Results 18,501-18,520 of 23,109 for speaker:Paddy Burke

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Nov 2009)

Paddy Burke: They have looked at it already.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2009)

Paddy Burke: I agree with Senator Harris's remark that the level of personal debt is very serious. Why can we not put pressure on the banks to extend mortgage terms to 50 years or 60 years? In some countries, 40-year or 45-year mortgages are offered. I do not understand why we cannot offer them here. The Taoiseach stated the Government, when formulating the budget, will consider areas it would not...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2009)

Paddy Burke: Not only are the fees being charged but the Government is paying Ernst & Young to analyse a banking institution that is defunct. The Leader should bring this to the attention of the Minister for Finance as a matter of urgency because the nation cannot afford such fees. The subject of fees arose in the past in respect of tribunals but yet again we are overpaying fat cats.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Nov 2009)

Paddy Burke: I welcome the Minister for Defence, Deputy O'Dea. We are dealing with Committee Stage (resumed) of the National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009. We are on section 208, amendment No. 61a in the names of Senators O'Toole and Ross. Senator O'Toole was in possession.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Nov 2009)

Paddy Burke: We are dealing with amendment No. 63.

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (10 Nov 2009)

Paddy Burke: I call on the Leader of the House.

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (10 Nov 2009)

Paddy Burke: Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Nov 2009)

Paddy Burke: I remind Senators that we have spent more than two hours on this group of amendments.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Committee Stage (10 Nov 2009)

Paddy Burke: These amendments relate to oversight, scrutiny and credit flows. Senators are concerned and quite rightly so. I am glad the Minister stated that the buck will stop with him but several other Ministers also said that on previous occasions. I take it that he was serious in what he said. There is a great deal of secrecy in the Bill. There will be many reports submitted to the Minister for...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Committee Stage (10 Nov 2009)

Paddy Burke: Would Senator Norris like to make a further contribution?

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Committee Stage (10 Nov 2009)

Paddy Burke: If an amendment on the matter has been tabled we should not be discussing it now.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Nov 2009)

Paddy Burke: I support Senator Harris's comments. I came to the House to ask the Leader for a debate on the HSE which has been up and running for the past five or six years. It is time, therefore, to have a full debate on its efficiency, how it still overlaps with local authorities and so forth. The best Seanad was that during the term of office of the Fine Gael-Labour Party Government from 1995 to 1997.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Nov 2009)

Paddy Burke: The Government party was in a minority and had to deal with Independent Senators to pass Bills and they extracted a price. This House was held to account and Ministers had to listen to it. One of the problems in this Seanad is that Ministers cannot get out of the House fast enough. They will not listen and whatever is said will not be taken further. Senator Harris holds the balance of...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Nov 2009)

Paddy Burke: I asked for a debate on the Health Service Executive.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Committee Stage (10 Nov 2009)

Paddy Burke: Amendment No. 1 in the names of Senators Alex White, McCarthy, Ryan, Prendergast, Bacik and Hannigan is a new section. Amendments Nos. 1, 2, 31, 37, 38, 52 and 64 are related and can be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Nov 2009)

Paddy Burke: I welcome the Minister. When he comes to the House he gives us plenty of his time. That was the case when he came in September and he is doing so again on this occasion. It is right that he would do so because this is important legislation, probably the most important that has ever come before the Oireachtas. I take issue with the Minister's very good friend, Senator Callely, who suggested...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Nov 2009)

Paddy Burke: The Minister, without interruption, please.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Nov 2009)

Paddy Burke: The Minister, without interruption.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Nov 2009)

Paddy Burke: The Minister, without interruption, please.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Nov 2009)

Paddy Burke: That is not a point of order. The Minister, without interruption, please.