Results 8,161-8,180 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2009)

Alex White: Will those issue papers be published? The Planning and Development Act 2000 refers to the notice given to the Minister, to other authorities, to adjoining planning authorities, to the board and other people and stipulates that it shall be published in one or more newspapers circulated in the area. Should these issue papers be given wider circulation than simply making them available or...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2009)

Alex White: I understand what the Ministers of State is saying but I think it is excessive. I will not press this amendment and will examine it in the context of Report Stage.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2009)

Alex White: I move amendment No. 18: In page 12, line 11, after "paragraph (a)" to insert the following: "(other than a resolution accepting an amendment which has been approved by the Manager)". This amendment is concerned with a possible defect in the Bill's treatment of amendments to the development plan, which it proposes will require a two thirds majority. Sometimes amendments are proposed by the...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2009)

Alex White: In those circumstances, I withdraw the amendment. I appreciate what the Minister of State and Senator Glynn have said.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2009)

Alex White: I agree with my colleagues. I am concerned about the possibility of a minority rump in a council determining the outcomes of these very important issues. The rationale for having a two thirds majority as opposed to a simple majority is worth further debate in the House because it is one of the more important proposals in the Bill. I am not stating that I could be persuaded by the Minister...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2009)

Alex White: I join others in welcoming this provision. It is unfortunate that people get caught at different stages when legislation is introduced but a wider public interest is involved, which Senator Coffey outlined eloquently. I support the amendment.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Nov 2009)

Alex White: I did the opposite.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Nov 2009)

Alex White: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Nov 2009)

Alex White: I am happy to support the calls that have been made for a debate on the economy in advance of the Budget Statement. Yesterday the Leader indicated his intention to schedule a debate for 1 December but perhaps we should also hold discussions next week. My colleague, Senator Hanafin, was unhappy with my comment that I did not know whether to laugh or cry at his suggestion to trade ideas about...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2009)

Alex White: Was it about bankers?

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2009)

Alex White: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2009)

Alex White: As we had a fair level of debate on the banks last week, I will not dwell on the point. The central objective of the NAMA project is to get credit flowing in the economy. I cannot understand the contradiction at the heart of the argument in favour of NAMA made by some colleagues in the House. They freely state they do not believe credit will flow again, yet they still support the NAMA...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 Nov 2009)

Alex White: I move amendment No. 11: In page 50, line 30, to delete "Éireann.", and substitute the following: "Éireann, save that such evidence shall not include questioning or expressing an opinion on the merits of any policy of the Government or a Minister of the Government or on the merits of the objectives of such a policy.". This is a proposed amendment to section 58. The matter was ventilated in...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 Nov 2009)

Alex White: It concerned the issue of the chairperson and chief executive officer of NAMA and the extent to which they ought to be restricted or constrained in what they say before the Committee of Public Accounts and what type of evidence they are entitled to give, as well as the level, basis or extent of the nature of the questioning that is entitled to be permitted. The Minister for Finance last...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 Nov 2009)

Alex White: That is a very disappointing response and it is not convincing. With regard to the contention that the provision represents standard practice, it emerged in the debate last night that provisions such as this appear in some Acts but not in others. It is clear it is not a universal provision affecting the types of officeholders in question. I accept the provision is included in some...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 Nov 2009)

Alex White: I am not yet finished but will not be much longer.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 Nov 2009)

Alex White: The House has not heard-----

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 Nov 2009)

Alex White: I am not yet finished but I am almost finished. The House has heard very few speeches from the Labour Party benches for the past six hours. Perhaps the Acting Chairman will indulge me in regard to the two or three amendments which we will be pressing. I would like to finish the point I was making in regard to Dr. Somers. I note RTE has stated that Dr. Somers is to leave his post next...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 Nov 2009)

Alex White: -----including those who are calling for a shortening of the debate.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 Nov 2009)

Alex White: On a point of order, before Senator Norris leaves the House, I wish to inquire, in terms of the business of the House, whether if the Labour Party amendment is pressed the outcome of that vote will in any way affect the possibility of Senator Norris's amendment being put to the House.