Results 1,361-1,380 of 3,523 for speaker:Lucinda Creighton

European Council Meeting: Statements (1 Feb 2012)

Lucinda Creighton: There is a lot of positivity but the Deputy is clearly not interested in much of it.

Human Rights Issues (17 Jan 2012)

Lucinda Creighton: The Deputy is referring to the new Hungarian constitution, which came into force on 1 January, its associated cardinal laws and the media law adopted in 2010. While the stated aim of the new constitution - the consolidation of democracy in Hungary - is commendable, aspects of the new constitution and the cardinal laws have given rise to concerns expressed by many parties, including the...

Human Rights Issues (17 Jan 2012)

Lucinda Creighton: It was the Taoiseach.

Human Rights Issues (17 Jan 2012)

Lucinda Creighton: To clarify, it was the Taoiseach, not the Tánaiste, who met with the prime minister. It is the norm that Heads of State would meet. The Tánaiste has had meetings on many occasions with his Hungarian counterpart, as indeed I have. This issue came into particularly sharp focus in the autumn months. The media law was under scrutiny in the earlier part of last year, particularly during the...

Human Rights Issues (17 Jan 2012)

Lucinda Creighton: It must be handled responsibly.

Human Rights Issues (17 Jan 2012)

Lucinda Creighton: Article 258 of the treaty provides for a mechanism whereby the Commission, if it considers that a member state has failed to fulfil an obligation under the treaties, delivers a reasoned opinion on the matter, giving the state the opportunity to send back its observations. It is a two-way process. Obviously, there must be due process and Hungary will have to be afforded a reasonable...

Seanad: Recent Developments in Eurozone and European Council: Statements (16 Dec 2011)

Lucinda Creighton: As I have much to which to respond, I will do so as comprehensively as I can. Moreover, I might be back in the Chamber early in the new year. I will take up the general point on the role of the Seanad. Members will have noted that since last March, the Dáil has been facilitating statements both in advance of, and after, European summits. This is a good model because it allows both...

Seanad: Recent Developments in Eurozone and European Council: Statements (16 Dec 2011)

Lucinda Creighton: There is absolutely no scientific evidence for this figure except that the Senator read it in the Financial Times or somewhere else. It was €1 trillion last week and it is €2 trillion this week.

Seanad: Recent Developments in Eurozone and European Council: Statements (16 Dec 2011)

Lucinda Creighton: The point is that we need to stop putting a figure on it. I would like to see the ECB stating it will put in whatever is necessary and not €1 trillion or €1.5 trillion. Senator Walsh does not know any better than I do whether it is €1 trillion, €2 trillion or €3 trillion.

Seanad: Recent Developments in Eurozone and European Council: Statements (16 Dec 2011)

Lucinda Creighton: Nobody knows. The point is that we must put in place a commitment from the ECB that it will respond in whatever way necessary to ensure we save our currency. We will continue to work towards this position. I have not stopped stating this just because we had a summit which brought us some degree closer to achieving the type of firewall we may need. It does not go all the way. It does not...

Seanad: Recent Developments in Eurozone and European Council: Statements (16 Dec 2011)

Lucinda Creighton: I could make many more points. A number of Senators referred to Europe's social market model, which is a source of pride for us. Consider the main economic models that prevail globally. The US model is more oriented towards the free market, less regulated and less concerned with the social market model. I would rather live in Europe than the US if I wanted to raise a family, grow old or...

Seanad: Recent Developments in Eurozone and European Council: Statements (16 Dec 2011)

Lucinda Creighton: The other major model is the Chinese one, which is not democratic. We cannot aspire to it. Europe is not perfect. None of us is deluded or believes that every decision taken by European leaders should be hailed and feted, but it is by far the best of the available options. We should be proud of it. As to the question of whether we should save the euro, I have immense respect for Senator...

Seanad: Recent Developments in Eurozone and European Council: Statements (16 Dec 2011)

Lucinda Creighton: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach.

Seanad: Recent Developments in Eurozone and European Council: Statements (16 Dec 2011)

Lucinda Creighton: I thank Senators for this invitation to come and have this morning's discussion. As always, I relish the opportunity to engage with the upper House. I thank the Seanad for giving me the opportunity to have this important debate on the outcome of last week's European Council meeting in Brussels. I particularly appreciate the fact that we now have an opportunity to discuss developments in...

Seanad: Recent Developments in Eurozone and European Council: Statements (16 Dec 2011)

Lucinda Creighton: I have no idea. My office would probably be able to furnish a copy to the Senator. I have one humble copy of the speech for myself. I do not come with an entourage of advisers and civil servants.

Seanad: Recent Developments in Eurozone and European Council: Statements (16 Dec 2011)

Lucinda Creighton: I thank Senator Mullen. The European Council also addressed a range of other issues including the need for a complementary focus in Europe on the speedy implementation of measures which will boost growth and jobs; follow-up on the issue of energy, including a review of progress made on delivering the safety stress tests undertaken at nuclear installations across Europe during the course of...

Seanad: Recent Developments in Eurozone and European Council: Statements (16 Dec 2011)

Lucinda Creighton: I think we need to clarify the record.

Seanad: Recent Developments in Eurozone and European Council: Statements (16 Dec 2011)

Lucinda Creighton: That, and Government policy.

Pre-European Council Meeting on 8-9 December: Statements (30 Nov 2011)

Lucinda Creighton: How does the Deputy know that is what it means?

Pre-European Council Meeting on 8-9 December: Statements (30 Nov 2011)

Lucinda Creighton: The Deputy is plucking assumptions from thin air.