Results 741-760 of 4,465 for speaker:Jim Walsh

Seanad: Seanad Electoral (Panel Members) (Amendment) Bill 2014: Second Stage (14 May 2014)

Jim Walsh: This is another in a long line of Private Member's Bills on Seanad reform. The most important element, and one that should be addressed, is that reform of the Seanad should concentrate in the first instance on its powers, functions and remit. The electoral system for the vocational panels should then come under scrutiny. I do not fully subscribe to many people's dismissal of the current...

Seanad: Seanad Electoral (Panel Members) (Amendment) Bill 2014: Second Stage (14 May 2014)

Jim Walsh: He has been promoted. Indeed, quite a number of members of the Cabinet have taken that route. I do not agree with the denigration, but the disconnect with the public needs to be addressed. Besides this Bill, Senators Quinn and Zappone have published one, Fianna Fáil has published another and Senator Crown has published yet another. Elements of each Bill could enhance the electoral...

Seanad: Seanad Electoral (Panel Members) (Amendment) Bill 2014: Second Stage (14 May 2014)

Jim Walsh: -----to ensure a Government majority in the House. I was not a Senator at the time, but my colleague, Senator Mooney, was when a Government came to power without an election in 1994. For the three following years, it functioned effectively without a majority in this House. That Seanad responded responsibly to all legislation and debates. Now, when Opposition Members raise issues,...

Seanad: Seanad Electoral (Panel Members) (Amendment) Bill 2014: Second Stage (14 May 2014)

Jim Walsh: It is very relevant. It is about the removal of the Whip in its current form.

Seanad: Seanad Electoral (Panel Members) (Amendment) Bill 2014: Second Stage (14 May 2014)

Jim Walsh: It is also about removing the system of Taoiseach's nominees. Groupthink does not serve us well. It happens in respect of economic issues when, due to party loyalties, people do not oppose something. Many Members in the Minister of State's party will regret that they did not show Deputy Walsh's levels of courage and conviction. It will not happen under this Government, but I suggest that a...

Seanad: Seanad Electoral (Panel Members) (Amendment) Bill 2014: Second Stage (14 May 2014)

Jim Walsh: He would be put in the ha'penny place by some of the things this Government has done since getting into power.

Seanad: Seanad Electoral (Panel Members) (Amendment) Bill 2014: Second Stage (14 May 2014)

Jim Walsh: If the Minister of State doubts this, he will discover that I am correct if he does a little bit of canvassing between now and Friday week. The people of Drogheda will inform him.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2014)

Jim Walsh: The squandering of taxpayers' money is a good point for me to start off on. The Senator overlooks the fact that his party has been in government for over three years. He is absolutely right. Taxpayers' money is being squandered right across the board in various Departments. I concur fully with everything Senator Brennan said about tax rates. They need to be reduced dramatically. The USC...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2014)

Jim Walsh: The Senator should deal with the issue.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2014)

Jim Walsh: The installation of meters, is it?

Seanad: Abduction of Nigerian Children: Motion (13 May 2014)

Jim Walsh: I support the Senator's suggestion but I am uncomfortable with dealing with a selective atrocity. We are talking about a very heinous crime here.

Seanad: Abduction of Nigerian Children: Motion (13 May 2014)

Jim Walsh: When one takes into consideration all of the other atrocities, particularly the killing of children which I have listed, it makes me uncomfortable. In light of the way the Senator has put his suggestion, I accept what he has said and I trust that we will have a full debate in the very near future that will encompass all of the issues. We can join together as a group in the Chamber to...

Seanad: Abduction of Nigerian Children: Motion (13 May 2014)

Jim Walsh: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Joe Costello. In fact, probably a year ago I tabled a motion on Boko Haram, requesting action to be taken by the Government and at EU level. It has also been discussed at the Joint Committee of Foreign Affairs and Trade in the past year to 18 months. Boko Haram is one of the most murderous terrorist groups in the world. Their chilling acts of terror...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2014)

Jim Walsh: I am happy to second it.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2014)

Jim Walsh: No. The Government's Independent Members have also spoken

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2014)

Jim Walsh: They are.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2014)

Jim Walsh: I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, on behalf of Senator Sean D. Barrett, that First Stage of his Bill, the Seanad Electoral (Panel Members) (Amendment) Bill, be taken today.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2014)

Jim Walsh: Can I propose that First Stage of the Seanad Electoral (Panel Members) (Amendment) Bill 2014 be taken today? I also second the amendment proposed by Senator Marc Mac Sharry. I welcome the statements, however belated, from Members on the Government side on the Guerin report and, in particular, the integrity of the whistleblowers. So much damage has been done to the process of whistleblowing...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2014)

Jim Walsh: On a point of order, this is the sixth Member from the Government side to be called. Just two Senators from the Opposition side have spoken. If that is in line with the procedure laid down by the Seanad Committee on Procedure and Privileges, I suggest it needs to be looked at seriously. This has never before happened in my time in the House.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (13 May 2014)

Jim Walsh: Six speakers from the other side have been called.