Results 8,641-8,660 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

Alex White: I am glad we will have a debate on the economy next week regardless of what day it will take place or the other events with which it might coincide. It is important we are having that debate next week having called for it so often. I was struck by the following curious point in regard to the reports today about the banks. A new group of investors has offered the Minister for Finance a...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

Alex White: I wonder if he would take out that speech, dust it down and read it again to see what it is he would propose by way of addressing the palpable sense of not alone uncertainty but real fear, which is increasing by the day and almost by the hour, across the community. Everybody is seeking a solution to the problem. We accept the Government cannot solve every problem. However, we are looking...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

Alex White: ——a shocking proposal, one that ought never have been brought forward. We are now seeing it being at least partly reversed in the new proposals on efficiency in the public service. I ask that the Leader give serious consideration to inviting the Taoiseach to the House for the debate. I remind Members that the collapse in State revenue in this country was well under way before the...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

Alex White: That is a fact, not an opinion. We must face up to these facts and have a proper debate on them. I respectfully suggest that this forum is a good place to have that debate, a somewhat more relaxed and thoughtful debate than is possible in the other House. I ask that the Leader arrange such a debate as soon as possible.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

Alex White: We have a recession.

Seanad: Stem-Cell Research (Protection of Human Embryos) Bill 2008: Second Stage (26 Nov 2008)

Alex White: I welcome this debate in the Seanad and I compliment those who spoke and sought to wrestle with this difficult question. I state clearly at the outset that I would not, and do not, support the Bill introduced by Senator Mullen. I do not believe it is the way to deal with this complex problem. A Bill that is, essentially, founded on criminal sanctions or at least includes such sanctions as...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Second Stage (26 Nov 2008)

Alex White: It was no problem to the Senator.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Second Stage (26 Nov 2008)

Alex White: I welcome the Bill. As other Members said, it will introduce a regulatory regime which will serve the interests of the public and charities, and in that regard it is to be welcomed. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Curran, to the House in respect of his introduction of this important legislation. As acknowledged by other Members, we have a proud tradition of charitable donation in...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Nov 2008)

Alex White: Are Senator O'Toole and the rest of us wasting our breath asking the Leader to arrange a debate on the economy? We keep doing so but, as a child might say, "It keeps not happening." Is there any point in our seeking it? Will the Leader address this, thus saving ourselves the trouble on the Order of Business of seeking a debate on the economy, about which everybody is talking? I have just...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Nov 2008)

Alex White: It certainly has not started rolling yet. Are we to have such a debate in the House or should we just give up on the idea? Tomorrow the Taoiseach and the Minister for Finance are to announce a programme of significant public sector reform. I welcome this and ask the Leader to arrange a debate on it. I welcome the programme for two reasons, the first of which is that no reasonable person...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Nov 2008)

Alex White: I object to that, on a point of order——

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Nov 2008)

Alex White: On a point of order——

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Nov 2008)

Alex White: On a point of order, there is a convention in this House, as was pointed out to me, in respect of referring to people who are or are not in the House at any particular time. Senator O'Malley is wrong. When there are debates on the economy and on financial matters, I am here, and I have contributed to them.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Nov 2008)

Alex White: I want that remark to be withdrawn. We have been calling for this debate——

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Nov 2008)

Alex White: ——for four weeks and it has not happened.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Nov 2008)

Alex White: It is most unfortunate that Senator O'Malley has sought to personalise this and in a completely inaccurate manner.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Nov 2008)

Alex White: The Senator has a great chance of getting that.

Seanad: Death of Member: Expressions of Sympathy (18 Nov 2008)

Alex White: Given the extraordinary contribution Séamus Brennan made in the constituency of Dublin South and nationally, it is not surprising that many people I meet on a daily basis in the constituency refer to how sad it is he has passed. It is striking the number of times people of all parties and of all persuasions and none repeatedly express their sadness about this to me, a political opponent of...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Nov 2008)

Alex White: That would never happen.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Nov 2008)

Alex White: We have post offices in urban Ireland also.