Results 1,041-1,060 of 1,591 for speaker:Eugene Regan

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Dec 2008)

Eugene Regan: We had a situation last week relating to specific items concerning EU legislation which were taken with and without debate. Confusion arose as to what was agreed, as if what was suggested was determinative of the Order of Business on the subsequent Thursday. The Leader must be more clear on what exactly is being agreed. In my understanding, we are agreeing the Order of Business of today...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Dec 2008)

Eugene Regan: On the Comhltas Ceoltóirí Eireann issue, I welcome the fact that Comhltas is being supported by the Government. The role it plays in preserving the culture of traditional Irish music is important, and I compliment Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú on his work in the area. As Senator O'Toole said, that issue should not get in the way of the critique of the cutbacks in the summer school grants. ...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2008)

Eugene Regan: The tax receipts for November show a €3 billion shortfall compared to that estimated in the budget. What it shows is that not only is the budget of 2008 out of date but also the budget for 2009. The response of the Minister and the Government has been to wait for the December Exchequer returns and to establish "an bord snip nua", the cost-cutting committee. The point has been made by...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2008)

Eugene Regan: It is a cop out. There are at least 100 people involved in different Departments in preparing the Estimates for 2009 and the 2010 budget. It will take all of next year for these part-time experts to advise the Government on what decisions it should be taking. The fact is we need instant, decisive action and the response is entirely inadequate. What this highlights is that the 2009 budget...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2008)

Eugene Regan: The reality is that this is an important national decision which will involve all political parties and many other interests and sectoral groups. To make these decisions without debate or consultation in these Houses is entirely inappropriate. There is one consideration I would put to the Leader and ask that he put it to the Taoiseach. One of the unique selling points of the Lisbon treaty...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2008)

Eugene Regan: That does not answer my question.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Dec 2008)

Eugene Regan: I refer to the schedule for the week and the motion re the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, back from committee, to be taken without debate. We had a discussion on this last Tuesday in respect of a framework decision on terrorism. I pointed out the unsatisfactory nature of introducing a matter concerning EU legislation without debate in this House, referring to a committee and it...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

Eugene Regan: It is always good when a governor from the United States comes to the House and I welcome the Governor of Montana today. Is there any indication of when the Governor of Alaska might visit the House?

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

Eugene Regan: If Sarah Palin does visit it might be appropriate that it would be when we have the debate on hand gun legislation, which I believe the Minister will put before the Oireachtas. We have had an initiative from the Irish-led Mallabraca consortium to recapitalise Irish banks, which lacked credibility and does not appear to be going anywhere. There is a headline in The Irish Times today, "New...

Seanad: Council Framework Decision on Combating Terrorism: Motion (27 Nov 2008)

Eugene Regan: On a point of order——

Seanad: Council Framework Decision on Combating Terrorism: Motion (27 Nov 2008)

Eugene Regan: When I asked the question on Tuesday, I specifically highlighted that the House was passing motions without debate and that these were being passed in committee without debate before being referred back to the House, again to be taken without debate.

Seanad: Council Framework Decision on Combating Terrorism: Motion (27 Nov 2008)

Eugene Regan: The Leader gave a firm commitment.

Seanad: Council Framework Decision on Combating Terrorism: Motion (27 Nov 2008)

Eugene Regan: On Tuesday the Leader expressly stated the motion would be taken with debate on Thursday. It is not a question of a typographical error but a commitment the Leader gave.

Seanad: Council Framework Decision on Combating Terrorism: Motion (27 Nov 2008)

Eugene Regan: A dispute has arisen on the Order of Business.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

Eugene Regan: I quoted from it last night.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2008)

Eugene Regan: The lesson from the FÁS debacle is a lesson for the Government. It is the issue of value for money. Although he reversed his opinion yesterday, the Taoiseach, in standing by the expenditure initially, shows he has not appreciated the issue of value for money. The lesson for him and the Government is to stop paying lip service to the issue. They must stop commissioning new reports and...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Nov 2008)

Eugene Regan: I support Senator O'Toole's statement on hand guns. It is not clear what the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform is proposing. He has intimated some restrictions on legally held hand guns and it would be useful if he came into the House and explained precisely what he proposes to do in this area. The use of hand guns and pistol shooting is a big sport in this country. It is a...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Nov 2008)

Eugene Regan: The Taoiseach, in his unequivocal support, is also out of touch. On the subject of friends of Fianna Fáil and the Taoiseach, when we introduced the emergency legislation to deal with the bank crisis, it was emphatically stated by the Minister for Finance and the Government that the issue of the recapitalisation of banks did not arise. Then it was subject to analysis and it was suggested...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Nov 2008)

Eugene Regan: This pertains to a request for the Minister to come to the House for a debate on the economy. Why is this matter so urgent and why is there a particular focus on the Bank of Ireland currently? Is Deputy Bertie Ahern getting a finder's fee for facilitating the introduction of the private equity firms to the Minister for Finance with regard to the recapitalisation of the banks? That is a...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Nov 2008)

Eugene Regan: It is a legitimate question.