Results 2,901-2,920 of 4,465 for speaker:Jim Walsh

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

Jim Walsh: We need to take a coherent approach to imposing regulations on directors. I fully support every measure that improves corporate governance but we should stand back from anything that makes people disinclined to get involved, or is a disincentive to becoming involved. People should be made accountable for gross negligence or wilful default. These are public service measures being imposed on...

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Report Stage (13 May 2009)

Jim Walsh: I totally oppose the amendment. In my opinion and that of many specialists in the field, the best interest of the child is served by having the influence of a mother and father in its upbringing. Any deviation from that would take away from the focus of the child. Both the proposer and the seconder of the amendment spoke strongly about civil partnership, which is a concept I do not oppose,...

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

Jim Walsh: It is under the remit of local authorities.

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

Jim Walsh: It is a matter for local authorities.

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

Jim Walsh: I welcome the Monageer report. Some of the comments made by previous speakers were inaccurate. In our locality, people who know the undertaker regard her as a person of the highest calibre who runs a tremendously professional service. By contacting the Garda, she did the responsible and correct thing and I would not like anybody to imply criticism of failure to go elsewhere. With regard to...

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

Jim Walsh: That is not a point of order.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 May 2009)

Jim Walsh: I concur fully with the comments of Senator O'Toole regarding welcoming people into the political profession. Undoubtedly, while there is tremendous cynicism about politics across the country, most people who interact with politicians will acknowledge privately that most politicians are hardworking, genuine and earnest about what they do. We need people from all strata of society, walks of...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 May 2009)

Jim Walsh: -----fallen in value by 3% in the last ten years, whereas we had a major increase in property values, as had Britain and other Western democracies. The German economy will shrink by 5% despite that. Will the Leader allow for a debate on the entire spectrum of the global economic downturn?

Seanad: Order of Business (7 May 2009)

Jim Walsh: We must have an objective debate. We all must endeavour to support the initiatives being taken, which are the only initiatives that can arrest the downturn and position us to avail of the upturn when it comes. I call for such a debate as soon as possible.

Seanad: Energy Resources: Motion (6 May 2009)

Jim Walsh: Ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh an Aire Stáit. In éineacht le Seanadóirí eile, ba mhaith liom an Seanadóir Quinn a mholadh as ucht an rún seo a chur ar an chlár. Mar a dúirt an Seanadóir Mullen, tá ábhar fíor-tábhachtach agus oiriúnach os ár gcomhair. Tá dualgas orainn an ábhar fíor-thábhachtach seo a phlé go minic. I listened carefully to Senator Quinn's...

Seanad: Energy Resources: Motion (6 May 2009)

Jim Walsh: Long Island.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 May 2009)

Jim Walsh: I support the call by Senator Fitzgerald for some progress to be made on the dispute that has arisen between the Ombudsman for Children and the HSE. I am not going to take sides in this because I do not know the facts. I hope there is not an element of grandstanding going on. Equally, however, I was not impressed by the suggestion, which was stated by the Ombudsman for Children, that the...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 May 2009)

Jim Walsh: I did not interrupt.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 May 2009)

Jim Walsh: Anyone who has listened to the Minister on the various occasions he has attended this House to debate the Adoption Bill will be well aware of his absolute commitment and grasp of the issues involved. Those issues need to be resolved. I support the comments by Senator Leyden on the €6 billion being made available by Irish pension funds for investment in infrastructure. Hopefully, that will...

Seanad: Gangland Crime: Statements (30 Apr 2009)

Jim Walsh: Ba mhaith liom fáilte a chuir roimh an Aire Stáit. Gabhaim chomhghairdeas leis as ucht bheith athcheaptha ag an Rialtas. Tá an onóir sin tuillte aige. Tá súil agam go n-éireoidh go maith leis sna blianta atá amach romhainn. I welcome the Minister of State and congratulate him on his re-appointment. He brings to his office a practical mind honed on good local government...

Seanad: Gangland Crime: Statements (30 Apr 2009)

Jim Walsh: This issue poses a serious challenge. If someone comes from the Blueshirt wing of a party, he or she obviously would feel proprietorial about security issues.

Seanad: Gangland Crime: Statements (30 Apr 2009)

Jim Walsh: The Minister of State has clearly pointed out the growth in the number of organised and ruthless crimes and the need to step up our security in response. We have recent and unfortunate experience of the threat posed by gangs to society and to the integrity and effectiveness of the criminal judicial system. Unlike Senator Regan, I believe that much has been done in recent years. The number...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2009: Second Stage (29 Apr 2009)

Jim Walsh: I thank Senator Brady for sharing time. I welcome the Minister and compliment her on the initiatives she has taken in the Department. What she has outlined shows she has a formula for dealing with the unprecedented fiscal situation, which is not easy. The background is that the social welfare increases have exceeded the rate of inflation. The Minister and her predecessors were emphatic in...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2009: Second Stage (29 Apr 2009)

Jim Walsh: I wish to sound a note of caution regarding the Minister's assertion that the post-retirement element of people's pension entitlements will attract a lower priority under this scheme. That is fine and no one would argue with what is proposed, especially in circumstances where there is deflation or extremely low inflation. However, some economists are predicting that following this serious...

Seanad: Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Programme: Statements (23 Apr 2009)

Jim Walsh: I thank Senator Feeney for sharing her time with me and join her in congratulating the Minister of State on her promotion, which is a distinct honour. I have known the Minister of State for many years and am sure she will excel in her new position because she has the commitment necessary to meet her new responsibilities. She will have the goodwill of everyone in this House in that regard. I...