Results 881-900 of 1,591 for speaker:Eugene Regan

Seanad: Supplementary Budget Statement 2009: Statements (9 Apr 2009)

Eugene Regan: We can feel reassured after Senator Callely's presentation. It is no time for arrogance from Members on the Fianna Fáil benches. Fianna Fáil has dragged us into this economic situation and has failed to maintain the international reputation of this country to the extent that Mr. Peter Sutherland had to make an intervention today to speak up for the country, to say that the economic...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Apr 2009)

Eugene Regan: I heard the Peter Sutherland interview this morning and it was extremely good. He stated that despite all the difficulties we have, the downgrading of the Irish economy by the international rating agencies and the negative views taken in the international press such as the Financial Times and others is overdone. He listed our national income compared to other European countries, even if we...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Apr 2009)

Eugene Regan: ——in difficult situations and has delivered results.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Apr 2009)

Eugene Regan: Then I will confine my remarks to the budget debate during which I want to speak about the banks.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Apr 2009)

Eugene Regan: I am glad the Leader understands.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Apr 2009)

Eugene Regan: That is not a point of order.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Apr 2009)

Eugene Regan: I support the amendment proposed by Senator Fitzgerald to the Order of Business because the Minister for Finance has some explaining to do. It is very clear from this budget that he is no economist.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Apr 2009)

Eugene Regan: I ask the Leader not to interrupt. It was an accounting exercise and there is no economic thinking underpinning this budget. There is a total emphasis on taxation and no emphasis on value for money, expenditure cuts, cuts in waste or savings made. That is where the Minister has copped out. Senator Mary White essentially invited us to congratulate the Government on the cutbacks. We have...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Apr 2009)

Eugene Regan: ——there will be average growth rates of 2% in 2009. That is the performance and it is still declining. Using the benchmark of those years one can look at every economic indicator, such as export performance, total tax take as a percentage of gross national product and national debt. The Taoiseach, Deputy Cowen, promised before the previous election to eliminate the national debt. With...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Apr 2009)

Eugene Regan: It is the Government that must restore its reputation.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Apr 2009)

Eugene Regan: It was 1994 to 1997.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Apr 2009)

Eugene Regan: On a point of order——

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Apr 2009)

Eugene Regan: It relates to the proceedings.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Apr 2009)

Eugene Regan: The Leader cannot say I spoke about the Government of the 1980s when I specifically talked about the period from 1994 to 1997.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Apr 2009)

Eugene Regan: Please do not misquote me by distorting the facts.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Apr 2009)

Eugene Regan: Some time ago, a debate was held in this House on the Irish Constitution on the occasion of its 75th anniversary. It is worth noting the contributions people have made to that Constitution in the development of personal rights, which has given us a charter that is second to none in the world. I make this point because judges such as the former Supreme Court judge, Séamus Henchy, at...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Apr 2009)

Eugene Regan: I hope this is not an indication of the Government's failure to take the hard and tough decisions that are required.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Apr 2009)

Eugene Regan: However, we await the outcome.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Apr 2009)

Eugene Regan: I agree with Senators O'Toole and Ross regarding the proposals from IBEC to cut social welfare payments. While there is an element of deflation in the economy, its causes are very specific, mainly related to interest rate reductions and oil price decline. This proposal is very divisive and quite nasty. Many people are in a very difficult position in this economic crisis. We are talking...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Apr 2009)

Eugene Regan: I do not understand why we always get into a huff when any international body or agency calls a spade a spade——