Results 1,941-1,960 of 4,810 for speaker:Liam Twomey

Seanad: Economic Situation: Statements (27 Jan 2009)

Liam Twomey: Over the weekend I read The Builders, a book about Fianna Fáil's movers and shakers. Written by Frank McDonald and Kathy Sheridan, it describes how a small group of property developers fuelled the building boom and transformed Ireland. Senator Ross and I are like-minded in our reading material.

Seanad: Economic Situation: Statements (27 Jan 2009)

Liam Twomey: Some of the book's findings are interesting. For example, of the €413 million that was spent on the Ringsend glass factory, almost €300 million came from Anglo Irish Bank. Last week, Davy Stockbrokers wrote down the value of that site by 60%. If similar valuations are applied across the commercial and residential property sector, we can expect significant write-offs. I was also...

Seanad: Economic Situation: Statements (27 Jan 2009)

Liam Twomey: Members are a bit deaf on that side.

Seanad: Economic Situation: Statements (27 Jan 2009)

Liam Twomey: Another talking shop.

Seanad: Economic Situation: Statements (27 Jan 2009)

Liam Twomey: The Senator might fill us in. He has been very quiet about it.

Seanad: Economic Situation: Statements (27 Jan 2009)

Liam Twomey: We would be happy to have the difference.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Feb 2009)

Liam Twomey: With regard to what is happening in the Supreme Court concerning the status of the unborn, we have discussed this matter ad nauseam in both Houses, and on Committee Stages in this House. The fact that we have not legislated for IVF treatment in this country has been highlighted. The Leader should take the matter back to the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. Since 2005, she...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Feb 2009)

Liam Twomey: I thought the Leader was talking about the Holy Father.

Seanad: Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Statements (5 Feb 2009)

Liam Twomey: The Minister has often spoken at length in this House and he always has been good at revision of history. The Opposition never had the same views as the Government over the past five to ten years. We had different views on benchmarking, which some people considered an automated teller machine or ATM for the public service when it was introduced. We made a strong case at that time to the...

Seanad: Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Statements (5 Feb 2009)

Liam Twomey: The Minister of State did not. He is doing it now because it suits him to do so.

Seanad: Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Statements (5 Feb 2009)

Liam Twomey: More important now is for the Government representatives to begin speaking their minds in the same way we do, and this includes the Senators opposite. They must give up this idea of being Mighty Mouse in their constituencies and Mickey Mouse in Dublin. This has had a detrimental effect on our politics and democracy and is why we are in this type of scenario. We are playing politics with...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Feb 2009)

Liam Twomey: Is that the best the Senator can do?

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (25 Feb 2009)

Liam Twomey: There has been much discussion today on competitiveness and the remarks made on the radio by the Tánaiste this morning. However, the Leader should ask the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, to explain the reason she has announced a salary of €240,000 for hospital consultants on this side of the Border when consultants are paid £100,000 north of the Border for doing more or...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (25 Feb 2009)

Liam Twomey: Perhaps she can explain the competitiveness of that issue. Moreover, the Minister, Deputy Harney, should appear before the House to explain why, although she spoke last year of 1,000 redundancies in the Health Service Executive's administration, all that have been seen since the beginning of the year are plans to close 11 hospitals, reduce home help services to elderly people and remove...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (25 Feb 2009)

Liam Twomey: Although it received such support for the bank guarantee, it was never appreciated.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (25 Feb 2009)

Liam Twomey: Members on this side of the House do not intend to suffer from Stockholm syndrome. If the Government seeks the help of Opposition Members, they will be reasonable about its proposals. At present however, only smart-alec talk can be heard from the Government side. Its Members have no interest in working for the national interest and are present only for their own interest. If the...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (25 Feb 2009)

Liam Twomey: Why does he not meet the party leaders and ask them whether some of their Members wish to join the Cabinet and work on behalf of the Government?

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (25 Feb 2009)

Liam Twomey: It is not a crime yet.

Seanad: Banking Sector: Motion (25 Feb 2009)

Liam Twomey: I move: That Seanad Éireann recognising that: reckless and incompetent management, regulation and oversight of the domestic Irish banking system has damaged domestic and international confidence in Ireland's economy; the Irish economy cannot recover from the deepening economic depression without a functioning banking system that enjoys the trust of depositors, international markets and the...

Seanad: Banking Sector: Motion (25 Feb 2009)

Liam Twomey: Was the Acting Chairman referring to the Senator's speaking time?