Results 8,741-8,760 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2008)

Alex White: I endorse the tributes paid to the late Mr. Jack Tobin. Senator O'Toole appears to have a compelling point. The notion that the Houses could set up a sub-committee seems odd. The Houses may set up a committee and it, in turn, may set up a sub-committee. We should have some guidance from the Leader on this matter and perhaps we should take advice from the Committee of Selection. Perhaps...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2008)

Alex White: It would be an odd way to proceed, under Standing Orders, if we proposed a sub-committee on banking to be set up from the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service. How could that work? Clearly, it is a matter for that committee to set up a sub-committee. If the House is now in a position whereby it can establish sub-committees over the heads of committees, as it were,...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Oct 2008)

Alex White: For this person to suggest to the Government that it should consider such cuts when he has been the beneficiary of such largesse, the extent of which we do not yet know, seems extraordinary. Today the Irish Congress of Trade Unions sponsors a very important event called the world day for decent work. I wish to mention it briefly to the House because while such days come and go and frequently...

Seanad: Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: Committee Stage. (1 Oct 2008)

Alex White: I join previous speakers in thanking the Cathaoirleach, colleagues on all sides and, in particular, the staff for their efforts during what has been a very good debate. The Minister has not been as accommodating as I would have wished, but he listened to and dealt with our comments with his usual professionalism, care and attention. The Leader and Senator Doherty stated that the legislation...

Seanad: Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: Committee Stage. (1 Oct 2008)

Alex White: I clarify that it is not a Labour Party amendment but a Fine Gael proposal that the Labour Party will be happy to support. It seems to be the minimum measure that would meet many concerns raised by others. Many of us have made the point that the Bill is a bare bones proposition with very little meat on it. Much is left to trust. We must see what will come out in the scheme. There must be...

Seanad: Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: Committee Stage. (1 Oct 2008)

Alex White: The Minister cannot suggest this Bill is too detailed.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (1 Oct 2008)

Alex White: I agree with Senator Cummins. This Bill started out as emergency legislation but it is quickly losing its tenor as such given what happened yesterday. It is no longer emergency legislation. The Government has made a decision and is now looking to both Houses to pass the legislation. On the 10 p.m. issue, Committee Stage of the Bill will resume in the other House at 8.30 p.m. and there are...

Seanad: Business of Seanad (1 Oct 2008)

Alex White: On a point of order, if the debate in this House is to occur tonight, is there a rule or convention in place in respect of the timescale applying to the moving of amendments? I wish to signal now to colleagues that the Labour Party intends to move the 12 or 13 amendments that are being moved in the Dáil on Committee Stage in this House.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (1 Oct 2008)

Alex White: There is no real basis for doing that.

Seanad: Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: Committee Stage. (1 Oct 2008)

Alex White: I support those who have spoken on this amendment. A colleague made the point earlier that the issue of executive pay is a populist one and is not an objection of substance. I fundamentally disagree with that. This legislation looks likely to be passed by both Houses but the Minister and the Government will require an element of buy-in, if I can use that phrase, by taxpayers, the people...

Seanad: Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: Second Stage (1 Oct 2008)

Alex White: That was before it happened.

Seanad: Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: Second Stage (1 Oct 2008)

Alex White: The Senator knew before the Minister.

Seanad: Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: Second Stage (1 Oct 2008)

Alex White: Steady on.

Seanad: Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: Second Stage (1 Oct 2008)

Alex White: People one never would have seen at the Galway tent.

Seanad: Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: Second Stage (1 Oct 2008)

Alex White: Start it.

Seanad: Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: Second Stage (1 Oct 2008)

Alex White: That will be a first.

Seanad: Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: Second Stage (1 Oct 2008)

Alex White: It was the actions of the former Minister, Michael McDowell.

Seanad: Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: Second Stage (1 Oct 2008)

Alex White: Was such a scenario in prospect?

Seanad: Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: Second Stage (1 Oct 2008)

Alex White: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: Second Stage (1 Oct 2008)

Alex White: Senator O'Malley felt she had to revise her comments on the basis of Senator Ross's contribution. I am in a slightly different position in the sense that I endorse almost all of what Senator Ross said, which is an unusual position for me. With all respect to the Senator, we sometimes approach issues from differing political perspectives. Everything he said was compelling. I will repeat...