Results 501-520 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

Pre-Budget Statements (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Dick Roche: Deputy McManus and I look after each other.

Pre-Budget Statements (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Dick Roche: Here comes the master plan.

Pre-Budget Statements (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Dick Roche: Ireland's economic wellbeing, indeed our economic future will be built on four pillars: a public expenditure system that is sustainable; a tax system suited to our present needs; a banking system that is functional, focused and properly regulated; and a social support system that is just and equitable. The upcoming budget must be a statement not just to the people of this country but to...

Pre-Budget Statements (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Dick Roche: The Malthusian economist.

Seanad: Middle East: Statements (18 Feb 2009)

Dick Roche: I too regret that the debate was not longer because it was a good debate. Senators raised specific issues which I will address. Senators Ormonde and Cummins touched on the issue of illegal weapons. There can be no doubt that weapons which are totally unacceptable were used. The evidence from John Ging, a former officer in the Irish Army, is indisputable. There was some equivocation and...

Seanad: Middle East: Statements (18 Feb 2009)

Dick Roche: He had no interest in telling anything but the truth. Senator Bacik followed up by asking whether the Irish Government will continue its position on that. It will do so, because the views of the UN Secretary General must be respected. It does not matter what the outcome is, but there must be an investigation as this weaponry is just not acceptable. Senator Ormonde also asked about the...

Seanad: Middle East: Statements (18 Feb 2009)

Dick Roche: I thank Seanad Members for tabling this matter for discussion. Considerable interest, concern and outrage have been expressed in the Seanad at the tragic events that have taken place in the Middle East and, in particular, recent developments in Gaza. There can be no doubt that what has happened in Gaza was a tragedy that should not be repeated. Today's debate is opportune because the...

Seanad: Middle East: Statements (18 Feb 2009)

Dick Roche: I ask the Senator to excuse me for the bad habit of a lifetime. I was writing my speech until five minutes before I entered the House.

Seanad: Middle East: Statements (18 Feb 2009)

Dick Roche: A copy may be available of an earlier draft but I will be departing significantly from it. Senator Norris will be aware that when I sat in this House as a Senator I held strong views about Ministers reading scripts prepared by civil servants.

Seanad: Middle East: Statements (18 Feb 2009)

Dick Roche: The agenda for 2008 set at the Annapolis conference in December 2007 committed Israel and the Palestinian Authority to work together to reach an overall agreement within the year. Few were surprised this ambitious target was not achieved but if we are not ambitious we will never make progress. The Israeli Government and the President of the Palestinian Authority pursued direct negotiations...

Seanad: Middle East: Statements (18 Feb 2009)

Dick Roche: The Government's views on this have been made clear. The use of such a degree of force and, in particular, the use of heavy weapons such as phosphorous in built up areas is completely unacceptable. Regardless of what efforts were made to minimise civilian casualties, in these circumstances, large-scale damage and civilian deaths were simply unavoidable and inevitable. We have also drawn...

Seanad: Middle East: Statements (18 Feb 2009)

Dick Roche: On this issue, I make the point they are on the right side. We must nurture and be suitably supportive of all efforts underway at achieving intra-Palestinian reconciliation, since early progress in reviving overall peace efforts is best achieved. At a meeting between the different sides, I said one of the reasons there was such a disproportionate response was the reality that the brothers...

Recapitalisation of Allied Irish Banks and Bank of Ireland: Motion (12 Feb 2009)

Dick Roche: It is always good to have a scapegoat.

Recapitalisation of Allied Irish Banks and Bank of Ireland: Motion (12 Feb 2009)

Dick Roche: I thank the House for the opportunity to address this serious issue. This problem is not uniquely Irish, but there are aspects within the banking system which are uniquely Irish. There is no doubt practices have developed in the banking system which, regrettably, reflect the culture which used to be known as "cute hoorism". Let us get to the point. This is not a uniquely Irish problem,...

Recapitalisation of Allied Irish Banks and Bank of Ireland: Motion (12 Feb 2009)

Dick Roche: The Deputy was being rude about us. Deputy Ahern should not listen to him.

The Economy: Statements (Resumed) (29 Jan 2009)

Dick Roche: I wish share time with Deputy O'Rourke when she comes into the House.

The Economy: Statements (Resumed) (29 Jan 2009)

Dick Roche: I will speak about an area where the Opposition has played an important role, that of Ireland's role in Europe and how critical it is to our current position. Modern states were created on the social market economy model, with freedom for private enterprise balanced by the safety net of the welfare state. That model has served the world, particularly Europe, successfully in the period since...

The Economy: Statements (Resumed) (29 Jan 2009)

Dick Roche: We must stop deluding ourselves on this score. The investment climate for the next few years will be challenging. If we raise doubts about Ireland's place in Europe, the outlook which is already bleak will turn yet bleaker. A stable currency, access to a single market, a competitive and well-regulated economy and predictable tax policies — these are key attributes that international and...

European Council Meeting: Statements (17 Dec 2008)

Dick Roche: If there is one arrogant man in this House, it is Deputy Ó Caoláin.

European Council Meeting: Statements (17 Dec 2008)

Dick Roche: It is Deputy Ó Caoláin who is arrogant and manipulative.