Results 141-160 of 1,591 for speaker:Eugene Regan

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2010)

Eugene Regan: When we are looking for consensus in this House the one important thing is that we do not get lectures from the Government benches on the economy and the public finances because it is the Government which is totally responsible for the mess and economic crisis we are in. It should be acknowledged that a fair measure of consensus has been reached to date. There is acceptance on the need to...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2010)

Eugene Regan: It is the Green Party's definition.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2010)

Eugene Regan: Seán Lemass, on 21 March 1928 in the Dáil said Fianna Fáil was a slightly constitutional party and once again the party lives up to its slightly constitutional reputation. On the one hand it says it has a constitutional imperative to introduce a law on blasphemy which nobody wanted and yet at the same time it could subvert the Constitution and the democratic process by refusing to hold...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2010)

Eugene Regan: The cost of borrowing increased again.

Seanad: Overcrowding in Prisons: Statements (3 Nov 2010)

Eugene Regan: -----and a rush to acquire a site when various other locations within existing prisons could have been availed of, the inspector states he is conscious that the intention is that the new prison will replace Mountjoy Prison and that it might be considered understandable that in the interim little has been done at Mountjoy Prison, but this cannot be taken as an excuse for denying prisoners...

Seanad: Overcrowding in Prisons: Statements (3 Nov 2010)

Eugene Regan: Therefore, we can end the debate now.

Seanad: Overcrowding in Prisons: Statements (3 Nov 2010)

Eugene Regan: The Minister is not prepared to listen.

Seanad: Overcrowding in Prisons: Statements (3 Nov 2010)

Eugene Regan: We would not want gangland criminals to be rounded up; that would be terrible.

Seanad: Overcrowding in Prisons: Statements (3 Nov 2010)

Eugene Regan: I thank the Minister for his comprehensive statement on overcrowding in our prisons. He paints a rosy picture. It is one of utopia in which everything is okay, the Government has done everything necessary and there is no basis for any criticism by or observations from the Opposition. However, the Minister does have a case to answer. What he has outlined is as convincing as the statements...

Seanad: Overcrowding in Prisons: Statements (3 Nov 2010)

Eugene Regan: -----in respect of which there was no proper planning-----

Seanad: Macro-Economic and Fiscal Outlook: Statements (28 Oct 2010)

Eugene Regan: It set up a lot of committees over the years. It was the standard practice of this Government to have a committee for everything.

Seanad: Macro-Economic and Fiscal Outlook: Statements (28 Oct 2010)

Eugene Regan: We are all agreed on the objective that must be achieved in terms of getting our public finances in order and that this is a prerequisite to restoring confidence of consumers and investors in the economy. We know the economy is in a perilous state and know the dangers we face and the risk to our sovereignty and that is the reason we are all resolved to work together to deal with the problem....

Seanad: Macro-Economic and Fiscal Outlook: Statements (28 Oct 2010)

Eugene Regan: The Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, said in October last year: "We will achieve a return to growth in the early part of next year; that is why I say we have turned the corner." When speaking in the Dáil in July of this year, he said: Our plan is working. It has brought this economy out of recession. The worst is over. Economic activity in this country is turning the corner....

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Oct 2010)

Eugene Regan: I draw the attention of the House to a number of Bills that have been enacted during the years, the first of which is the Companies (Amendment) Act 1990 which was introduced by Albert Reynolds on examinership to benefit one individual in particular, namely, Mr. Larry Goodman, and his group of companies. Section 19 of the Finance Act 1994 was introduced by Deputy Bertie Ahern when Minister...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Oct 2010)

Eugene Regan: These are matters of public record. The latter Act was specifically introduced at the instigation of Frank Fahey and designed to increase his pension entitlements-----

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Oct 2010)

Eugene Regan: Yes. It is incidental that these Acts benefited other individuals during the years, but the reality is that they were introduced to benefit specific individuals and at their instigation. Given the tradition of Fianna Fáil Ministers for Finance to introduce legislation to benefit specific individuals, I believe Deputy Fahey, when Minister with responsibility for fisheries, found it quite...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Oct 2010)

Eugene Regan: That is what I am coming to. The Ombudsman has issued a report on the scheme. She has found that it was flawed and ringfenced to benefit these individuals.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Oct 2010)

Eugene Regan: It is for this House to take a decision on it and I am calling for a debate. I ask the Deputy Leader to accede to my request. The matter has been examined. The last time it was discussed in the House it was referred to the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which has decided that the Ombudsman's report should be rejected. However, it is for the House to decide on its...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Oct 2010)

Eugene Regan: I ask the Deputy Leader to agree to hold a debate on the scheme when time allows.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Oct 2010)

Eugene Regan: I refer to the comments of Senator O'Malley about the EU adopting a budget. The reality is that the European Parliament adopted its version of the EU budget, a budget not agreed to by member states and which must be mediated with the Council of Ministers. It is inappropriate to call this into question or invoke anti-EU sentiment at a time when the EU provides the lifeline to this country...