Results 13,401-13,420 of 14,090 for speaker:Marc MacSharry
- Seanad: Order of Business (14 Dec 2010)
Marc MacSharry: I am relieved that the disgraceful suggestion that bonuses be paid to bank staff has not materialised. I would welcome a general debate on the banks. Considering the level of support we are affording them to keep going, it would be appropriate to ask whether salary levels throughout the banks are appropriate. While we have managed to limit the pay of top executives and ensure the...
- Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2010)
Marc MacSharry: As the country comes to terms with a very difficult budget, I want to raise an issue that I have spoken on many times, namely, the maximum chargeable interest rate for loans. Licensed money lenders in this State can legally charge extortionate rates of 187%, and as people try honestly and in a resilient fashion to make the adjustments the budget demands of them, they may well seek to resort...
- Seanad: Budget Statement 2011: Statements (8 Dec 2010)
Marc MacSharry: I join others in welcoming the Minister of State and am glad of the opportunity to make a few points on yesterday's budget. No one would set out willingly to introduce a budget such as this and many of its measures are regrettable in the context of the reductions people will have to take. In the history of the State, no Administration, apart from the last two or three, it is worth noting,...
- Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2010)
Marc MacSharry: As Members have mentioned, it is budget day. I look forward to the debate tomorrow when we will have an opportunity to discuss the measures and to express the hope that today's announcement will be fair and, to the maximum extent possible, that it will protect the most vulnerable in society. In that context if it is so deemed that higher sections of the public services or the semi-State...
- Seanad: EU-IMF Programme for Ireland: Statements (2 Dec 2010)
Marc MacSharry: Next Tuesday at 12 noon.
- Seanad: EU-IMF Programme for Ireland: Statements (2 Dec 2010)
Marc MacSharry: I welcome the Minister of State for what is now our almost daily debate on economic matters. I suppose it is appropriate that we are engaging in such a debate, particularly in the light of the seriousness of the scenario. The Minister of State provided a detailed outline of the specifics relating to the documents in their current form. It is expected that the substance of both documents...
- Seanad: Order of Business (2 Dec 2010)
Marc MacSharry: On the issue of the Central Bank report, it is shameful in the extreme that bonuses are being presided over at this time. We all find that shocking. On the issue of remuneration, I have said many times previously that the salaries of those in the public sector earning over a certain threshold - not the less well off but those who are higher paid - need to be examined. This also applies to...
- Seanad: Health Services (30 Nov 2010)
Marc MacSharry: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. This motion asks the Minister for Health and Children to ensure adequate funds are made available to Sligo General Hospital for the operation of a bus bringing patients for cancer treatment to University College Hospital Galway, UCHG, from the â¬750,000 fund announced as ring-fenced for such purposes by Professor Tom Keane. The Minister of State...
- Seanad: Health Services (30 Nov 2010)
Marc MacSharry: The Minister of State referred to various improvements that have been made. The issue of follow-up mammography at Sligo General Hospital has not been addressed. I ask that action be taken in this regard. The Minister of State indicated the Minister is requesting as a matter of urgency that the issue of funding for the bus from Sligo to University College Hospital Galway be resolved in the...
- Seanad: Business of Seanad (30 Nov 2010)
Marc MacSharry: I propose we suspend the House until 5.30 p.m.
- Seanad: National Recovery Plan 2011-2014: Motion (30 Nov 2010)
Marc MacSharry: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Seanad Ãireann" and substitute the following: "endorses the National Recovery Plan as a strategy for economic recovery with the aim of restoring stability to the public finances, improving Ireland's cost competitiveness, stimulating enterprise growth and job creation. And in particular: supports the competitiveness and growth initiatives...
- Seanad: National Recovery Plan 2011-2014: Motion (30 Nov 2010)
Marc MacSharry: Equally, one wonders why on Sunday we had to listen to Deputy Rabbitte pontificate about a huge derivatives problem in the banks which we have not heard a word about since but which would only serve to scare the living daylights out of anyone who was listening to "This Week" on Sunday.
- Seanad: National Recovery Plan 2011-2014: Motion (30 Nov 2010)
Marc MacSharry: It is a legitimate point to make. While it is perfectly legitimate to play the ball and criticise the Minister of the day for the policy that is to be implemented, in this environment one must not deny the resilience of this great nation, its people and their ability to overcome the challenges that have been presented to them. It is worth noting that in the depths of this serious crisis,...
- Seanad: National Recovery Plan 2011-2014: Statements (24 Nov 2010)
Marc MacSharry: At 10.30 tomorrow morning.
- Seanad: National Recovery Plan 2011-2014: Statements (24 Nov 2010)
Marc MacSharry: I join others in welcoming the Minister of State to the House for what seems like his fortnightly visits. I welcome the publication of the four year plan, The National Recovery Plan 2011-2014. There is no question but there are positive points in it. Notwithstanding that, it is unlikely to receive accolades from the vested interest groups. In any economic context no one would try to...
- Seanad: National Recovery Plan 2011-2014: Statements (24 Nov 2010)
Marc MacSharry: That was wrong. I hope the measures and reductions envisaged are targeted to ensure we will protect those genuinely dependent on social welfare and encourage those who have opted to remain on it for lifestyle dependency reasons to return to the workforce to the extent that employment is available. I am not saying it is endemic among all those who are unemployed, but there is some scope for...
- Seanad: National Recovery Plan 2011-2014: Statements (24 Nov 2010)
Marc MacSharry: Tomorrow.
- Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Second Stage (24 Nov 2010)
Marc MacSharry: I thank Senator Mooney for sharing time. I share many of the concerns of others. If we learn anything from the economic crisis, it is that one size does not fit all. While it is idealistically admirable that we should seek to replicate laws throughout the EU and that has many positives, the transposition of this directive in different countries has proven one size does not suit all. I hope...
- Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2010)
Marc MacSharry: Senator Donohoe must not have watched "Tonight with Vincent Browne" last night. I agree wholeheartedly with his analysis. I will not take my lead from the celebrity economists who vie for positions on such shows. The tragedy of the Houses of the Oireachtas during the eight years I have been a Member has been that for far too long the agenda has been set by the media. It was set by the...
- Seanad: Order of Business (23 Nov 2010)
Marc MacSharry: Some 18 Senators have spoken and none has yet called for a debate. That is testament to how sadly we have done our business here over the years in that we have exclusively focused on reacting to situations, on the blame game and on what was done incorrectly as opposed to what could and should be done correctly. In whatever time is left that is of use to this House, I agree with Senator Ross...