Results 8,661-8,680 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Nov 2008)

Alex White: Many of them have closed.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Nov 2008)

Alex White: I disagree profoundly with the position of the President of the Czech Republic but an issue arises in respect of the maturity of the debate thereon. If the President of the Czech Republic states his position in Ireland, surely the way to counter that is through the strength of the arguments against what he is saying rather than suggesting he does not have the right to make his points. I...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2008)

Alex White: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2008)

Alex White: I, too, express my sympathy to the family of Shane Geoghegan following his really shocking murder in Limerick at the weekend. I support what has been said on the extraordinary absence of Government legislation in the House. Senator Ross is correct about this. We have debates on efficiency and relevance in respect of the public service and apparently the debate is bubbling away. Members...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Nov 2008)

Alex White: We built houses that people do not want.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Nov 2008)

Alex White: The houses are empty. There are 100,000 units with nobody in them.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Nov 2008)

Alex White: At a time when the predominant mood in politics and public life is one of pessimism, I join the Leader and the other group leaders in conveying our congratulations to President-elect Obama. It is a moment of considerable optimism, which is an antidote to the deep pessimism we all see around us with regard to our economy and the world economy. It is a fantastic moment and, as Senator...

Seanad: Broadcasting Standards: Statements (4 Nov 2008)

Alex White: We must exercise great care in this debate. There is a long tradition of politicians in chambers such as this and elsewhere repeatedly having a go at broadcasters and broadcasting. We must be extremely careful regarding the way we proceed and not just for the reason outlined by Senator Ó Murchú, namely, that many politicians cannot afford to be critical of the media because the day might...

Seanad: Broadcasting Standards: Statements (4 Nov 2008)

Alex White: Absolutely. It is another of those words. It is often used by people who are not socialist but they have a good view about what they think socialism is or should be and they indulge themselves in that. To come back to the notion of liberal, Senator Walsh went on to speak about people who wish to shape public opinion on an issue. Often when that point is made, it is a case of somebody...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2008)

Alex White: Be afraid.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2008)

Alex White: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2008)

Alex White: Yes, but it is not the point.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2008)

Alex White: For two months.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2008)

Alex White: Is that it?

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2008)

Alex White: I do not understand why we cannot have the debate for which Senators Fitzgerald and O'Toole called. Will the Deputy Leader indicate in his response to the House why we cannot have the debate this week? As Senator O'Toole correctly said, it was called for last week. This is an urgent matter and if the House is to have any relevance it should debate the issues everyone else is discussing and...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2008)

Alex White: I showed my Obama badge to some of my colleagues. I was somewhat concerned after difficulties of a sartorial nature experienced by my colleague Senator Hannigan some weeks ago and I was afraid to wear my badge. However, I have my Obama badge here today. Clearly, the eyes of the world are on that election.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2008)

Alex White: I will spare the Cathaoirleach the embarrassment of wearing the badge. On a more serious note, it is right that the eyes of the world are on the US, but I hope when the election is over the eyes of the international community will fix, at least briefly, on the recent shocking reports by the BBC and Amnesty International in respect of the most horrific stoning, beating and murder of a young...

Seanad: Mental Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (30 Oct 2008)

Alex White: The Labour Party will not oppose this Bill. What strikes me initially — the Minister can correct me if I am wrong — is that this is the second time in recent months the Minister has come to this House with legislation that retrospectively validates the legality of particular matters within the remit of the Department of Health and Children. If I am not mistaken, this House dealt...

Seanad: Morris Tribunal: Statements (30 Oct 2008)

Alex White: I will begin by echoing the remarks of other Members in respect of Mr. Justice Morris's work during the preparation of his eight reports. I refer to the extraordinary amount of work that was input, the careful consideration and sifting of evidence and allegations, as well as the highly detailed and, as Members have commented, in many ways shocking contents of the reports that have been...

Seanad: Morris Tribunal: Statements (30 Oct 2008)

Alex White: That is not a political point but a fair one.