Results 2,981-3,000 of 4,465 for speaker:Jim Walsh
- Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Second Stage (17 Feb 2009)
Jim Walsh: When is it proposed to take Committee Stage?
- Seanad: Message from Dáil (17 Feb 2009)
Jim Walsh: The House has received the following message from the Dáil. Dáil Ãireann has agreed, on 11 February 2009, to amendments Nos. 1 to 70, inclusive, and amendments Nos. 72 to 83, inclusive, made by Seanad Ãireann to the Charities Bill 2007. Dáil Ãireann has agreed to amendment No. 71 with the following amendment: In paragraph (d), all words after "a collection box shall" deleted and the...
- Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Motion (17 Feb 2009)
Jim Walsh: On 11 December 2008, the Seanad returned the Charities Bill 2007 to the Dáil with 83 amendments, to which the agreement of the Dáil was sought. The Dáil considered those amendments on 11 February, accepted all but one of them without change, but made a change to amendment No. 71. The Seanad has now to decide whether it agrees with that additional amendment made by the Dáil. I will call...
- Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Motion (17 Feb 2009)
Jim Walsh: Senator Buttimer must stay with the amendment.
- Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Second Stage (17 Feb 2009)
Jim Walsh: I dtosach cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit go dtà an Teach inniu chun an Bille Uchtála a phlé. Is Bille an-tábhachtach é seo. Adoption was a strong feature of life three or four decades ago in this country when single girls who were pregnant allowed their children go for adoption and when children were orphaned. Many who have grown up as children of adoptive parents testify to their...
- Seanad: Order of Business (17 Feb 2009)
Jim Walsh: There is a temptation for politicians and everyone to concentrate on self-interest and pander to anger or the populist approach to advance sectional or self-interest, but that does nothing to address the seriousness of the problem we face. Only yesterday, the economic adviser to the President of the United States of America stated that the recession in the USA is deepening and that he does...
- Seanad: Order of Business (17 Feb 2009)
Jim Walsh: Can we have a ruling on that, a Chathaoirligh?
- Seanad: Gas (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Feb 2009)
Jim Walsh: I compliment the Minister of State. Many Ministers come into the House, but he has shown himself to be very au fait with the issues that come before us. Senator O'Reilly is involved with the Joint Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and knows it covers a wide, broad and complex range of activities. It can be quite challenging to keep oneself briefed and up to speed on...
- Seanad: Gas (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Feb 2009)
Jim Walsh: The section primarily provides for an increase in the borrowing allowance of Bord Gáis from the current amount of â¬1.7 billion to â¬3 billion. We understood from Second Stage that the â¬1.7 billion would be reached in 2009. We note that while that borrowing may take place in euro, foreign currency is also included. Given the volatility we have seen in the currency markets in recent...
- Seanad: Gas (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Feb 2009)
Jim Walsh: The borrowing is for all of this purpose and this is the reason I am trying to deal with it in the absence of any amendments so we can get as much information as possible from the Minister of State who was very forthcoming on Second Stage. I welcome the provision in the Bill that the investment made by Bord Gáis will be subject to prior approval of the Minister and the Department. This is...
- Seanad: Gas (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Feb 2009)
Jim Walsh: I welcome the response of the Minister of State who consistently demonstrates a firm grasp of the issues in this complex field. Both Senator O'Reilly and I emphasised the importance of competitiveness. The Minister of State echoed the Minister's comments in the other House about the likelihood of a double-digit reduction in energy prices. Such a move would be welcome to consumers and...
- Seanad: Order of Business (10 Feb 2009)
Jim Walsh: To follow on from the point made by Senator Regan, it is good to see the engagement between the Opposition and the Government because those of us who occasionally have the opportunity to observe what is happening in other jurisdictions will have noticed that the British Minister, Mr. Hill, made a comment at a party meeting that the world was facing the worst economic situation in 100 years....
- Seanad: Order of Business (10 Feb 2009)
Jim Walsh: ââand everybody should recognise that. I appeal to the social partners to come and play their part as they have done in the past.
- Seanad: Order of Business (10 Feb 2009)
Jim Walsh: They have also been instrumental through benchmarking and otherwise in adding to the depth of the problems we face. We need solidarity from both the private and public sectors and turning on each other will be counter-productive. I hope we can move in that direction. The change in the mood in the House today has been a step in the right direction which I hope will last.
- Seanad: Order of Business (10 Feb 2009)
Jim Walsh: It was â¬16.5 billion.
- Seanad: Order of Business (10 Feb 2009)
Jim Walsh: On a point of information, it is â¬16.5 billion.
- Seanad: Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Statements (5 Feb 2009)
Jim Walsh: I wish to share time with Senator Mark Daly. It is always very good to follow Senator Quinn, because he is always constructive. The business expertise and knowledge which he brings to the debate and the manner in which he puts forward very thoughtful points is beneficial for the debate. I compliment him in this regard. I listened to Senator John Paul Phelan also. I have been critical of...
- Seanad: Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Statements (5 Feb 2009)
Jim Walsh: We should acknowledge that and encourage such contributions. I do not believe this side of the House should always take the same view. If we have a different opinion from the Government we should say so. Perhaps we should encourage the Government to take on board some of our opinions in that regard. We are in a very difficult situation. We are part of the global difficulties. I attended...
- Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2009)
Jim Walsh: Like most Members of the House and people in the public service, I do not welcome a reduction in pay. However, most people, including many of the people interviewed in the media, recognise the seriousness of the situation and the fact that something must be done. This action might well preserve the very generous pensions we enjoy in the public service. Somebody who is earning â¬50,000 in...
- Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2009)
Jim Walsh: The Senator is not bad at it.