Results 8,261-8,280 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Oct 2009)

Alex White: I never received an answer to my question some weeks ago as to when and why the decision was made to move from a policy of securing savings of €4 billion in public spending through a combination of €2.5 billion in spending cuts and €1.5 billion in taxation measures to a position where the entire €4 billion is apparently to be achieved by way of cuts alone. Senator Fitzgerald referred...

Seanad: Appointments to Public Bodies Bill 2009: Second Stage. (28 Oct 2009)

Alex White: I was shaking my head in disagreement.

Seanad: Appointments to Public Bodies Bill 2009: Second Stage. (28 Oct 2009)

Alex White: I would like to share time with Senator Bacik.

Seanad: Appointments to Public Bodies Bill 2009: Second Stage. (28 Oct 2009)

Alex White: As I listened to Senator Boyle, it occurred to me that greater love for, or adherence to, a Government hath no man than to vote against a Bill he authored. That is the position the Senator finds himself in this evening. I have previously heard him try to spread the blame for this problem by saying that everybody has engaged in these practices since time immemorial. While I do not accept...

Seanad: Appointments to Public Bodies Bill 2009: Second Stage. (28 Oct 2009)

Alex White: On a point of order, surely there is no such word as "agencification" in the English language.

Seanad: European Union Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Oct 2009)

Alex White: I also thank the Minister of State and his officials for their attentive approach, as always, to the debate in the Seanad. As Senator Leyden observed, it is an important moment for the Seanad. It also is important for both the Oireachtas and the people, that this treaty finally has been passed and one hopes it will come into operation sooner rather than later. I agree with Senator Leyden's...

Seanad: Business of Seanad (22 Oct 2009)

Alex White: I would like to contribute.

Seanad: European Union Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2009)

Alex White: I welcome the passing of the Lisbon treaty by a large majority of 2 to 1, which was an excellent outcome. I congratulate the Minister of State and all the leading spokespersons who ran a much better campaign this time than on the previous occasion. The issues were ventilated more carefully and comprehensively, although the quality of debate, for which we all must take responsibility, on...

Seanad: European Union Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2009)

Alex White: It is not pretty. We have all had to examine European directives and other measures for different reasons. I have to struggle with them in another life. It is not exciting or entertaining and it is extremely difficult. We have bound ourselves to doing this work having passed the treaty. Senator Cummins is correct that we need to be better equipped. While I acknowledge these are tight...

Seanad: European Union Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Oct 2009)

Alex White: The issue to which I wish to refer also arose in the context of the 2007 Act. The Minister of State may be familiar with the position my party took on that occasion. I take this opportunity to reiterate that position. This matter may also have been raised during the debate on the Bill in the Lower House. My concern relates to the authority given to the Minister to specify indictable...

Seanad: European Union Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Oct 2009)

Alex White: Whereas the Bill does not bring about any particular change, it is certainly highly relevant. I am not, as has been suggested, merely seizing upon a convenient opportunity to bounce the ball again. My concern about this matter could not be more relevant to this section, particularly in the context of the Lisbon treaty. It is somewhat unsatisfactory for the Minister of State to merely...

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (22 Oct 2009)

Alex White: On behalf of the Labour Party I add my voice to the tributes paid to our colleague in Seanad Éireann, the late Senator Kett. Like Senator Quinn, although I tend to spend more time on the southside these days I too am a northsider and grew up in the area where Senator Kett lived. I welcome the members of his family and his friends and colleagues to the House for these tributes. The tribute...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2009)

Alex White: I am extremely disappointed that the Government appears to have lost out on the opportunity afforded to it when its representatives met the social partners - I believe they are still referred to in this way but the title may now be something of a misnomer - to engage in any real or meaningful discussion, particularly with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. The Government's current line is,...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2009)

Alex White: Over and over again, Members were exploding with indignation. I include in that the Senator who has just-----

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2009)

Alex White: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2009)

Alex White: There is a serious point to be made in respect of this matter. It was stated on the radio a few moments ago that in the eyes of many members of the public, the show was over for the Seanad. It may seem I am adopting a holier-than-thou attitude. However, I accept that I am sometimes not behind the door in interrupting other Members.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2009)

Alex White: Members of Parliament should have a better sense of what-----

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2009)

Alex White: This is another example of that to which I am referring.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2009)

Alex White: People who have been Members of Parliament for 20 years or more do not appear to be able to act with a basic level of decorum.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2009)

Alex White: During yesterday's proceedings Senator Regan took the opportunity to misquote me. I never stated this House served no useful purpose. I am not a supporter or member of the Fine Gael Party. However, for Senator O'Toole to describe what seems to be a genuine proposal that we consider the concept of institutional reform - including as it relates to this House - as harking back to the 1930s is...