Results 1,961-1,980 of 4,465 for speaker:Jim Walsh

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2012)

Jim Walsh: So it will be possible to move it again next week if we are not satisfied.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2012)

Jim Walsh: I will withdraw the amendment in the interests of getting all-party agreement on this issue. It is to be hoped all parties can come together and agree a wording acceptable to all.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Feb 2012)

Jim Walsh: I welcome the undertaking by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, to review the allowances that are paid across the public service. I recall being invited to a meeting of representative of one of the teachers' unions in Wexford at the time the crisis first emerged. When I queried the attendees on aspects of the issues they were discussing, I discovered that...

Seanad: Proposed Bankruptcy Legislation (26 Jan 2012)

Jim Walsh: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit go dtí an Teach. I drafted my Adjournment matter about two weeks ago but it has been overtaken by events yesterday. In that regard, I welcome the publication of the heads of the Bill to deal with this fairly intractable problem. The 12 year bankruptcy provisions we have are the most onerous in the EU and are very punitive. They apply to a different...

Seanad: Proposed Bankruptcy Legislation (26 Jan 2012)

Jim Walsh: I thank the Minister of State for her reply. I am pleased with it. Many people are suffering as a consequence of the financial circumstances in which they have found themselves. Many people have committed suicide. There is a need for urgency in this respect. I welcome the Minister of State's comments in that regard. She did not mention anything about the debt resolution agency. I urge...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2012)

Jim Walsh: At an increased interest rate.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jan 2012)

Jim Walsh: Will the Deputy Leader invite the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, to the House as soon as possible? I understand he and his colleague, the Minister for Finance, are giving a press conference this morning on the details of the fifth EU-IMF report. The Irish Times reports today that the issue of public service increments has been totally dismissed by the...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jan 2012)

Jim Walsh: As others have said, a good meeting was held this morning organised by the Library and Research Service, together with the Central Statistics Office. The entire economic remit was covered, particularly statistics from the CSO. Senator Crown articulated well one of the issues affecting the pharmaceuticals sector in that seven of the ten major drugs on which we rely heavily in terms of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jan 2012)

Jim Walsh: I ask the Leader to arrange a relatively early debate in this session with regard to NAMA. While NAMA is now a very important functionary of the State, some recent reports give rise to an element of concern which should give rise to caution. I refer to a report concerning the Durkan group, which recently claimed that because of a lack of commercial engagement by NAMA, the group decided to...

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

Jim Walsh: We need €2 trillion.

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

Jim Walsh: The fact is that it must be rolled over next year in the four countries mentioned.

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

Jim Walsh: I did not say that.

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

Jim Walsh: I thank Senator Leyden for sharing time and I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Bradford, to the House.

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

Jim Walsh: Only for the fact that it is Christmas, the season of goodwill, I would be more scathing about this debate. If we look back to last Christmas, there were people alive who are no longer alive as they have committed suicide because of the economic crisis and personal pressures. The failure of the political system, domestically over the past few years and at European level, is highly...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (15 Dec 2011)

Jim Walsh: This is the first time in my 14 years in this Chamber that the debate on the Social Welfare Bill has been guillotined. If the Labour Party and Fine Gael believe this is the way to deal with the interests of the underprivileged and people who are suffering, let it be on their own heads. This is nothing short of disgraceful.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (15 Dec 2011)

Jim Walsh: I am alarmed to hear the Leas-Chathaoirleach say the debate could be curtailed at 5 p.m. I agree with Senator Gilroy, as I have done many times, that constructive comments on this are very useful for the Minister and the Cabinet. Our comments will be of assistance to her in future difficulties and if the debate on the Bill is guillotined, it would be a disgrace and a shame on those who...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (15 Dec 2011)

Jim Walsh: It will increase to 520 contributions in two years.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (15 Dec 2011)

Jim Walsh: Has it been reduced?

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (15 Dec 2011)

Jim Walsh: I accept that. I only mention it in passing. The point has been well made by others that child benefit is an important component in ensuring families can achieve some level of sustenance in their livelihoods. A reduction would particularly affect those families with a greater number of children because in many cases, if not consistently, the mother is excluded from participating in the...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (15 Dec 2011)

Jim Walsh: I appeal to her to stand up for those in need and the underprivileged. If she does, I will be the first of many on this side of the House to commend for it.