Results 461-480 of 1,467 for speaker:Geraldine Feeney

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Feb 2009)

Geraldine Feeney: I commend the Cathaoirleach, but I sympathise with him some mornings, on running the Order of Business, which is very difficult for him. Maybe it would be better if every speaker had three minutes to make his or her point instead of making Second Stage speeches after the leaders.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Feb 2009)

Geraldine Feeney: It may help and everybody would get in if we stuck to such a rule. The point I rise to make has already been made briefly by Senator Hannigan. It relates to having a debate with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment on young trainee apprentices who find themselves in an unfortunate situation. There is not a town or village in this country that does not have a young carpenter,...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Feb 2009)

Geraldine Feeney: I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on ensuring people's co-operation with Oireachtas committees. I agree with Senators Fitzgerald and O'Toole regarding the anger that has erupted. Over the weekend, I found that most people were discussing the "Six One News" interview with the chief executive officer of Bank of Ireland, during which he spoke about his salary. They were asking what planet...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Feb 2009)

Geraldine Feeney: I put it to the House that a moral issue arises. On moral grounds, they should be made to return the money.

Seanad: Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Statements (5 Feb 2009)

Geraldine Feeney: Keep saying the prayers.

Seanad: Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Statements (5 Feb 2009)

Geraldine Feeney: I welcome the Minister, Deputy Mansergh. He is much busier now than he was when he was a Member of this House. It is good to see him.

Seanad: Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Statements (5 Feb 2009)

Geraldine Feeney: He was, indeed. However, he is much busier now. I listened with interest to the debate and was delighted with the contributions from all sides of the House. Some very constructive points were made in some of the presentations. I commend the Taoiseach, Deputy Brian Cowen, the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, and the Cabinet on what they have done. It was a courageous step but...

Seanad: Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Statements (5 Feb 2009)

Geraldine Feeney: ——I consider the reference to the social partners and to the process both simplistic and insulting.

Seanad: Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Statements (5 Feb 2009)

Geraldine Feeney: Trade unions, business leaders and representatives of civic society——

Seanad: Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Statements (5 Feb 2009)

Geraldine Feeney: ——have a role to play and the importance of that role must be recognised.

Seanad: Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Statements (5 Feb 2009)

Geraldine Feeney: Those who criticise the——

Seanad: Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Statements (5 Feb 2009)

Geraldine Feeney: I did not interrupt anybody.

Seanad: Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Statements (5 Feb 2009)

Geraldine Feeney: Those who criticise the process of consultation would do well to spell out in clear terms——

Seanad: Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Statements (5 Feb 2009)

Geraldine Feeney: ——what their alternative to social dialogue would be.

Seanad: Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Statements (5 Feb 2009)

Geraldine Feeney: The concept that all power, responsibility and wisdom resides in one person or in a government is alien to this republic and has no place in democracy. All Senators participating in the debate brought forward ideas of how things might work. On Monday or Tuesday of this week, The Irish Times and the Irish Independent covered very extensively the current crisis in the motor industry. Is...

Seanad: Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Statements (5 Feb 2009)

Geraldine Feeney: We must get small construction businesses back up and running. I come from a medium-sized town and I know the small builders who would build a house or an extension — I will not call them construction people. They are on their knees. I call on the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, to ensure that whatever we do when we recapitalise the banks, there is a clause that small and...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2009)

Geraldine Feeney: There are no prepared scripts. We are consulting notes.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2009)

Geraldine Feeney: It was won by the present Taoiseach.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2009)

Geraldine Feeney: What about the way the Senator is speaking to us?

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Feb 2009)

Geraldine Feeney: It is difficult to follow that remark, but I will try. There is too much water down around Clonmel. It has gone to your head, Senator Prendergast.