Results 32,561-32,580 of 33,392 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2010)

Paschal Donohoe: I second Senator Bradford's amendment to the Order of Business. Earlier in the week the Ombudsman said she did not have faith in the Government's ability to look after our elderly. The European Court of Auditors report showed the Government managed to sleepwalk its way into the closure of an industry. In every responsibility the Government has been meant to discharge, it has been unable to...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2010)

Paschal Donohoe: The future of our economy is under much pressure. Our State, its institutions and its citizens who want to support them will still exist, regardless of what happens to the economy. How they will be conducted and their responsibilities may change but the passport we are all proud to carry will still be there, will still have value and honour attached to it, like the State's institutions. It...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2010)

Paschal Donohoe: Regarding comments made by colleagues on the other side of the House about the international media, it is not the fault of the international media that we are in this disaster. Neither is it the fault of international speculators.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2010)

Paschal Donohoe: Decisions were made at home that handed power to the financial markets which they are now using to beat us. If the decisions had not been made between 2002 and 2007 to spend and borrow at unbelievable rates, these people would not have the power that they are now wielding. It is the Government's fault.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Nov 2010)

Paschal Donohoe: We all know Ireland is a small open economy that is deeply dependent on the role of financial investment in its economy to keep it going and very dependent on its international reputation. A number of speakers have referred to the role the IMF could play in the economy in the future. We need to be very clear about one thing. While an outside body could play a role in helping the country...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Nov 2010)

Paschal Donohoe: That is a crucial question. I hear Senator MacSharry talk about the salaries being paid to people in the third level sector and the universities. I have to remind him that his party is in Government, and he should do something about it.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Nov 2010)

Paschal Donohoe: For those of us in public life, this is particularly resonant. These are the same people who were tenured, with vast pensions and multiple jobs, who will be lecturing us on how we need to conduct our affairs. To address this would deliver some moral legitimacy and credibility to what must be done to tackle the issues and lead the entire country back to prosperity.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Nov 2010)

Paschal Donohoe: Senator Leyden has done enough offending himself.

Seanad: European Council: Statements (9 Nov 2010)

Paschal Donohoe: I welcome the Minister to the House and thank him for his update on the conclusions and decisions from the European Council meeting. I want to register a concern about a number of the decisions and conclusions that came out of this European Council meeting. In doing that, I am deeply mindful of the fact that if it was not for the support the European Union has given our country over recent...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2010)

Paschal Donohoe: I support the calls for consensus made by many of my colleagues. However, it is important to emphasise the point made by Senator Regan about the degree of consensus that already exists in many areas, including on the need to reduce our deficit to 3% of GDP by 2014, to implement budgetary adjustments at an early stage, and to ensure that what we do stays within the eurozone framework. In...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2010)

Paschal Donohoe: I wish to comment on the protest involving students which took place yesterday, the events that occurred outside the Department of Finance and the comments that have been make in respect of the latter. It has been frequently stated in this House that the future of our country depends on the attitude and skills of young people. I witnessed at first hand objects being thrown at the front...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Nov 2010)

Paschal Donohoe: I want to raise a subject that has not be touched on so far, that of the recent European Council meeting at which the Taoiseach and leaders of other countries met and at which agreement was forged regarding a new way in which nations need to conduct their finances and economic policies. The famous Stability and Growth Pact, which was shown to be nothing of the sort, is now being...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Nov 2010)

Paschal Donohoe: Like my colleagues, I strongly condemn what happened yesterday to the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. The biggest wonder about it is not the actual event but, unfortunately, that it has taken so long to happen. We acknowledge time and again in this House the desperate state of the economy. Let us consider what the bond markets are saying today. Colleagues have already...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Oct 2010)

Paschal Donohoe: I wish to pick up on what Senator Boyle said about the ESRI report which has introduced into our discussion something that is misleading. A headline in one of our main newspapers indicates that the EU target could spell disaster. Let us be clear that we are not looking and do not need to reduce our borrowing commitments because of our membership of the European Union or a target set in...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Oct 2010)

Paschal Donohoe: On a day like this.

Seanad: Announcement on Banking by the Minister for Finance: Statements (20 Oct 2010)

Paschal Donohoe: I welcome the Minister of State. This afternoon's meeting between the party leaders featured strongly on the Order of Business this morning when Senators from all sides welcomed the talks. It is vital the political system responds to the unprecedented economic times in which we find ourselves. I hope this afternoon's discussions will help create confidence in the measures being taken to...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Oct 2010)

Paschal Donohoe: Today marks an unprecedented day for Irish politics. The leader of Fine Gael will meet the Taoiseach and the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to review the crisis our country is in. This unprecedented day for our politics arrives during an unprecedented economic era. As this country's problems are so serious, today should not be a day for glib soundbites, or for...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Oct 2010)

Paschal Donohoe: I will make two brief points. Senator Phelan spoke about the widening deficit being faced by the country. The Opposition spokespersons on finance were given the role of communicating that information to the country yesterday. If this side of the House is willing to come forward to engage with the Government on the perilous state the country is in, the Government owes it to the Opposition...

Seanad: National Spatial Strategy Report: Statements (14 Oct 2010)

Paschal Donohoe: I welcome the Minister of State and acknowledge that this is a very important debate on a number of different levels.

Seanad: National Spatial Strategy Report: Statements (14 Oct 2010)

Paschal Donohoe: I welcome the Minister of State. This is an important debate on a number of levels. There is a need for the review and analysis of the national spatial strategy on the basis of my experience travelling outside Dublin through small towns and villages which are the backbone of our society. I notice repeatedly how quiet these towns and villages are at night, as well as the slow and steady...