Results 2,761-2,780 of 4,465 for speaker:Jim Walsh

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Nov 2009)

Jim Walsh: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit go dtí an Teach don díospóireacht tábhachtach seo. I believe it was John F. Kennedy who said that success has 1,000 fathers and failure is an orphan. I am amazed at the number of economists who are now rushing to claim credit for predicting the economic collapse we have seen in the past 14 months or so. Apart from people saying the property market...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Nov 2009)

Jim Walsh: People have criticised shareholders. Nobody has suffered more than shareholders in the banks. Indeed, we have seen that people put in their retirement nest egg and lost everything. It is unforgivable in many ways. Shareholders have suffered extremely badly. Ordinary customers have also been badly burned in two ways, the first of which is that they cannot access credit. The second is that...

Seanad: Education and Training Responses to the Economic Downturn: Statements (5 Nov 2009)

Jim Walsh: On Tuesday next. Committee Stage ordered for Tuesday, 10 November 2009.

Seanad: Education and Training Responses to the Economic Downturn: Statements (5 Nov 2009)

Jim Walsh: At 10.30 a.m. on Monday, 9 November.

Seanad: Education and Training Responses to the Economic Downturn: Statements (5 Nov 2009)

Jim Walsh: Unlike some other speakers my profession was not in the courtroom, which I sometimes regret because of the lucrative nature of ploughing one's trade in the hallowed halls of those establishments-----

Seanad: Education and Training Responses to the Economic Downturn: Statements (5 Nov 2009)

Jim Walsh: -----and finding oneself in a position where one can charge people whatever one likes which has no bearing on the cost to oneself or to the amount of time one gives.

Seanad: Education and Training Responses to the Economic Downturn: Statements (5 Nov 2009)

Jim Walsh: This is relevant to the Bill because the Bill is designed to improve the efficiencies of the system, which I welcome. The main provisions of the Bill will enhance the system and, it is hoped, will improve value for money in the courts area, if that is at all possible. It is interesting that a motion signed by many on this side of the House, which I am informed will be tabled in the near...

Seanad: Education and Training Responses to the Economic Downturn: Statements (5 Nov 2009)

Jim Walsh: Unlike-----

Seanad: Education and Training Responses to the Economic Downturn: Statements (5 Nov 2009)

Jim Walsh: Unlike Fine Gael, when it was in Government, and unlike the manner in which the legal profession in particular has treated the taxpayer through the tribunals and so on. People have no qualms of conscience whatsoever about sending bills of €2,000 to €3,000 per day for doing small amounts of work-----

Seanad: Education and Training Responses to the Economic Downturn: Statements (5 Nov 2009)

Jim Walsh: I agree with Senator Regan. It is absolute greed.

Seanad: Education and Training Responses to the Economic Downturn: Statements (5 Nov 2009)

Jim Walsh: The greatest manifestation of greed we have seen in our society is from the legal profession, as the good Senator opposite will be fully aware.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Nov 2009)

Jim Walsh: Sometimes the debate on the Order of Business consists of soundbites on important national issues, such as the fiscal or banking position, and these can be unhelpful. I would like to see a full debate on the OECD report, which was quite interesting in its observations, the EU report and the previous IMF report. We should combine a number of those important reports and have a good, incisive...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Nov 2009)

Jim Walsh: No, the issue is much more than that.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2009)

Jim Walsh: On a point of order, is it appropriate for Senators to query and question a decision of the Supreme Court?

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Nov 2009)

Jim Walsh: I have listened to many Members express their concern about Friday's planned day of protest and its implications. Will the Leader arrange for a debate on the fiscal challenges that face us? We should concentrate on the macroeconomic issues of the amounts involved, such as the €20 billion wage bill which has gone from €7 billion in 1998, the €21 billion social welfare bill and the...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Nov 2009)

Jim Walsh: I extend my compliments to him on displaying a unique show of statesmanship by putting the country first. It was phenomenal and should be recognised. Unfortunately, there is not enough of this from all sides, especially on the Opposition side. We need to put the country first and if we do that, self-interest must take a back seat. Unless we work towards that, we will be in dire straits...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Business Plan: Statements (29 Oct 2009)

Jim Walsh: I join in welcoming the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, to the House for this very important debate. The business plan is an aid to the overall analysis and discussion of a complex and unprecedented project. The points made by Senator Donohoe are worthy of some response from the Minister of State. The information on derivatives is reasonably sparse. I can understand that. Senator...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Oct 2009)

Jim Walsh: I find myself in agreement with Senator Twomey that we should have a debate-----

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Oct 2009)

Jim Walsh: -----which would be opportune given we are at the sixtieth anniversary of the declaration by the former Taoiseach, Mr. John A. Costello, of a Republic when he was in Canada. There seems to be something about Fine Gael leaders taking everybody by surprise on social occasions. I understand from the history books that it was a major surprise at that time.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Oct 2009)

Jim Walsh: I ask the Leader for a debate on this subject and on the broader issue referred to by the Senator concerning all of those who played their part, in their own way - many made the ultimate sacrifice - during the foundation of the State and in the creation of the democracy, freedom and independence which we enjoy. Senator Donohoe and others referred to waste. I listened with interest to what...