Results 2,501-2,520 of 4,465 for speaker:Jim Walsh

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jul 2010)

Jim Walsh: I am aware that it is necessary for Government at times to be able to call upon a majority in order to enact legislation but, on occasion, the detail of that should include such flexibility.

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jul 2010)

Jim Walsh: I add my voice to that argument. Whether it is decided to allow Members the freedom to vote according to their conscience on matters of conscience I will be guided by my conscience. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, has come in for criticism in the House and this morning on the amendments to the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill. Waste...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jul 2010)

Jim Walsh: For a long period I have argued with conviction against the introduction of incineration. As far back as 2001 I opposed it in a debate in this House on two grounds primarily. One is the health risks that are involved with the emission of dioxins. I accept people contest that belief but serious questions arise in that regard. A significant issue arises in terms of incineration taking waste...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jul 2010)

Jim Walsh: -----relates to democracy and local government. I will be very quick. My understanding is that the democratically elected members of Dublin City Council were opposed to the introduction of incineration, which raises issues about local government and giving powers to unelected bureaucrats to make those decisions.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jun 2010)

Jim Walsh: I welcome the report issued today stating the Government will intervene in the matter of personal debt. I welcome, in particular, the provision whereby the Government will preclude banks from preventing customers from continuing with tracker mortgages when renegotiating. That is a good intervention. We have had many on the issue in the House. I ask the Leader to arrange for the Minister to...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jun 2010)

Jim Walsh: These are very important issues. The Government is seeking to prevent banks from charging penalty interest to those who, because of the unprecedented economic downturn in the past couple of years, are in arrears and unable to meet their commitments and covenants with the banks. That is very much to be welcomed. Many Members on all sides have spoken about taking a balanced and holistic...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jun 2010)

Jim Walsh: Tesco.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jun 2010)

Jim Walsh: Why ask if he knows the answer?

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jun 2010)

Jim Walsh: I support the call by Senators Alex White and MacSharry for a debate on job creation. We should consider ideas like England's green investment bank. We must concentrate on unemployment. It will take some time for the numbers of unemployed to reduce, which is the inevitable outcome of any recession caused by a financial meltdown. I join Senators who discussed the EUROSTAT figures. It is...

Seanad: Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Carbon Revenue Levy) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2010)

Jim Walsh: I have listened to the points made by Senator O'Reilly. The motivation behind his amendment is just as he articulated. Over recent years and thanks to the Minister and his Department, there has been a significant co-ordinated effort being made to inject real competition into the area of electricity generation. This is not an easy task. Many countries, in particular smaller countries such...

Seanad: Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Carbon Revenue Levy) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2010)

Jim Walsh: I can see the difficulties if the Minister makes an exception for specific companies, even though the Bill makes provision for exceptions in certain areas. I am not sure it envisages this eventuality. I ask the Minister to see if there is some way this can be recognised so those with the historic investment will find themselves in a position to treat it as a windfall and repay it but those...

Seanad: Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Carbon Revenue Levy) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (29 Jun 2010)

Jim Walsh: I have listened with interest to the Minister's reply and I can understand the point he makes. He cannot appear, and should not be, discriminatory in this matter. I have a local concern that Endesa can get up and running. The broader issue is competition in the electricity generating market and in this respect it is highly desirable that Endesa is up and running. I appreciate what the...

Seanad: Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Carbon Revenue Levy) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (29 Jun 2010)

Jim Walsh: I accept the principle that there is no representation without taxation. Therefore, the Lower House should be the one that makes financial decisions. However, given the parlous state of the public finances, perhaps there might be a role for the Seanad, at least an advisory role, with regard to financial matters-----

Seanad: Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Carbon Revenue Levy) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (29 Jun 2010)

Jim Walsh: -----rather than consistently having amendments ruled out of order. On the subject under discussion, I am not sufficiently proficient to give a view, but I made a point on Second Stage regarding a matter of concern to me, in respect of which I applauded the introduction of this legislation. Taking away such windfall profits from the generating companies makes them focus to a much greater...

Seanad: Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Carbon Revenue Levy) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (29 Jun 2010)

Jim Walsh: I thank the Minister. It is always a pleasure when he comes to the House to discuss these issues, many of which are technical. He engages with the House and is very forthcoming with information. I compliment him.

Seanad: Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Carbon Revenue Levy) Bill 2010: Second Stage (24 Jun 2010)

Jim Walsh: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit go dtí an Teach chun an Bille tábhactach seo a phlé. Like Senator Coffey, I welcome the Bill and the general thrust is definitely in the right direction for the reasons outlined by the Minister of State. Carbon credits can be seen as a licence to pollute and they cover a position where people will be able to purchase such credits in future when...

Seanad: Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Carbon Revenue Levy) Bill 2010: Second Stage (24 Jun 2010)

Jim Walsh: I would like the revenues that will accrue from this measure to be ring-fenced and used specifically in the energy sector, particularly in promoting the green energy sector and encouraging greater efficiencies within it. I would not like the money to which I refer to become part of overall Exchequer finances. It should be specifically used for the purpose for which it was envisaged, namely,...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Bill 2010: Second Stage (23 Jun 2010)

Jim Walsh: I thank Senator Wilson for sharing time. I also welcome the Minister and compliment him on the introduction of this Bill. It is symptomatic of the energy and focus he has applied to a wide range of criminal offences in trying to plug various loopholes in legislation that were being exploited by criminal elements. In this instance the sale of substances was having an effect on society. Head...

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (22 Jun 2010)

Jim Walsh: Like other Senators, I join in the tributes to our late friend and colleague, Peter Callanan. We shared certain things in common, not least the fact we were both elected to our respective county councils on the same day. As Senator Glynn said, I remember subsequently looking up some of the votes which people received and saw the huge support Peter received and continued to receive...

Seanad: Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion (17 Jun 2010)

Jim Walsh: I welcome the Minister. This is an annual occasion, when the House gets to renew the amendments made to the Offences against the State Act in 1998. I recall some of the debate in this House at that time and the support on all sides to the provisions introduced in order to boost the apparatus of the State in bringing to justice people who were involved in such offences. It is regrettable...