Results 1,621-1,640 of 4,465 for speaker:Jim Walsh

Seanad: Public Expenditure and Reform: Statements (8 Nov 2012)

Jim Walsh: I am the one Member here who has consistently asked for the Minister to come to the House to talk about fundamental issues that concern the people.

Seanad: Public Expenditure and Reform: Statements (8 Nov 2012)

Jim Walsh: It is a sad reflection on Fine Gael and the Labour Party that they try to muzzle the Opposition. That is not the way democracy works.

Seanad: Public Expenditure and Reform: Statements (8 Nov 2012)

Jim Walsh: I ask the Senator to withdraw that comment. His statement is not true.

Seanad: Public Expenditure and Reform: Statements (8 Nov 2012)

Jim Walsh: I ask Senator John Gilroy to withdraw his comment and ask the Cathaoirlech to ask him to do so.

Seanad: Public Expenditure and Reform: Statements (8 Nov 2012)

Jim Walsh: Does the Minister agree that gross public expenditure only reduced by less than 3% between 2008 and 2012? Does he agree that capital expenditure during the same period has reduced by almost 50% or ¤4.3 billion? Does he agree that, based on Department of Finance figures, there have been between 43,000 and 75,000 job losses as a consequence of the reduction in the capital expenditure, which...

Seanad: Public Expenditure and Reform: Statements (8 Nov 2012)

Jim Walsh: The late Deputy Brian Lenihan, as Minister, introduced benchmarking in October 2010. It was to be based on counterparts in EU countries. What has happened to that? On pensions, is it sustainable-----

Seanad: Public Expenditure and Reform: Statements (8 Nov 2012)

Jim Walsh: I will continue.

Seanad: Public Expenditure and Reform: Statements (8 Nov 2012)

Jim Walsh: Does the Minister agree that public service pensions are unsustainable?

Seanad: Public Expenditure and Reform: Statements (8 Nov 2012)

Jim Walsh: Are there actuarial projections being done in that regard?

Seanad: Public Expenditure and Reform: Statements (8 Nov 2012)

Jim Walsh: Can I ask whether the Minister has done anything-----

Seanad: Public Expenditure and Reform: Statements (8 Nov 2012)

Jim Walsh: ----- with regard to considering moving pensions to defined contribution schemes as distinct from defined benefit schemes?

Seanad: Public Expenditure and Reform: Statements (8 Nov 2012)

Jim Walsh: Could I ask about new recruits?

Seanad: Public Expenditure and Reform: Statements (8 Nov 2012)

Jim Walsh: Staff are being recruited on a 30% lower salary. What is the position on those staff?

Seanad: Public Expenditure and Reform: Statements (8 Nov 2012)

Jim Walsh: Are the new salaries appropriate for the positions? Does the Minister agree that if we do not proceed with that-----

Seanad: Public Expenditure and Reform: Statements (8 Nov 2012)

Jim Walsh: Like the Minister did when he was in opposition.

Seanad: Public Expenditure and Reform: Statements (8 Nov 2012)

Jim Walsh: That is not comparable. The bank debt.

Seanad: Public Expenditure and Reform: Statements (8 Nov 2012)

Jim Walsh: What are they?

Seanad: Public Expenditure and Reform: Statements (8 Nov 2012)

Jim Walsh: No, the Senator is not independent.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Oct 2012)

Jim Walsh: I am sure there was some discussion yesterday regarding the costs attaching to pension funds and the deterrent they are to people investing in them. There is also speculation regarding changes that might be made in the forthcoming budget. Will the Leader arrange a debate on pensions? It is extraordinary that less than 50% of people have occupational pensions. Given the change in...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Sugar Beet Industry (18 Oct 2012)

Jim Walsh: I have referred to the Personal Insolvency Bill on a regular basis since the recess. It will be one of the most important Bills to come before the House. More than one in five mortgages are in distress. I am disturbed that the Government is not providing information on how the Bill was designed. Following the publication of the draft heads in January, Simon Carswell of The Irish Times...