Results 1-20 of 784 for speaker:Jimmy Harte

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jun 2011)

Jimmy Harte: Before I ask the Cathaoirleach to refer my proposals to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, I wish to make a few observations on my first day speaking in Seanad Éireann. As a Senator who was quoted in the newspapers about the possible abolition of the Seanad, I do not think anyone sitting here today wants to see it abolished and if anyone wishes to abolish it, he or she can make...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jun 2011)

Jimmy Harte: That was the Roman Empire which was slightly bigger than Donegal. Perhaps we could learn from Cicero when he wrote that the art of political debating was to keep speeches short, remember names, tell a few jokes, put on a show, but above all, render an issue, however complicated, into a story anyone could grasp. This is advice from 53 BC and perhaps we could all learn from Cicero today. I...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jun 2011)

Jimmy Harte: I am not finished at all. My proposal, which I would ask the Leader to refer to the CPP, is that this Seanad should meet outside Dublin on perhaps one occasion every year. Article 15.1.3° of the Constitution states: The Houses of the Oireachtas shall sit in or near the City of Dublin or in such other place as they may from time to time determine. I ask that the House give this some...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jun 2011)

Jimmy Harte: I ask that my proposal be referred to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges for consideration. It would be in the interest of all Senators to travel. Some Senators may not have been in County Donegal in all their lives so I am inviting everyone to visit. We will provide a suitable venue in which to host the Seanad and it will also be a tourism boost for Donegal.

Seanad: Tourism Sector: Motion (1 Jun 2011)

Jimmy Harte: I wish to share my time with Senator Susan O'Keeffe.

Seanad: Tourism Sector: Motion (1 Jun 2011)

Jimmy Harte: Much of what has been already said is reflected in every county in Ireland. Donegal has the natural resources to attract tourists. While it has been promoted to a certain degree we must up our game in this regard. I have followed the Irish soccer team throughout Europe and beyond down through the years. It has never been reported that an Irish soccer fan was arrested in any country...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jun 2011)

Jimmy Harte: I welcome the formation of the group of seven Independents. Perhaps we could have a seven-a-side match at some stage because there are some fit men on this side of the field and we would need to match them. We are coming into the tourist season and I would like to relate an experience I had last week coming from Belfast after collecting my son from college. There are signs on the M1...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Jun 2011)

Jimmy Harte: I am delighted that Fianna Fáil Senators have brought the issue of the economy to the fore. Perhaps that would have been a better exercise if it had been done over the past few years. I am sure they will clarify issues the country is waiting to hear about.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Jun 2011)

Jimmy Harte: I am delighted the Senator asked it because we can follow it up at a future date. Senator Crown raised the issue of the tax on pension funds. I was in business for many years and I have spoken to many retailers and small business owners throughout the country. They are not concerned about whether the tax is 0.6%, 0.8% or 0.1% on their pension fund but about whether they can afford to put...

Seanad: Jobs Initiative and Competitiveness: Statements (8 Jun 2011)

Jimmy Harte: I wish share my time with Senator John Kelly.

Seanad: Jobs Initiative and Competitiveness: Statements (8 Jun 2011)

Jimmy Harte: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Perry, who comes from a business background so he is an ideal person to speak about small business. Like Senator Mary White, I have been in business since my early 20s when in setting up a business one did not have the support structures in place today. Many people went into business fairly blind. We just got into the water, kept swimming, got to the...

Seanad: Jobs Initiative and Competitiveness: Statements (8 Jun 2011)

Jimmy Harte: -----or Finn Harps, there might have been a few hundred more. It would have been nice if a big European club had appeared in Dublin. What happened was unfortunate, but I commend the FAI for its initiative in securing a European football final for Dublin. It was a fantastic event, even if it was sandwiched between two bigger events which will generate a massive tourism boost for the country...

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Second Stage (15 Jun 2011)

Jimmy Harte: I wish to share time with Senator John Kelly.

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Second Stage (15 Jun 2011)

Jimmy Harte: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Lucinda Creighton, and congratulate her on appointment to her new portfolio and her recent wedding. I am delighted to hear the Opposition defending the banks. Anyone who knows anything about investment banking will know that investment bankers earn phenomenal amounts in commission and bonuses. The figure of 0.6% to be taken from pension funds every...

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (15 Jun 2011)

Jimmy Harte: I welcome the Minister of State. In my maiden speech two weeks ago I suggested that the Seanad could move around the country, thereby making it more relevant to citizens. I proposed that it would meet first in my county of Donegal. I am sure the Minister of State would agree wholeheartedly with me on that. We could fight over whether the sitting took place Donegal North-East or Donegal...

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (15 Jun 2011)

Jimmy Harte: I look forward to meeting Minister of State in the Seanad in Donegal.

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Jun 2011)

Jimmy Harte: I welcome the Minister. I support Senator Crown's idea on having access to the pension fund. Perhaps it could be defined that the money must be used to pay off a mortgage on a private house rather than on speculative investments. I take the Opposition's view on the matter lightly because the reason pensions are being talked about so much today is due to the emphasis that was put on...

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Jun 2011)

Jimmy Harte: It is true.

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Jun 2011)

Jimmy Harte: Senator O'Brien should allow me to finish my point. The buzz word in the country in the past 15 years was that people should buy a house to act as a pension, be it an apartment in Bulgaria or a property anywhere in the world as it would do much better as an investment than any pension fund. I was involved in the insurance brokerage business when pensions were taken out for proper reasons....

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jun 2011)

Jimmy Harte: Perhaps we should abolish Fianna Fáil first before we abolish the Seanad.