Results 1,721-1,740 of 4,465 for speaker:Jim Walsh

Seanad: European Communities (Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Jun 2012)

Jim Walsh: I would like to explore some of the points we raised with the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade yesterday, and to which we did not get answers as he left early, which was unfortunate. I am somewhat sceptical about states becoming involved in the creation of jobs. They have tried that in other countries and failed miserably. It is fundamental for the State to create the...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jun 2012)

Jim Walsh: What is the effect of pro-choice? Pro-abortion. Speak straight.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jun 2012)

Jim Walsh: A distortion of language.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jun 2012)

Jim Walsh: I, too, want to refer to the item raised by Senator Bacik, which has two component parts. First, the billboard campaign and her efforts in censoring them.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jun 2012)

Jim Walsh: It is very liberal for anybody to suggest that. Whether I agree with the structure of the billboards or not, I defend the right to have them. It is interesting that those who oppose it will be on the other side of the argument. I listened to the debate and Senator Ó Murchú rightly mentioned forced abortion. Many people in the House have paid tribute to Chen Guangcheng for his strong...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jun 2012)

Jim Walsh: In my opinion those images are equally abhorrent. I ask anybody that is pro-abortion or pro-choice to explain the difference to me and whether it is moral or ethical. There were changes made at a very late stage to the composition of the expert group that has raised serious suspicions and we need to debate this important issue in the House. There are well-known abortion advocates on the...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jun 2012)

Jim Walsh: Some Members tend to hide behind subterfuge. Let us call it abortion and not pro-choice because that is exactly what it is.

Seanad: European Communities (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (26 Jun 2012)

Jim Walsh: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire go dtí an Teach chun an Bille tábhachtach seo, Bille na gComhphobal Eorpach (Leasú) 2012 a phlé. The Bill has four component parts and I shall deal briefly with each of the instruments mentioned. The first, as the Tánaiste pointed out, deals with the increase in the number of MEPs from 736, I think, to 751. I do not welcome such a move because the European...

Seanad: European Stability Mechanism Bill 2012: Second Stage (26 Jun 2012)

Jim Walsh: I welcome the Minister of State and the Bill he has introduced. It is unfortunate this Bill marks another small step when giant steps are needed to address Europe's economic problems. It has not reassured the markets and one wonders what ultimate policy initiatives will achieve that end. I spoke informally to someone earlier and I predict that it will happen in approximately 2020 when it...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jun 2012)

Jim Walsh: Will the Leader consider rolling debates on the economic situation? This morning, I was alarmed to see an economist is predicting Ireland will slip back into recession. Any reasonable person would conclude that we are facing stagnation in the medium term. When the crisis broke there was much identification of the procyclical policies which gave rise to the depth of the economic crisis,...

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jun 2012)

Jim Walsh: Today is a red letter day for the Seanad, not so much because the Government was defeated on two votes, but because it has exposed a trend I have detected in the lower House over the past 13 or 14 months. I am reminded of a statement made in the lower House in 1934 which is worth putting on the record as it is symptomatic of what is happening here. The direct quotation is as follows: "......

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jun 2012)

Jim Walsh: Where John A. Costello failed-----

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jun 2012)

Jim Walsh: -----the Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny, is endeavouring to succeed. The dismantling of our democratic institutions is a matter of grave concern-----

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jun 2012)

Jim Walsh: -----not to these Houses, but to the country at large.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jun 2012)

Jim Walsh: The muzzling of the Fine Gael Senators was symptomatic of an intention which is-----

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jun 2012)

Jim Walsh: -----adverse to the interests of the Irish people. The people need to be cautious.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jun 2012)

Jim Walsh: I call on the Leader for a debate on the appalling report on the number of children who have lost their lives in the care of the HSE. Other Senators have referred to the matter and it is appropriate for the Minister to be in the House to address it. Some 90% of the abuse cases come under the remit of the health services. It is important that they are fit for purpose and it is appropriate...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jun 2012)

Jim Walsh: Perhaps I stand alone, but I welcome the leaks. It is important that such information be in the public domain. The report clearly states that public service pay is too high and unsustainable, as everyone knows, and that reducing it, especially at the top levels, would be preferable to reducing numbers and affecting the delivery of services. This is common sense. The information should...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jun 2012)

Jim Walsh: These Houses are meant to debate difficult issues and different opinions. I feel strongly on this matter and I am seeking a debate with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, even though there has been no reform. According to recent information, taxation receipts have increased dramatically in the past five months, but our expenditure has exceeded targets by 3.6%. Between 2009 and...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jun 2012)

Jim Walsh: No Minister takes competitiveness seriously. We need a firm debate on the issue. We need to reduce our economy's costs. For years, I have referred to the scandal that is legal fees, yet nothing has been done to arrest that situation.