Results 2,541-2,560 of 4,132 for speaker:Donie Cassidy

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

Donie Cassidy: ——and maybe into Saturday morning. For Senators to state that we are not placing the economy centre stage and that Members of this House are not being given an opportunity to express their views on the up-to-date challenge, which is unprecedented and global, is unfair and untrue. Regarding the social partners, Senator Ross, who is a very eminent Member of the House, gives the side we...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

Donie Cassidy: On that point, and it is a good point, Ryanair has done more for tourism in Ireland than anyone else in the world could have done.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

Donie Cassidy: It is a leader not only in our country but also in Europe, and is one of the best airlines in the world. We are fortunate to have it here. I remember, in the 1970s, paying more than €200 for a return ticket to London. Were it not for Ryanair we would still be paying expensive air fares. Aer Lingus is also a wonderful airline.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

Donie Cassidy: The chief executive of Aer Lingus must be admired for the wonderful job he has done since he took over.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

Donie Cassidy: We are fortunate to have two good airlines.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

Donie Cassidy: To return to the issue of the social partners, inaccuracies must be corrected, and I consider it my duty to give balance to the debate that takes place on the Order of Business. This side of the House plays a very responsible role by listening to the Opposition.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

Donie Cassidy: It is on my shoulders to provide balance and give credit where credit is due. Going back to 1987, we would not have had the Celtic tiger parts 1 and 2 were it not for the national understanding by the then Taoiseach, Charles Haughey, and Mr. Mullen of the trade union movement. That was before many of today's Members joined the House. From 1981 to 1987, it was a difficult time to be a...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

Donie Cassidy: We experienced it all before. However, the difference this time is twofold. Interest rates are at such a low level that the minute the economy starts to take a turn, it will be encouraging and inviting from the investor's point of view. In 1987, there were 1.1 million people working and paying taxes. Now 2 million people are working.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

Donie Cassidy: We have a fantastic, well educated, enthusiastic and energetic generation of young people who are prepared to make their contribution. We must stay positive. We are approaching the bottom of the downward cycle — there may be another three months of downturn.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

Donie Cassidy: There is a new Presidency in America, and if America is not having it good, the rest of the world does not have it good. There is no point in looking into the glass and saying it is half empty. It is also half full.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

Donie Cassidy: Let us take heart coming up to Christmas. Let us celebrate our achievements.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

Donie Cassidy: Let us celebrate our achievements: what we have done and how we protected the less well-off in 2001 and 2002. I know that is the priority of the Taoiseach at present. Next Friday, I look forward to hearing the contributions on the Finance Bill of all Senators who make very valid points on the Order of Business every morning regarding the economy. I will liaise with the leaders——

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

Donie Cassidy: I will liaise with the leaders after the Order of Business this morning in an effort to facilitate the provision of a little extra time for Senators to make their contributions on the economy as well as matters pertaining to Second Stage of the Finance Bill——

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

Donie Cassidy: ——if that is agreeable to the House. Senators Leyden, Donohoe, Callely, Kelly and Ross highlighted their concerns about the development plan and what may be in it, and mentioned reshaping of the challenge the Government is faced with. I agree with Senator Kelly that the IT sector has an important role to play. However, I disagree with the sentiments expressed about broadband. There has...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

Donie Cassidy: The number of broadband subscribers now stands at 1.12 million, or 1,125,080.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

Donie Cassidy: These are figures that have been given to me by ComReg, which show that broadband provision in Ireland continues to grow. At the end of September, as I said, 1.125 million subscribers had been provided with broadband.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

Donie Cassidy: Considering that in 2003 we only had 6,000 broadband subscribers, that represents remarkable progress over this timeframe.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

Donie Cassidy: A total of 59% of households now have broadband and that figure should be seen in the context of the 70% of Irish households that have personal computers. We are moving very rapidly——

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

Donie Cassidy: ——perhaps not as far as we would like, but certainly in a positive direction. Senator Leyden mentioned a debate on housing and referred to the sale of the century which took place in the 1980s. Those of us who were Members of the House remember it well.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

Donie Cassidy: It generated a lot of capital and it also gave responsibility for maintenance to house owners and removed it from local authorities. There were other cost saving exercises that resulted in a win-win situation. I will allow time for discussion of the Senator's proposals early in the new year. Senator Callely welcomed the opening of the large new O2 arena last night. A total of 27 major...