Results 181-200 of 784 for speaker:Jimmy Harte

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Dec 2011)

Jimmy Harte: I fully agree with Senator Mullen's comments relating to a debate on the Seanad. Members on this side of the House share his views, and I am sure all Members will tell him as much privately as well. With regard to the call for a debate on mortgage interest rates, Senator O'Brien pointed out that current mortgage interest rates are up to 6% while the European interest rate is 1%, so there is...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2011)

Jimmy Harte: In the light of the recent publicity surrounding the judgment in the Abbeyleix nursing home case, perhaps the Minister for Health might return to the House to discuss the implications. On Friday night I attended a meeting in Lifford in which the community hospital is under threat. When I visited the 20-bed hospital in the afternoon, one of the residents told me that they had never been...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jan 2012)

Jimmy Harte: The Ulster Bank announcement is regrettable. It has many fine staff and the bank has had a significant presence in County Donegal over the years, particularly along the Border. Some of those shedding crocodile tears about job losses are the same people who were saying the bank should have been left to flounder some time ago. They cannot have it both ways. They cannot say they feel sorry...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jan 2012)

Jimmy Harte: The Lonely Planet has a different readership from the The New York Times but we must be concerned that no location in Ireland featured in the top 45 places to visit in 2012. Birmingham and Glasgow are regarded as more desirable to visit than Dublin or Donegal. Donegal is the most desirable place to visit in the world. The Cathaoirleach visited Donegal during the Christmas break and I...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jan 2012)

Jimmy Harte: On the call made by Senator Healy Eames in respect of RTE and value for money, I have spoken to some people associated with broadcasting, film making and programming. Members will notice that during the forthcoming summer, RTE will be obliged to broadcast reruns because all the available money will have been diverted to coverage of the Euro 2012 championship and the Olympics. There will be...

Seanad: Report of Advisory Group on Small Business: Statements (Resumed) (19 Jan 2012)

Jimmy Harte: I again welcome the Minister of State, Deputy John Perry, whose business background means he is well placed to understand the needs and difficulties of small business at this time. The problems in large and small towns reflect what is happening worldwide. However, the statistics show that exports are booming. If one confined one's analysis to exports, one would think Ireland was doing very...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jan 2012)

Jimmy Harte: Most people receive a letter from their mortgage company or bank outlining changes to their mortgage rates. My research shows there are almost 2 million residential units in the State, of which between 800,000 and 900,000 have a mortgage attached to them. Every interest rate change is notified to mortgage holders by post and those who hold two or three mortgages will receive two or three...

Seanad: Education (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (25 Jan 2012)

Jimmy Harte: The Chair has no county, but I appreciate the Senator's contribution.

Seanad: Education (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (25 Jan 2012)

Jimmy Harte: The Senator's time is up.

Seanad: Education (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (25 Jan 2012)

Jimmy Harte: Senator Norris is always welcome in Donegal.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Feb 2012)

Jimmy Harte: I concur with the proposal from our colleagues in Sinn Féin with regard to inviting the First Minister and Deputy First Minister from the North to come before the House. On the calls for a referendum, the previous Government had to be dragged before the High Court in respect of holding a by-election in Donegal. This gave rise to costs which the taxpayer was obliged to pay.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Feb 2012)

Jimmy Harte: The Senator did not say that at the time.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Feb 2012)

Jimmy Harte: The previous Government had to be dragged before the High Court.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Feb 2012)

Jimmy Harte: Senator Moloney referred to an article in today's Irish Independent regarding a Polish national living in Donegal. I wish to place on record my belief that the words attributed to this individual in the article in question do a disservice to Polish people who live in Donegal. It was indicated that she referred to the town in which she resides as a "s***hole". That attitude is disgusting....

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Feb 2012)

Jimmy Harte: Anyone who calls a town in Donegal a "shithole" and who is living there should leave. I make no apology for what I have said because people from elsewhere would object to their counties or the towns they contain being referred to in that way.

Seanad: Local Government Reform: Statements, Questions and Answers (1 Feb 2012)

Jimmy Harte: I agree with Senator Terry Leyden's point on the NPPR tax. My family association with local government in Lifford and Strabane dates back more than 100 years. There is a massive local government tradition in County Donegal which I would like to see maintained. Does the Minister have a view as to how Donegal County Council and local councils will be following the review?

Seanad: Local Government Reform: Statements, Questions and Answers (1 Feb 2012)

Jimmy Harte: I do not know what the Senator means.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Feb 2012)

Jimmy Harte: I would like to address the point Senator Ó Domhnaill made about septic tanks. I welcome the Minister's decision to change the fee.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Feb 2012)

Jimmy Harte: Last week, Marian Harkin, MEP, made the valid point that it is very convenient for members of Fianna Fáil to blame the present Government even though it is their fault that the last Administration failed to introduce legislation in this area. They kept knocking it back. They blamed the owners of septic tanks for the water pollution. If anyone reads the judgment on the court case - I do...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Feb 2012)

Jimmy Harte: We had no choice. I can ask the Minister to explain that to the Senator. We had no choice. The case that was made by the Opposition was flawed. Marian Harkin, who is an Independent MEP from a rural area, talks a lot of sense. She made that point very clearly. It is on the public record.