Results 1,681-1,700 of 4,465 for speaker:Jim Walsh

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2009)

Jim Walsh: -----the denigration. I ask that we would have a debate to allow us make longer contributions on this matter.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Oct 2009)

Jim Walsh: To an extent Senator Harris has stolen my thunder because I was about to state this House had been established by the State's founding fathers to include minorities and particularly in order that the voice of the Protestant religion, as well as Unionist voices, would be heard here. Therefore, it is compatible with this intention for Members collectively to support the call made by the...

Seanad: Proposed Postcodes: Statements (21 Oct 2009)

Jim Walsh: I am at variance with some of the comments made earlier on the Order of Business to the effect that this is so unimportant that it should not be debated in the Chamber. There are implications and ramifications. It does not reflect well on the people who have been putting forward various arguments for Seanad reform, however, to see the Opposition seats vacant for a debate on a topic which...

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (22 Oct 2009)

Jim Walsh: Ba mhaith liom aontú leis an comhbhrón do chlainne Tony Kett. I feel proud but sad to be able to pay tribute to Tony. He was, as has been said by many Members, a friend and colleague over a long number of years. I first got to know him in 1997 when we were both elected to the House and I got to work closely with him. I was chairman of the Local Authority Members Association at the time...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Oct 2009)

Jim Walsh: I find myself in agreement with Senator Twomey that we should have a debate-----

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Oct 2009)

Jim Walsh: -----which would be opportune given we are at the sixtieth anniversary of the declaration by the former Taoiseach, Mr. John A. Costello, of a Republic when he was in Canada. There seems to be something about Fine Gael leaders taking everybody by surprise on social occasions. I understand from the history books that it was a major surprise at that time.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Oct 2009)

Jim Walsh: I ask the Leader for a debate on this subject and on the broader issue referred to by the Senator concerning all of those who played their part, in their own way - many made the ultimate sacrifice - during the foundation of the State and in the creation of the democracy, freedom and independence which we enjoy. Senator Donohoe and others referred to waste. I listened with interest to what...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (28 Oct 2009)

Jim Walsh: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire go dtí an Teach chun an Bhille tábhachtach seo a phlé. I commend the Minister, Deputy Gormley, on his propensity for attending the Seanad and listening to debates when legislation from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is being considered here. He has displayed a strong inclination for taking on board the comments and...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Business Plan: Statements (29 Oct 2009)

Jim Walsh: I join in welcoming the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, to the House for this very important debate. The business plan is an aid to the overall analysis and discussion of a complex and unprecedented project. The points made by Senator Donohoe are worthy of some response from the Minister of State. The information on derivatives is reasonably sparse. I can understand that. Senator...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Nov 2009)

Jim Walsh: I have listened to many Members express their concern about Friday's planned day of protest and its implications. Will the Leader arrange for a debate on the fiscal challenges that face us? We should concentrate on the macroeconomic issues of the amounts involved, such as the €20 billion wage bill which has gone from €7 billion in 1998, the €21 billion social welfare bill and the...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Nov 2009)

Jim Walsh: I extend my compliments to him on displaying a unique show of statesmanship by putting the country first. It was phenomenal and should be recognised. Unfortunately, there is not enough of this from all sides, especially on the Opposition side. We need to put the country first and if we do that, self-interest must take a back seat. Unless we work towards that, we will be in dire straits...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2009)

Jim Walsh: On a point of order, is it appropriate for Senators to query and question a decision of the Supreme Court?

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Nov 2009)

Jim Walsh: Sometimes the debate on the Order of Business consists of soundbites on important national issues, such as the fiscal or banking position, and these can be unhelpful. I would like to see a full debate on the OECD report, which was quite interesting in its observations, the EU report and the previous IMF report. We should combine a number of those important reports and have a good, incisive...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Nov 2009)

Jim Walsh: No, the issue is much more than that.

Seanad: Education and Training Responses to the Economic Downturn: Statements (5 Nov 2009)

Jim Walsh: Unlike some other speakers my profession was not in the courtroom, which I sometimes regret because of the lucrative nature of ploughing one's trade in the hallowed halls of those establishments-----

Seanad: Education and Training Responses to the Economic Downturn: Statements (5 Nov 2009)

Jim Walsh: -----and finding oneself in a position where one can charge people whatever one likes which has no bearing on the cost to oneself or to the amount of time one gives.

Seanad: Education and Training Responses to the Economic Downturn: Statements (5 Nov 2009)

Jim Walsh: This is relevant to the Bill because the Bill is designed to improve the efficiencies of the system, which I welcome. The main provisions of the Bill will enhance the system and, it is hoped, will improve value for money in the courts area, if that is at all possible. It is interesting that a motion signed by many on this side of the House, which I am informed will be tabled in the near...

Seanad: Education and Training Responses to the Economic Downturn: Statements (5 Nov 2009)

Jim Walsh: Unlike-----

Seanad: Education and Training Responses to the Economic Downturn: Statements (5 Nov 2009)

Jim Walsh: Unlike Fine Gael, when it was in Government, and unlike the manner in which the legal profession in particular has treated the taxpayer through the tribunals and so on. People have no qualms of conscience whatsoever about sending bills of €2,000 to €3,000 per day for doing small amounts of work-----

Seanad: Education and Training Responses to the Economic Downturn: Statements (5 Nov 2009)

Jim Walsh: I agree with Senator Regan. It is absolute greed.