Results 2,681-2,700 of 4,810 for speaker:Liam Twomey

Seanad: Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse: Statements (27 May 2009)

Liam Twomey: I am sorry, Senator, but we have just made a remark on the tone of this whole debate. The Senator and the Government are acting as if we should go down on our knees to apologise to them. It is out of order.

Seanad: Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse: Statements (27 May 2009)

Liam Twomey: This is too serious so stop that nonsense.

Seanad: Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse: Statements (27 May 2009)

Liam Twomey: The Senator should move on.

Seanad: Reappointment of Ombudsman and Information Commissioner: Motions (26 May 2009)

Liam Twomey: I would also like to be associated with the reappointment of Emily O'Reilly to the role of Ombudsman. She has done an excellent job in the past six years, and I wish her another six years of equally being a good servant of the State, but I ask the Minister of State to ensure that there is adequate funding for her new role in the future. She will take on a much greater burden in the next six...

Seanad: Reappointment of Ombudsman and Information Commissioner: Motions (26 May 2009)

Liam Twomey: The Minister need not fear transparency or openness. He could be there for 200 years.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency: Statements (26 May 2009)

Liam Twomey: I thank the Minister of State for his contribution. While I was unable to attend today's meeting of the Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service, I understand the joint committee had a long debate on the National Asset Management Agency and that many issues of concern were discussed. Given the complexity of this issue, further questions will need to be asked in the months and years...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency: Statements (26 May 2009)

Liam Twomey: The man who the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, advised. It will be the same in this case. It will be in the small matters, when we are trying to get through the nitty-gritty of NAMA, that we will see the problems arise and I ask the Minister of State to discuss those as much as possible so that we can get a good sense of what is happening. When the Minister speaks about this over the...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 May 2009)

Liam Twomey: I second Senator Norris's amendment to the effect that the debate, which is important, should be held today. Will the Leader arrange for the Minister for Education and Science to answer a few questions on these institutions at the start of tomorrow's debate? Is it the case they do not have enough funding to give to the State? Are they concerned the services provided by them will be...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 May 2009)

Liam Twomey: There have been some excellent contributions and I echo the calls for a broader debate on the issue because of what may result. Everyone in the Chamber represents different generations and we all understand the apathy and complacency attributed to the abuse that took place when we were growing up. In many cases we did not quite comprehend the significance of it and what effect it would have...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 May 2009)

Liam Twomey: It is still there. If a person presented at a Garda station this morning to make a complaint about abuse or something else that was wrong, the garda on duty would probably suggest that the person go away and come back in a week because that garda did not have the expertise and the person who did was unavailable but that an appointment could be made. Anyone with the slightest cop on who...

Seanad: Companies (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (20 May 2009)

Liam Twomey: The Minister says she has a problem with fines up to €10,000 if the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement deems an offence serious enough but we fine fishermen far in excess of that for landing a few small fish.

Seanad: Companies (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (20 May 2009)

Liam Twomey: Some of the Minister's comments reinforce the need for this measure. She said it is easy to set up a company in Ireland. That is beneficial for people who are engaged in business. The majority of the companies that have been set up operate legitimately and simply want to get on with doing their work within the business community. However, where there are a few rogue companies, it is...

Seanad: Companies (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (20 May 2009)

Liam Twomey: I am confused. The Minister has given two fines for the same crime.

Seanad: Companies (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (20 May 2009)

Liam Twomey: I am trying to work out whether we have two fines for the same crime or two different crimes.

Seanad: Corporate Governance: Motion (13 May 2009)

Liam Twomey: I was somewhat surprised at the Government's amendment to the Labour Party motion. The amendment focuses very much on the economy. I took the spirit of the Labour motion to be about how we behave ourselves in public office or in public service and how the people view public service and public office. The Government amendment went way off the point on a tangent, which might have been...

Seanad: Corporate Governance: Motion (13 May 2009)

Liam Twomey: I am sick of engaging in debate about it when Government Members will not tell the truth.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2009)

Liam Twomey: What Senator Mary White stated is a threat. Members cannot issue threats in the Chamber.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2009)

Liam Twomey: As a society, we are just coming to terms with the scandal of institutional abuse. I find it insulting that Government Members should stand up for the children who have been neglected given that the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, who is responsible for children in danger, refuses to pay the €15 million required for 24 hour social worker coverage.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2009)

Liam Twomey: The Minister of State is measuring children's lives as a value-for-money issue.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2009)

Liam Twomey: That is what is happening.