Results 1,361-1,380 of 1,591 for speaker:Eugene Regan

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Apr 2008)

Eugene Regan: Intentionally.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Apr 2008)

Eugene Regan: I used the word "corrupt" intentionally and I do not intend to withdraw the remark. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, denied former Taoiseach, Charles Haughey, was a corrupt politician.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Apr 2008)

Eugene Regan: That is fine. I use that term because using political office to secure moneys for personal use is, in any western democracy, corruption. I challenge anyone to deny that. The Government is in denial about the economy. The remarks made this morning prove this. Former Taoiseach, Dr. Garret FitzGerald reduced inflation during the years 1981 to 1987 from 20.4% to 3.1%.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Apr 2008)

Eugene Regan: He had to make painful political decisions.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Apr 2008)

Eugene Regan: Uncontrolled Government expenditure of the Haughey years was brought under control.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Apr 2008)

Eugene Regan: This was followed by the Tallaght strategy introduced by former Deputy Alan Dukes. We then had, from 1994 to 1997, a Government led by former Deputy John Bruton with Deputy Ruairí Quinn as Minister for Finance. These are facts Fianna Fáil and the Government do not want to face up to. We had growth rates of 8%, on average——

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Apr 2008)

Eugene Regan: I am calling for an honest debate. We have heard remarks about the economy——

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Apr 2008)

Eugene Regan: I take the Cathaoirleach's point. I am entitled to establish the basis upon which the debate is needed. Currently, we have a growth rate of 1.8%, the lowest since the 1980s, inflation is at 4.8%, unemployment levels are at their highest in a decade and we have a current account deficit of €10 billion, the highest in the history of the State. We can blame international factors for much of...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Apr 2008)

Eugene Regan: Management of the economy is what we need to discuss.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Apr 2008)

Eugene Regan: We cannot blame the international situation for management of our public finances.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Apr 2008)

Eugene Regan: Our public finances are out of control. We have a budgeted deficit of €5 billion and we are exceeding that already.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Apr 2008)

Eugene Regan: I wish the Taoiseach designate, Deputy Brian Cowen, well in tackling this economic mess as the Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern, leaves office. It is a mess that contrasts so sharply with the state of the economy when former Taoisigh Dr. Garret FitzGerald and John Bruton left office.

Seanad: Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Second Stage (9 Apr 2008)

Eugene Regan: I thank the Minister for his comprehensive outline of the Bill. It has been a long time in production and was promised by the last Government before the general election. The Bill tidies a number of legislative measures and includes some significant innovations. In general, however, many of the changes are technical and raise no particular difficulties. The most significant is probably...

Seanad: Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Second Stage (9 Apr 2008)

Eugene Regan: I apologise.

Seanad: Lisbon Reform Treaty: Statements (8 Apr 2008)

Eugene Regan: I thank the Minister of State for coming again to the House to discuss the Lisbon treaty. I compliment him on his energy and determination in pursuing a vigorous campaign to have the treaty passed in a referendum. The important lesson we have learned from the Nice treaty referendums is that we do not want domestic political issues clouding the decision. We want the treaties to be judged on...

Seanad: Lisbon Reform Treaty: Statements (8 Apr 2008)

Eugene Regan: I believe we should have a referendum. That is not the issue and therefore the Senator has missed the point.

Seanad: Lisbon Reform Treaty: Statements (8 Apr 2008)

Eugene Regan: Yes, but it is politically desirable.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Apr 2008)

Eugene Regan: I second the amendment moved by Senator Fitzgerald, which asks the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to address the House on organised crime. We moved a Private Members' motion late last year on the same subject. The Minister came to the House and essentially said that all is well and under control. As we stated on that occasion, these were polite meaningless words. He did not...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Apr 2008)

Eugene Regan: In respect of what a number of Senators have referred to across the House, it was a sad day last week when the Taoiseach resigned. It is a sad day for this country when a Taoiseach resigns in disgrace and is forced to leave office. It has happened before with another Fianna Fáil Taoiseach, Charles Haughey. It has reflected on us——

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Apr 2008)

Eugene Regan: The points have been made across the floor. The fact is that there is unfinished business in this House in respect of the standards we set for ourselves. What are the standards by which politicians can receive money for personal use? We have never addressed that issue, which I raised on my first day in this House. There is business to be finished in Dublin Castle. It has reflected very...