as the Minister of State acknowledged, statements were made on the overarching policy and wider political issues that arise in seeking such reform. I will not repeat what I said. However, the debate was interesting and might be continued at that level. I am not sure what this debate is intended to achieve.

Seanad: Organisational Review Programme: Statements (13 Oct 2010)

Alex White: Perhaps, or maybe there should have been a single comprehensive debate. However, the Leader is not present and I do not wish to talk behind his back.

Seanad: Organisational Review Programme: Statements (13 Oct 2010)

Alex White: There is a clear necessity for a rigorous analysis of the public service. I have no difficulty with this and welcome the initiative that led to the production of the ORP reports. While I have not read them in detail, I can see their analysis of the problems and recommendations arising therefrom. I am sure the Minister of State will not take it as a personal criticism because he knows me...

Seanad: Organisational Review Programme: Statements (13 Oct 2010)

Alex White: I do not see what this has to do with Dublin South.

Seanad: Organisational Review Programme: Statements (13 Oct 2010)

Alex White: Maybe so. From a cursory glance of the report, the issues that emerged and were reported on in the press were much more serious for the Department of Health and Children than the Minister of State was prepared to acknowledge. Senator Ormonde got closer to what was stated in the report. The first thing we must do in all debates is be frank and put our finger on the problems. I thought that...

Seanad: Organisational Review Programme: Statements (13 Oct 2010)

Alex White: It has been published. I thank the Minister of State because I was not aware of that. A better focus for today's debate in that case would be to table the action plan of the Department of Health and Children to let us see what the Minister of State and the Department intend to do about all these issues. It is important we have these debates and I welcome the Minister of State to the House....

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Oct 2010)

Alex White: We will give a considered response in the course of the day to the letter the Taoiseach sent at 5 p.m. yesterday. The Labour Party has no difficulty talking to anyone, including the Government, about economic issues. It is odd how this has come about after a period of four or five days. The Taoiseach initially appeared to pour a lot of cold water on what the Minister, Deputy Gormley, said...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (14 Oct 2010)

Alex White: He let the cat out of the bag there.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (14 Oct 2010)

Alex White: Is there any Government legislation?

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (14 Oct 2010)

Alex White: I said "Government legislation". Is there any Government legislation?

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (14 Oct 2010)

Alex White: The answer is "No".

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (14 Oct 2010)

Alex White: Four weeks and no Government legislation. This is disgraceful.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (14 Oct 2010)

Alex White: Stick to the question.

Seanad: Announcement on Banking by the Minister for Finance: Statements (20 Oct 2010)

Alex White: I believe I have 12 minutes.

Seanad: Announcement on Banking by the Minister for Finance: Statements (20 Oct 2010)

Alex White: I may not use the full 12 minutes, but I want to ensure they will be available to me if I need them.

Seanad: Announcement on Banking by the Minister for Finance: Statements (20 Oct 2010)

Alex White: I thank the Acting Chairman. The only way we can assess the success of the various measures the Government has taken in respect of the banking system is to apply the test it established at the outset in this regard. The Minister of State and his colleagues have outlined that test in this and the Lower House on many occasions. The is test is not - despite what Senator Boyle stated - designed...

Seanad: Announcement on Banking by the Minister for Finance: Statements (20 Oct 2010)

Alex White: The Opposition is seeking the kind of scrutiny and examination necessary and, ultimately, wants those responsible for causing the difficulties that have arisen to be prosecuted. I use the term "prosecuted" in the broadest possible sense. I am not merely referring to criminal prosecution. As a society, we are entitled to apportion blame. People should not be apologetic and state we should...