Results 7,801-7,820 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

Seanad: National Economy: Statements (30 Sep 2010)

Alex White: Obviously, I touched a raw nerve with the Senator who does not usually pipe up in that way. Trust is the next issue to be considered with regard to the future and confidence. I had a very interesting experience earlier, although people might think it strange for me to relate it. I listened to the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, on "Morning Ireland" this morning and said...

Seanad: National Economy: Statements (30 Sep 2010)

Alex White: I did not realise I was going to be doing that, a Chathaoirligh, when I started.

Seanad: National Economy: Statements (30 Sep 2010)

Alex White: I listened to my colleague, Senator Hanafin. One of the legacies of the period from which we have just emerged was the complete failure of many in government to distinguish between a so-called genuine business person and one who was less than genuine. Those who have turned out to be duds and less than genuine, if not worse, were feted and celebrated by many members of the Government during...

Seanad: National Economy: Statements (30 Sep 2010)

Alex White: I am afraid I address these remarks to my good colleague, Senator MacSharry, because he dwells a little too much on his concerns about the people he claims are engaging in negativity.

Seanad: National Economy: Statements (30 Sep 2010)

Alex White: The Senator often does so. I am simply answering the issue. I do not mind——

Seanad: National Economy: Statements (30 Sep 2010)

Alex White: I do not mind——

Seanad: National Economy: Statements (30 Sep 2010)

Alex White: ——the Senator making his point in the House. His problem is that when somebody criticises him, he becomes all excited.

Seanad: National Economy: Statements (30 Sep 2010)

Alex White: He should wait and listen for a little while and he might get to engage in the debate.

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Sep 2010)

Alex White: On the point about confidence and people's confidence in the future, unfortunately we must record the fact that whatever about the mood in this House and the mood in Leinster House, there is a palpable mood of despondency and fear throughout the country that has not changed since the House last sat. If anything, it has got worse. We have a responsibility to address this. The principal...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Sep 2010)

Alex White: What sort of nonsense is that and what way is that to treat Parliament and the people? The Government should level with the people. Let us have the facts. We can take it and the people can take it. The Government would be much better off to level with the people and give them the facts, however negative they are, so that the people can be part of this great confidence building exercise in...

Seanad: Credit Institutions (Eligible Liabilities Guarantee) (Amendment) Scheme 2010: Motion (29 Sep 2010)

Alex White: It is not irresponsible to oppose, to test government policy or to seek to amend it. The opposition at any period of a country's history performs a major task for the body politic, to which Senator Boyle refers, precisely by being in a position to test, criticise, query and, if it judges it to be appropriate or necessary, oppose. It is for a government to ensure its policies are...

Seanad: Credit Institutions (Eligible Liabilities Guarantee) (Amendment) Scheme 2010: Motion (Resumed) (29 Sep 2010)

Alex White: I will keep to my time. I have five minutes more.

Seanad: Credit Institutions (Eligible Liabilities Guarantee) (Amendment) Scheme 2010: Motion (Resumed) (29 Sep 2010)

Alex White: Innocent children are being lied to. There must be some level of judgment that a government can exercise or is required to exercise when it is told something by a financial institution rather than simply accepting it. Senator Ross made another point. Even if we were to go along with the notion that the Government and we were lied to, how could it ever speak to those people again, if I could...

Seanad: Credit Institutions (Eligible Liabilities Guarantee) (Amendment) Scheme 2010: Motion (Resumed) (29 Sep 2010)

Alex White: We are doing it because the others have done it. That answers it.

Seanad: Credit Institutions (Eligible Liabilities Guarantee) (Amendment) Scheme 2010: Motion (Resumed) (29 Sep 2010)

Alex White: If that is the rationale, it is quite limited. It would have been nice had it been explained to the Irish people. We are simply doing it because 12 other countries have done it. When did we know they would do it? Did we know before the Houses took the break and, if so, why were we not told?

Seanad: Credit Institutions (Eligible Liabilities Guarantee) (Amendment) Scheme 2010: Motion (Resumed) (29 Sep 2010)

Alex White: Why has the Minister of State not expressly stated that the reason we are extending the guarantee is because those other countries have done so? He did not state it.

Seanad: Credit Institutions (Eligible Liabilities Guarantee) (Amendment) Scheme 2010: Motion (Resumed) (29 Sep 2010)

Alex White: He stated that the "phasing-out process must be measured, incremental and responsible". He might assist me as to where the section is precisely.

Seanad: Credit Institutions (Eligible Liabilities Guarantee) (Amendment) Scheme 2010: Motion (Resumed) (29 Sep 2010)

Alex White: According to the Minister of State, "the Minister sought a similar extension to 31 December". It is the same point. The Minister is telling the Houses that he is doing it because others are doing it. A debate in which we stepped outside the notion that we should do something because other countries do it would be nice. Had we debated the precise reason these decisions were being put to...

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (14 Jul 2010)

Alex White: On behalf of the Labour Party, I join others in paying tribute to the late Joe Doyle, a former Deputy and Senator. I note the presence of members of his family. I convey my sympathy to the Fine Gael Party on the loss of a truly great representative. He was a local representative, a Member of the Oireachtas and Lord Mayor of Dublin. As I am a latecomer to this business, I did not know Joe...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jul 2010)

Alex White: I do not have a difficulty with debating the ESRI report and it is a pity we do not have time to do so prior to the end of the term. We are very fortunate to have an organisation such as the ESRI which does not seek to massage information or present it in a particular way that would be of value politically either to the Government or to anyone else. In that context, I respectfully disagree...