Results 8,281-8,300 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2009)

Alex White: No, it is not.

Seanad: Death of Member: Expressions of Sympathy (13 Oct 2009)

Alex White: I join the Cathaoirleach and the Leader in expressing sympathy with Senator Callanan's family, his many friends in Cork and further afield and, as Senator Cummins stated, with the members of the Fianna Fáil Party in the House who have lost another one of their close colleagues and friends here. I endorse what has been said about Senator Callanan. I found him to be a most courteous and...

Seanad: Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (7 Oct 2009)

Alex White: Although I am not recording a conflict of interest, I come from a background in which I am a legal practitioner specialising in employment and labour law, representing at different times employers, employees, trade unions and, occasionally, employer groups. This is important amending legislation which, in its broad scope, the Labour Party will support. The Minister of State has indicated...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2009)

Alex White: The Cathaoirleach's comment fortifies Senator O'Toole's statement about the necessity for the CPP to consider this.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2009)

Alex White: I will not dwell on the issue now because it is more appropriate to the committee. I sit on that committee and will make my views clear there. It is absurd to suggest that a Member of the Parliament, duly elected to this House, cannot comment on persons outside. The whole country is talking about particular individuals and it is nonsensical to suggest that this the only place in which...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2009)

Alex White: I have respect for the Chair and for his ruling and we will all follow it. We all understand our position here and that we are covered by absolute privilege. We understand the responsibility given to us and we all, generally, observe that. My colleague, Senator Hannigan, said yesterday that he did not think Tony Blair should be made president of the European Union. Nobody in their right...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2009)

Alex White: That should happen because neither I nor my party will agree to such a broad restriction on Members. It is nonsensical. I do not mean that the Chair is nonsensical but such a restriction would be nonsensical. I maintain absolute respect for the Chair and for this forum but that kind of restriction is too onerous. I did not receive a response from the Leader to a question I put yesterday...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2009)

Alex White: The Leader was not listening to the question. The Leader either was not listening or chose for his own purposes to answer an easier question, which he does from time to time.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2009)

Alex White: I have the question so that it may be absolutely clear.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2009)

Alex White: In April this year the Government made it clear that €4 billion must be found in savings in December. We can tick that box because we know it. The Government stated also that this figure would be broken down into €2.5 billion in expenditure cuts and €1.5 billion in taxation measures. In August, out of the blue, the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, said the entirety of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2009)

Alex White: Can it be made any clearer?

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2009)

Alex White: That is my question.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2009)

Alex White: That was not the question I asked.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2009)

Alex White: There are no doubts about what Senator O'Toole said, that the level of trust and confidence in politicians is at an all-time low. That is absolutely true. Any Member who is in contact with people - I am sure that is the case with all of my colleagues - must know that there is an unprecedented level of anger and frustration evident across all levels of society. The question of expenses is...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2009)

Alex White: It was the second highest "Yes" vote.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Sep 2009)

Alex White: In so far as Senator O'Toole is allowed to express his sadness at the loss of Senator Bacik to the Labour Party benches, I note with great pleasure that she has joined us on them. I am sure she will impress and prosper as much as she did on the other benches which, I notice, have been augmented by another Senator. We were not informed about that before the House met.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Sep 2009)

Alex White: I wish the Sinn Féin and Independent Senators well in the forthcoming session. Before we went away for the summer we were told three major reports would be published during the holiday period to which we should all pay attention, which we should all read, understand and be ready to debate when we returned to the House. They were the report on the outline of the legislation on NAMA which has...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Sep 2009)

Alex White: The Ministers, Deputies Ó Cuív and Cullen, do not like the report. The Tánaiste does not like it. When people come into the Gallery of this House, they wonder how Senators on the Government side very often make speeches that disagree with Government policy. I remind them that senior Ministers are making a laughing stock of their own Government. They are contributing further to what the...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Sep 2009)

Alex White: The Leader was not asked that question.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Jul 2009)

Alex White: I agree with Senator Regan on one point, namely, that there was a very good discussion in the course of the day. The Minister was attentive, and I thank him on my behalf and on behalf of my party for his willingness to listen and to engage in the debate. However, part of our role in this House, and in any parliament, is not just to express our opinion but to have the ability to bring...