Results 13,521-13,540 of 14,090 for speaker:Marc MacSharry

Seanad: Ministerial Pensions: Motion (5 May 2010)

Marc MacSharry: I did not interrupt anybody, nor will I. It has been my policy for eight years not to do so and I will not. I would like to be heard. I would much prefer to have been dealing with important economic issues such as the situation in Greece. I have no interest in pandering to an agenda set by certain elements of the populist media. I quote from an article by John Waters - a good Roscommon...

Seanad: Ministerial Pensions: Motion (5 May 2010)

Marc MacSharry: Yes; as I said at the beginning, it is from an article by John Waters in The Irish Times on 30 April 2010.

Seanad: Ministerial Pensions: Motion (5 May 2010)

Marc MacSharry: He continues: "I don't have a great stomach for the targeting game," Pat Rabbitte on Monday told a broadcaster who is paid several times the Taoiseach's salary. Neither do I. In his Irish Times column on Wednesday, Vincent Browne wondered: if we all had started out on a desert island and were asked to decide on how the wealth "accumulated by our collective efforts" should be distributed, is...

Seanad: Ministerial Pensions: Motion (5 May 2010)

Marc MacSharry: I ask the Acting Chairman to indulge me ever so slightly. I know I am being critical of aspects of the Oireachtas, which people do not like to hear sometimes, but it is all the more necessary. Seven out of ten days is the number of days I clocked in. I would say the person responsible for communications works the statutory 39 hour week. I probably put in 80 or 90 hours last week. I am not...

Seanad: Ministerial Pensions: Motion (5 May 2010)

Marc MacSharry: I am happy to accept whatever austerity measures are needed with the agreement of the Houses of the Oireachtas. I thank Senator Norris for sharing his time with me. It is about time the institutions of the State defended the good work of the institutions of the State.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Apr 2010)

Marc MacSharry: Last weekend, the Irish League of Credit Unions, ILCU, had its annual conference, at which it moved a motion that it intends to discuss with the Government and that I have often raised in the House, namely, to limit the interest rate chargeable by licensed moneylenders. As Members will be aware, there are licensed moneylenders who are charging 187% APR in this jurisdiction or as high as...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Apr 2010)

Marc MacSharry: I welcome recent developments in the Bank of Ireland. Given that the placement was three times oversubscribed, it shows that there is some confidence in the institution. It also shows there is confidence in the role of the State in the continuing rehabilitation of the financial system. This is positive and augurs well for the other institutions as they seek to get their act together in the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Apr 2010)

Marc MacSharry: While I will not support the amendment, will the Leader arrange an urgent debate on banking?

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Apr 2010)

Marc MacSharry: As details are revealed about the recklessness of the regulatory regime over the past number of years, it is normal that people are as angry as they are. Yesterday there were revelations about recklessness within INBS over the past number of years and the regulatory regime during that period allowed such recklessness to take place. It is, therefore, important that we have a debate in order...

Seanad: Banking: Statements (31 Mar 2010)

Marc MacSharry: The events of recent years have been horrific. That was the word used by the Minister for Finance yesterday to describe the figures relating to the banking crisis, the amounts of capital required and the loans which need to be transferred to the National Asset Management Agency. There is no question about that. Senator Twomey referred to the Government's responsibility in this regard. It...

Seanad: Banking: Statements (31 Mar 2010)

Marc MacSharry: Certainly. Professor Philip Lane, professor of international macroeconomics, has a different view. I respect the fact that there is difference on this issue and that it is the function of the Opposition to oppose. One of the nation's strengths, which is acknowledged in international commentary, is the public debate on this issue as we have taken the appropriate actions in recent years....

Seanad: Banking: Statements (31 Mar 2010)

Marc MacSharry: With the benefit of hindsight, I regret that a national and international regulatory regime allowed ourselves, nationally and internationally, to get into the horrifically difficult position in which we find ourselves. All of the people are justifiably angry, not least at the pay-cuts which have been suffered by many families working in the public sector and at the unpalatable nature of the...

Seanad: Banking: Statements (31 Mar 2010)

Marc MacSharry: I have not seen that to the extent I would like. I found it worrying to hear the British Prime Minister suggest at a recent G8 meeting that a fund should be put together to cover losses of this nature when they occur again in the future. We should be providing to ensure these things cannot happen in the future. I know international cross-border regulations are difficult and I do not know...

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Mar 2010)

Marc MacSharry: Like previous speakers, I welcome last night's announcement that agreement had been reached in the pay talks. This is a momentous development, particularly in the light of the problems we have experienced in recent years. It was difficult for those who work in the public sector and their families to sustain the extremely draconian pay cuts imposed. I am pleased that there is now a basis on...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2010 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage. (25 Mar 2010)

Marc MacSharry: While I appreciate there is no recommendation on this section, on Second Stage when the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, was in the House, I made a point which I would like to repeat to the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary. Senator Twomey has proposed a recommendation on section 26. Regarding the 80% windfall tax, while there is no question that we would wish to require...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2010 (Certified Money Bill): Report and Final Stages. (25 Mar 2010)

Marc MacSharry: While the Minister of State may not be able to accept the recommendation, this issue deserves further investigation because certain individuals make a significant financial contribution to the country, even though they may not pay income tax directly. If it is possible through the look-back clause to take account of the days that these people can or cannot spend here, it may be worthwhile....

Seanad: Finance Bill 2010 (Certified Money Bill): Second Stage. (24 Mar 2010)

Marc MacSharry: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2010 (Certified Money Bill): Second Stage. (24 Mar 2010)

Marc MacSharry: I join others in welcoming the Minister. As Members are no doubt aware, the finance Bill provides for implementation of the measures announced in the budget. I am glad to have an opportunity to make some points on it. What has occurred in recent years was unimaginable in terms of the economic downturn, the decisions that have had to be made in recent budgets and the economic measures the...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2010 (Certified Money Bill): Second Stage. (24 Mar 2010)

Marc MacSharry: It was to give credibility to the criticism I was about to make of a policy of the day. I assure the Senator it has nothing to do with nepotism.

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Mar 2010)

Marc MacSharry: Would it be possible for the Leader to arrange an early debate on the retail sector? As everybody is no doubt aware, the retail sector, like many other sectors, is facing a crisis, nowhere more so than in the Border area where the sector is challenged by the different VAT rate in the North, a lower minimum wage and 25% of a differential in the currency exchange rate. In that debate I would...