Results 20,861-20,880 of 21,047 for speaker:Alan Kelly

Seanad: Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: Second Stage (1 Oct 2008)

Alan Kelly: I welcome the Minister at this fine hour. The Bill is unprecedented. The reality is that the Minister for Finance is being forced to bring it before us or else the banking sector in Ireland will be facing what many have admitted is a catastrophe. The Irish banks have a build-up of liabilities on their books due to the backing for and dependence on the construction industry. Consequently,...

Seanad: Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: Second Stage (1 Oct 2008)

Alan Kelly: I stated these bankers should be brought back before the Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service or other similar committee to explain their comments and the scenarios in which we now find ourselves. If they are incompetent, why are they in their jobs? If they lied, that is another matter. The bank representatives should sit down and be interrogated again. They should be told...

Seanad: Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: Second Stage (1 Oct 2008)

Alan Kelly: There are a number of actions the Government must take and these should be addressed in the Bill. For example, serious consideration must be given to having State representatives on the boards of the relevant banks in order to ensure that proper practices are put in place to protect taxpayers. That condition should be absolute. Members of the public want to see such a measure put in place...

Seanad: Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: Second Stage (1 Oct 2008)

Alan Kelly: ——to make acquisitions during the two-year period for which the guarantee will be in place?

Seanad: Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: Second Stage (1 Oct 2008)

Alan Kelly: I will do so. Will acquisitions made by the six banks currently covered by the Bill be covered under the Bill? Will the Minister explain why the guarantee is to be of two years' duration?

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Oct 2008)

Alan Kelly: It is not my normal habit to tell the House about my bedtime reading. Last night I printed out the debate that took place at the Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service when the banks attended and thought I was reading something from a different age.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Oct 2008)

Alan Kelly: We need to state the facts bluntly. When the people from the banks were before the committee, they were either not telling the truth or were so incompetent they did not see what was coming down the tracks. Whichever it was, it fills me with fear. I ask the Leader to urge the Government to ensure the same individuals are brought before an emergency sitting of the committee, or some other...

Seanad: Economic Situation: Statements (30 Sep 2008)

Alan Kelly: That is the quickest turnaround.

Seanad: Economic Situation: Statements (30 Sep 2008)

Alan Kelly: I was going to do the Minister of State a disservice by saying that was probably the worst speech I have heard from him in his time in either House but I believe that my colleague, the leader of the Green Party in this House, has just surpassed him. Senator Boyle, in fairness, is somebody who usually has a good commentary on finance even if I do not agree with him. Seamus Heaney's phrase...

Seanad: Economic Situation: Statements (30 Sep 2008)

Alan Kelly: It is preposterous that we do not know this before we vote. Are we postponing the inevitable? We are guaranteeing deposits and I know that interbank lending is the other side of this issue. What will happen if a bank goes under? What will happen across Europe and the world when different governments implement their own methods of bailing out institutions? What will happen, were the pitch...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Jul 2008)

Alan Kelly: I endorse Senator Coffey's call for a debate on environmental issues. He referred to Silvermines. Unfortunately, Government commitments to date in this area have not been up to the level required. Three schools lie within a short distance of the Silvermines dumps. There are six times more carcinogenics in the air in this locality than anywhere else. Unless dust blows containing toxic...

Seanad: OECD Report on Integrated Public Service Reform: Statements (2 Jul 2008)

Alan Kelly: I welcome my fellow county man, the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, and I welcome the chance to comment on the report on public service reform. We could talk for ever on this issue which has been raised many times in the House. For the record, the public service has contributed significantly to the development of our country and its economy. I am not one of those who, now the economy...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Jul 2008)

Alan Kelly: Well said.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Jul 2008)

Alan Kelly: What about broadband?

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Jul 2008)

Alan Kelly: Being consistent with what I said last week, I, too, would welcome a debate on the economy. It is necessary that it take place prior to the recess. The figures released since we last met are startling. We knew that housing output would be one third of what it was last year. People have mortgages, yet rates have increased to6%. People with young families are finding it tight in terms of...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jun 2008)

Alan Kelly: I agree wholeheartedly with Senator O'Toole's comments on the Bank of Ireland, whose behaviour is not justified. It is a sign of the times when the bank takes such actions. We need clear information on the country's finances, as other speakers have said. I made my comments yesterday on what action was needed. I wish to return to one issue, the upskilling and reskilling of manufacturing,...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jun 2008)

Alan Kelly: I refer to the legislation on health and safety which is necessary but which puts up barriers of entry to people working in farmers' markets and also the issue of food labelling. Why does a man or woman making 12 tarts need to obtain scientific analysis of the ingredients of a tart such as jam?

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jun 2008)

Alan Kelly: This is ridiculous. They have to print the information in font size 12 on the jars, which is also ridiculous. As a country we need to say we have had enough. Rural Ireland is being affected both socially and economically. We need to dismiss such legislation.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2008)

Alan Kelly: He is laughing.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2008)

Alan Kelly: I would like to support the call made by my colleague, Senator Alex White, for a debate on the economy. Unlike the previous speaker, I believe this is a domestic problem, in the main, that has been created by this Government. While it is easy to suggest that people are talking up or down the economy, it is time to deal with the reality. It is easy for those on the other side of the House...