Results 2,621-2,640 of 4,465 for speaker:Jim Walsh

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (24 Mar 2010)

Jim Walsh: How is that relevant to the Order of Business?

Seanad: Finance Bill 2010 (Certified Money Bill): Second Stage. (24 Mar 2010)

Jim Walsh: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Finneran, to this important debate on the Finance Bill. In the last two Finance Bills we have had to address issues which were unprecedented in my time as a Member of the House. I am sure that is the case for most Members. There has been a global economic downturn which has challenged not only the capacity of our small economy to deal with it but...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2010 (Certified Money Bill): Second Stage. (24 Mar 2010)

Jim Walsh: I wish to say that, without interruption, a person who, I understand, was in or had recently vacated the position of chair of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, stated it was like going to an ATM to get money.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2010 (Certified Money Bill): Second Stage. (24 Mar 2010)

Jim Walsh: He did not tell us that is was like going to an ATM to withdraw cash using the taxpayers' PIN and not their own. Benchmarking should not have happened without benchmarking across other states in the European Union and any productivity which would accrue from it should have been clearly defined in advance. Unfortunately, we are now in a very difficult situation from which we may find it...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2010 (Certified Money Bill): Second Stage. (24 Mar 2010)

Jim Walsh: There is no basis-----

Seanad: Finance Bill 2010 (Certified Money Bill): Second Stage. (24 Mar 2010)

Jim Walsh: I know it is written there. I am not saying it was not.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2010 (Certified Money Bill): Second Stage. (24 Mar 2010)

Jim Walsh: There is no basis-----

Seanad: Finance Bill 2010 (Certified Money Bill): Second Stage. (24 Mar 2010)

Jim Walsh: Nothing happened.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2010 (Certified Money Bill): Second Stage. (24 Mar 2010)

Jim Walsh: That is not true.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2010 (Certified Money Bill): Second Stage. (24 Mar 2010)

Jim Walsh: How were they signed off?

Seanad: Finance Bill 2010 (Certified Money Bill): Second Stage. (24 Mar 2010)

Jim Walsh: I agree with that. I have been saying that for years.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2010 (Certified Money Bill): Second Stage. (24 Mar 2010)

Jim Walsh: I accept that.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2010 (Certified Money Bill): Second Stage. (24 Mar 2010)

Jim Walsh: It could not get it.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2010 (Certified Money Bill): Second Stage. (24 Mar 2010)

Jim Walsh: It was unpaid leave.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2010 (Certified Money Bill): Second Stage. (24 Mar 2010)

Jim Walsh: The HSE is grossly overstaffed.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2010 (Certified Money Bill): Second Stage. (24 Mar 2010)

Jim Walsh: This is after the numbers increased by 150,000.

Seanad: Energy (Biofuel Obligation and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Report Stage. (23 Mar 2010)

Jim Walsh: I join the welcome to the Minister and congratulate him on retaining his portfolio. He has shown a great degree of innovation and application in this job and it was never in doubt that he would be staying in the portfolio. This Bill is important on a number of fronts, not just from an environmental and resource perspective but also from the perspective of job creation. There is much...

Seanad: Energy (Biofuel Obligation and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Report Stage. (23 Mar 2010)

Jim Walsh: I thank the Minister for the amenable manner in which he dealt with strong and cogent arguments from all sides of the House. It is a hallmark of the way the Minister works and enhances both the debate and the legislation. He takes on board arguments from all sides that improve the legislation. The motivation for this legislation is to ensure we develop indigenous industry. This offers the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Mar 2010)

Jim Walsh: I, too, compliment Senator O'Toole on his measured contribution. We could all take a lead from the sentiments expressed. I agree fully with what Senator Bradford said; we need accountability within the structure of the Health Service Executive. The system of corporate governance is wrong. I said that at the time and I wrote to the Minister, asking that a system of democratic...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Mar 2010)

Jim Walsh: -----have been getting a cheque for €14,000 each week at a time when we are asking pensioners to take a reduction in income.