Results 21-40 of 784 for speaker:Jimmy Harte

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jun 2011)

Jimmy Harte: I will withdraw that remark in case it comes back to bite me. I ask that the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade would make a statement on foot of an issue raised by my colleague in the Dáil, Deputy John Lyons. He outlined the difficulties with visas experienced by people in the context of the soccer match due to be played by the Irish soccer team in Moscow on 6 September....

Seanad: Housing Market: Motion (22 Jun 2011)

Jimmy Harte: I wish to share my time with Senator Higgins.

Seanad: Housing Market: Motion (22 Jun 2011)

Jimmy Harte: We should not examine the history of what has happened but what we can do about it practically. As with any problem, sitting down with the person affected is a big step. Organisations such as MABS should be given more support or resources. The last place a young couple with mortgage difficulties wants to go is back to the bank that gave them the money in the first instance because the...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Jun 2011)

Jimmy Harte: I propose that we should confiscate Senator Leyden's passport because every time he leaves the country a new tax is imposed. If he stayed in the country not so many taxes would be introduced.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Jun 2011)

Jimmy Harte: We could confiscate his passport in the meantime. The accident and emergency unit in Letterkenny General Hospital was due to open in June 2012. However, following McNamara Construction going into receivership, the project has been put back by up to a year. I know that the Minister of State, Deputy Shortall, has made a statement on it, but I ask the Leader to bring it to the attention of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jun 2011)

Jimmy Harte: Senator Mooney reminds me of Peter Falk, God rest him, who said, "Just one more thing", which was Colombo's famous catchphrase.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jun 2011)

Jimmy Harte: Perhaps Senator Mooney will be wearing a white coat the next day. I call on the Leader to invite the Minister for Health to the Seanad to discuss the issue of Letterkenny accident and emergency unit, which is 90% completed. We are awaiting the receiver to sort out the issue in respect of McNamara Construction. The reason I raise the issue today is because I was at a meeting last night...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jun 2011)

Jimmy Harte: Senator Quinn mentioned the cost of credit cards. The Minister for Finance or his Minister of State might clarify the following point at some stage. Whenever someone transfers money to another jurisdiction, for example to Northern Ireland or Europe, through the IBAN or SWIFT system, every transaction is reported to the US Government. When I researched the matter, I was told that the US...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2011)

Jimmy Harte: I congratulate the Special Olympics team, many of whom come from Donegal. They have done the country and every county proud. Every medal is a marvellous achievement and they won 107. I join with other Members in congratulating them. I want to raise an issue which was front page news in the Derry Journal today, which is robberies in Inishowen - which has a population of 33,000 - in County...

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (20 Jul 2011)

Jimmy Harte: I acknowledge the presence in the Visitors Gallery of my former colleague from the fishing community, Councillor Alcorn. I congratulate the Minister on his jobs initiative in Killybegs six weeks ago. It was launched in conjunction with LYIT, Donegal County Council and various agencies. Is this predicated on our maintaining our national quotas? If quotas are split up, plans for the jobs...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jul 2011)

Jimmy Harte: I agree with the calls for a discussion on the Cloyne report, which is important. I refer to Senator Daly's contribution. I do not like lectures from people telling me when I should or should not say a prayer. It reminds me of people in Northern Ireland who, when asked their religion, would reply "I am an atheist", and they were asked if they were a Catholic or a Protestant atheist....

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jul 2011)

Jimmy Harte: I ask the Leader to consider allowing a debate on the Cloyne report. The House will sit next week but it should be discussed now while it is fresh in people's minds.

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Jul 2011)

Jimmy Harte: Along with other Members, I extend my sympathies to the people of Norway and particularly the families touched by tragedy. It is a reminder of the last century when extreme nationalism led to economic nationalism and world war. We must be careful of what is happening. Sinn Féin said that the Labour Party has travelled far but a party with the background of Sinn Féin has travelled a long...

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Jul 2011)

Jimmy Harte: The House indulged Sinn Féin for a few minutes so it can indulge another viewpoint. Sinn Féin accused the Minister of spending money on his office. Last week I read that Sinn Féin claimed over £400,000 in Westminster when most of its MPs did not attend.

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Jul 2011)

Jimmy Harte: I would have come to the question if I had not been interrupted by Members. The previous Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, spent €1 million on his office, so this spending pales in comparison.

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Jul 2011)

Jimmy Harte: My question concerns the proposal of Senator Higgins to have a debate on social housing in the autumn, particularly the rental accommodation scheme with which I am familiar in Donegal. Initially, I was in favour of the scheme because it brought people from substandard accommodation into reasonable accommodation. However, when we go down the road of bringing people off the housing list, it...

Seanad: Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011 [Dáil]: Second Stage (26 Jul 2011)

Jimmy Harte: The Minister is very welcome to the Chamber. As somebody who came through the local authority route to the Houses, similar to the Minister, I know these issues are very relevant to councillors throughout the country and local authorities. I have a particular interest in landfill charges, in which I see a carrot and stick procedure. I spent 17 years with a local authority and in the...

Seanad: Commission of Investigation Report into the Catholic Diocese of Cloyne: Motion (27 Jul 2011)

Jimmy Harte: I welcome the Minister for Justice and Equality and I thank the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Fitzgerald, for taking the time to attend. Child abuse is physical and psychological terrorism. "Terrorism" rather than "abuse" is the word we should be using. Given that these children were terrorised, I agree with the Leader that the word "deplorable" is not strong enough. No...

Seanad: Innovation at the Heart of the Jobs Challenge: Statements (14 Sep 2011)

Jimmy Harte: I wish to share my time with Senators Landy and Kelly.

Seanad: Innovation at the Heart of the Jobs Challenge: Statements (14 Sep 2011)

Jimmy Harte: I welcome the Minister, who I believe has the most important job in the Cabinet to regenerate the country and get people working again. If we were to compare Ireland to a car, it would probably be a good strong Volvo or Saab which has good infrastructure and is well built but we do not have the petrol to run it, which is how I regard credit. If credit is not available, regardless of how...