Results 3,201-3,220 of 4,465 for speaker:Jim Walsh

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Apr 2008)

Jim Walsh: Are we having the debate now?

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Apr 2008)

Jim Walsh: I ask the Leader if we might have a debate on the legislation underpinning the tribunals. Soundbites such as we hear from Senator Regan is not the way to deal with this. It is a very serious issue that is costing the taxpayers an arm and a leg. I can understand that people in the legal profession would want to see it continue. It has really been a gravy train where excessive and...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Apr 2008)

Jim Walsh: In that regard, the Government is not blameless for having, in the first instance, agreed the extraordinary fees which these people are getting, but we must recognise that the chairmen of some of those tribunals in fact used their position in order to act more or less as shop stewards for the wealthy legal profession in extracting——

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Apr 2008)

Jim Walsh: In regard to the tribunals, there is a Bill pending in the Lower House which is to come before us. I ask the Leader that the Bill be brought to this House as soon as possible.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Apr 2008)

Jim Walsh: The Cathaoirleach will be aware that these are statements I have been making for the past four or five years——

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Apr 2008)

Jim Walsh: The commissions of investigation legislation----

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Apr 2008)

Jim Walsh: ——came before the House two or three years ago. That legislation——

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Apr 2008)

Jim Walsh: I wish to say——

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Apr 2008)

Jim Walsh: Can I say that the commissions of investigation legislation which was passed by these Houses during the time of the last Government——

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Apr 2008)

Jim Walsh: ——clearly set down

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Apr 2008)

Jim Walsh: In that regard, I welcome the Cathaoirleach's comments——

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Apr 2008)

Jim Walsh: ——that we should not discuss people from outside this House. I have written to him about that matter in relation to Senator Regan who has consistently referred to people from outside this House and has been given tremendous latitude in that regard.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Apr 2008)

Jim Walsh: Can I say——

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Apr 2008)

Jim Walsh: With regard to the comments I made about chairmen of the tribunals making representations to the Government with regard to the fees of lawyers, I fully stand over them. It is absolutely true, a Chathaoirligh, and it should not have happened and should never have been acceded to.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Apr 2008)

Jim Walsh: It is true and therefore I am not withdrawing it.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Apr 2008)

Jim Walsh: The record will clearly show that is the position.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Apr 2008)

Jim Walsh: The disruption from the far side is totally out of order. The Cathaoirleach has made no attempt to protect me, which he should have done.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Apr 2008)

Jim Walsh: It is still happening. I state clearly, regarding the point I made, that representations — strong representations — were made with regard to the continuance of the tribunal that unless the fees for the lawyers were agreed and maintained at a certain level, it would not continue. Those were made by former chairmen of the tribunal.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Apr 2008)

Jim Walsh: That is correct. That is a fact that anybody in this House can verify.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Apr 2008)

Jim Walsh: I have said what I have said. I stand over everything I have said as being factual. I would not have said it otherwise.