Results 8,581-8,600 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

Seanad: Economic Issues: Motion (28 Jan 2009)

Alex White: I believe that is what he said in a reasonably friendly manner. We were not engaging in debate with each other but he was dismissing it as constituting Keynesianism. If we look at any of the countries addressing these questions, including the United States and many other comparable countries, and even at the European Union's approach and conclusions in the autumn of last year, it is clear...

Seanad: Economic Issues: Motion (28 Jan 2009)

Alex White: It is catch up.

Seanad: Economic Issues: Motion (28 Jan 2009)

Alex White: My party supports the very thoughtful motion tabled by the Fine Gael Members. Despite the Government amendment, supported by the Minister of State, I was struck by the fact that another day has gone by without the Government tabling any real proposals in respect of the crisis we face. It has told us over and over how bad things are. Of course, it is important that it makes clear the...

Seanad: Economic Issues: Motion (28 Jan 2009)

Alex White: Indeed. Are we seriously being asked to commend the Government on its management of the economy and the public finances? How could anybody in his or her right mind do that? What policies are being pursued to restore credibility and sustainability to the public finances? There was not much sign of them in the Minister of State's speech, nor has there been much sign of them from the...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jan 2009)

Alex White: On a point of order, that is completely inaccurate. There was no discussion on the framework document last night in the Seanad.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jan 2009)

Alex White: Exactly, but not the framework document.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jan 2009)

Alex White: My point is about accuracy.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jan 2009)

Alex White: And the truth. Tell the truth.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jan 2009)

Alex White: What about the frameworks?

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jan 2009)

Alex White: Yes, but we do expect the truth and accuracy. It should have nothing to do with opinions but the truth.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jan 2009)

Alex White: As indeed should the Leader.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jan 2009)

Alex White: On a point of order, that is a personal attack which the Leader should withdraw.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jan 2009)

Alex White: That is what the Taoiseach said last night as well.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jan 2009)

Alex White: I reiterate my call yesterday for the framework document to be tabled before both Houses. It is not sustainable for the Government to say these matters will come to the Houses next week because, as Senator O'Toole suggested, we will have then essentially a fait accompli. We will not have serious input into an agreement, which, as the Senator rightly said, which is the subject of agreement...

Seanad: Economic Situation: Statements (27 Jan 2009)

Alex White: I begin by repeating a comment I made on the Order of the Business when I described as a spectacle the scenario that this House has been invited to have a debate on the economy, one which has been correctly facilitated by the Minister and the Leader, in circumstances in which the presentation made to us by the Government, through the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh — I do not criticise...

Seanad: Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse: Motion (27 Jan 2009)

Alex White: Like others, I support the proposal that the period of time afforded to the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse be extended for the period suggested. It is appropriate that this be done and the time suggested is not unreasonable, notwithstanding what others have said about the length of time the deliberations have taken to date. I thank the Minister of State for the details provided in...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jan 2009)

Alex White: We face a spectacle later when there will be a debate in both Houses on the economy and I suspect we will be treated to a contribution from the Government along the lines of the single transferable speech on the economy to which we have been listening in the House for three or four months. I hope I am wrong and if I am, I will accept it. However, I do not expect the Minister to come to the...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2008)

Alex White: I agree with what Senator O'Toole has said about the banks. It seems there will be an initiative early in 2009. We need to pause before we consider putting taxpayers' money into those banks in which certain activities, which have been exposed in recent days, appear to have been occurring. We do not know precisely what has been happening. We do not have the precise detail of the story that...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2008)

Alex White: It was about time for a resignation in that sector. I have to say, without trespassing too far into a personal matter, that the resignation about which we heard this morning was particularly welcome for me. As the Labour Party leader in this House, I ask the Cathaoirleach to allow me to briefly note the death in the past 24 hours of Dr. Conor Cruise O'Brien, who was a Member of the Seanad...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2008)

Alex White: Jingle bells.