Results 161-180 of 1,591 for speaker:Eugene Regan

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Feb 2008)

Eugene Regan: I have asked twice for a debate on the Lisbon treaty. Last week, I raised the issue of the date for the referendum on the treaty. The debate is important because the treaty is important to the country. We must rule out the scare tactics, personalised attacks and accusations of misinformation that have been to the fore to date. By having a debate in the House, we could put our stamp on the...

Seanad: Economic Outlook: Motion (20 Feb 2008)

Eugene Regan: I thank the Minister of State for his contribution on the amendment. It is unfortunate the motion tabled by Fine Gael, all of which was positive and pinpointed some of the key areas that must be addressed, should be met with a rebuttal without any real engagement in the Chamber on the issues raised in the motion. In an article in a recent publication, Ireland's Economic Success: Reasons and...

Seanad: Civil Marriage: Motion (27 Feb 2008)

Eugene Regan: I thank the Minister for his brief contribution and for his commitment in respect of the date on which the Bill will be introduced.

Seanad: Civil Marriage: Motion (27 Feb 2008)

Eugene Regan: Similar commitments were made on previous occasions. I understand the motivation behind Senator Norris's original motion. I share the sentiments expressed. The Senator's action is born out of frustration at the lack of action on the part of the Government in respect of progressing this matter. I am somewhat concerned, therefore, regarding when the civil partnership Bill will be introduced....

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Feb 2008)

Eugene Regan: I add my voice to those of Senators, including the Leader, who expressed confidence yesterday in the independence of the Mahon tribunal. The tribunal has treated each witness in equal terms and no special provision has been made for the Taoiseach or any witness although the tribunal has been intimidated in that regard. I also commend the tribunal's professionalism in unearthing new secret...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Feb 2008)

Eugene Regan: I know I should respect my betters so I will defer to the Cathaoirleach. It appears from newspaper reports today that the Taoiseach is putting it up to the Tánaiste, Deputy Cowen, to show unqualified support. Will the Leader clarify that the Tánaiste's support is unqualified in respect of questions arising from the Mahon tribunal?

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2008)

Eugene Regan: I concur with what Senator Fitzgerald said on Deputy John Cregan's letter to The Irish Times as Chairman of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. We like debate and need debate on these important issues. However the fundamental criticism is of the suggestion that his letter has the endorsement of the committee.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2008)

Eugene Regan: That provoked some speakers and I am interested that Senator Harris found his voice. I was confused as to his position on the Taoiseach and the Mahon tribunal, although an article in last Sunday's national newspaper gave some indication in a panegyric about statues being erected in Belfast and Dublin to the Taoiseach. This is based on a dangerous myth with dangerous consequences because it...

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2008)

Eugene Regan: I am speaking on the Order of Business.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2008)

Eugene Regan: The Taoiseach is not solely responsible for the peace process and the Celtic tiger. He is not the only Taoiseach who spoke to the joint Houses of the US Congress, as the Government attempted to present it some time ago. That myth leads Senator Harris and the Deputy of the Lower House to suggest the Taoiseach should be exempt from any investigation or inquiry.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2008)

Eugene Regan: I have one last point, and this is where I disagree with Deputy Cregan and Senator Harris. The evidence last Friday week was devastating.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2008)

Eugene Regan: Fianna Fáil, as reported in the newspaper for which Senator Harris writes——

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2008)

Eugene Regan: It was devastating to the Taoiseach and that is an important consideration when Senator Harris tries to air-brush the story.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2008)

Eugene Regan: The Mahon tribunal is fundamental to restoring confidence in Irish democracy.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Mar 2008)

Eugene Regan: In today's edition of The Irish Times, Vincent Browne has an article titled "Gobbledegook and the case against Lisbon Treaty". His argument is that the treaty is difficult to understand because the compendium version of the treaties, including the amendments, is not available. His argument is ill-informed and quite ridiculous. All the information is available. We have had referenda on the...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Mar 2008)

Eugene Regan: The second part of a documentary on Frank Shortt on RTE last night showed how the Morris tribunal exposed perjury by two detectives in this case. Will the Leader refer the matter to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform? Perjury is a criminal offence but when are people prosecuted for it? Truth in the Dáil is essential to democracy, and in the courts and tribunals to the...

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Eugene Regan: I move amendment No. 1: In page 7, lines 1 and 2, to delete all words from and including "except" in line 1 down to and including "implication)" in line 2.

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Eugene Regan: This amendment reflects a concern I expressed on Committee Stage. The Minister indicated at the time that it is a question of the retrospective nature of the legislation. Section 3(2) currently states: A provision of this Act shall not affect the operation of the general law in relation to defamation, in force immediately before its commencement, except to the extent that that provision...

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Eugene Regan: Yes.

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Eugene Regan: I thank the Minister for that clarification.