Results 161-180 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

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

Alex White: I am sorry to rise again——

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

Alex White: What Senator Walsh said is wrong.

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

Alex White: A Leas-Chathaoirligh, if the ruling is to mean anything——

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

Alex White: The Senators on the Government side.

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

Alex White: The concern expressed by some Members for those of us who are new Members of the House is touching and much appreciated. However, I assure my colleagues that we are well able to look after ourselves and to take——

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

Alex White: ——a view on what is being proposed. I agree fully with Senator Norris's earlier proposal that this Bill should have reverted to Second Stage and I voted to that effect on the Order of Business. It is a pity the Government did not take that approach. Instead, there is what one could describe as a Fianna Fáil solution to a Fianna Fáil problem, whereby although one does not allow for a...

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

Alex White: Members are debating section 2.

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

Alex White: I move amendment No. 1: In page 7, subsection (4)(b), line 24, after "person" to insert the following: "or the publication to the second-mentioned person was in the course of the performance of duties of a secretarial nature by the second-mentioned person (being a person whose relationship if any to the first-mentioned person is primarily based on contract) and there were no reasonable...

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

Alex White: With respect, it does not arise in the debate on this section. The Minister can clarify the issue in due course. The issue raised by Senator Walsh may be legitimate in terms of his concerns about cross-examination, although I share the view of Senator Norris on that aspect, but I wonder whether it arises under this section. The section deals with verifying affidavits, which are quite...

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

Alex White: If one does not like either.

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

Alex White: On a point of order, I too have a meeting to attend at 5.30 p.m. and another at 6.30 p.m. but I am waiting to deal with the sections in which I am interested. Every Member should have to do the same or else we change the system.

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

Alex White: Perhaps the Minister would clarify the section, as it seems the most important word is "may" in the phrase "the Supreme Court may, in addition to any other order that it deems appropriate". It is already a long-standing element of our law that the Supreme Court can make a finding or conclude that damages awarded in the High Court are excessive. Cases go back to the High Court for that...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Dec 2007)

Alex White: I raise once again the issue of immigration policy. The Minister of State with responsibility for integration, Deputy Conor Lenihan, indicated yesterday it may be necessary to introduce legislation annually to deal with the issues of immigration and integration. I remain to be convinced it would be necessary to introduce legislation every year in any area of public policy, notwithstanding...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Dec 2007)

Alex White: I am sorry I missed that.

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Committee Stage (Resumed) (5 Dec 2007)

Alex White: The plaintiffs have astute advisers also.

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Committee Stage (Resumed) (5 Dec 2007)

Alex White: Absolutely not in defamation.

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Committee Stage (Resumed) (5 Dec 2007)

Alex White: That is untrue.

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Committee Stage (Resumed) (5 Dec 2007)

Alex White: That is silly.

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Committee Stage (Resumed) (5 Dec 2007)

Alex White: I was going to address the last issue later as it is perhaps a bit more relevant to other sections but as the point has been again made by Senator Norris, I will address it. In the context of dealing with defamation law, the fact that the newspaper industry has pressed for change and some of the changes included in this Bill may be welcomed by the industry does not of itself suggest we should...

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Committee Stage (Resumed) (5 Dec 2007)

Alex White: I would be perfectly happy to have a debate on the newspaper industry but it seems the most serious issue in that area is the proliferation of ownership and control among a small number of people, whether it is the O'Reillys or anybody else. A small number of people nationally, and increasingly internationally, control the newspapers and media. Governments clearly must intervene in that...