Results 21-40 of 784 for speaker:Jimmy Harte

Seanad: Gas Regulation Bill 2013: Second Stage (17 Oct 2013)

Jimmy Harte: Everyone is reluctant to sell off family silver. For this reason, the sale of State assets must be done under scrutiny and with due diligence. The departure from office of the previous Administration brought to mind the last days of Saigon. The Fianna Fáil-Green Party Government acceded to every demand made by the troika because the country was in such dire straits that it not have...

Seanad: County Enterprise Boards (Dissolution) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (16 Oct 2013)

Jimmy Harte: I thank the Minister of State for bringing this Bill through the Seanad. It is an important day for enterprise in light of the budget yesterday and the measures put in place. Obviously, however, to use the cliche, the proof of the pudding will be in the eating. It is important that areas such as counties Donegal and Sligo with which the Minister of State will be very familiar must get the...

Seanad: County Enterprise Boards (Dissolution) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (16 Oct 2013)

Jimmy Harte: Exactly. County Donegal has the people with such expertise and they just need that additional leg-up to get their products onto the markets. Consequently, I welcome the passage of the Bill and look forward to continued help from the LEOs.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Oct 2013)

Jimmy Harte: I agree with calls for a debate on employment in the wake of yesterday's budget, which is very progressive for small and medium-sized businesses. Perhaps the relevant Minister might come before the House to discuss the matter. I met a hotelier from the midlands who is a Fianna Fáil supporter and who indicated that - despite the fact he will not say so publicly - the reports on the...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Oct 2013)

Jimmy Harte: Yes. The man in question stated that he would not be saying it publicly but that the budget is reasonable.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Oct 2013)

Jimmy Harte: I will not name him publicly but I can supply his name in private.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Oct 2013)

Jimmy Harte: Perhaps he might give those opposite a good discount if they opt to stay at his hotel.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Oct 2013)

Jimmy Harte: As already stated, I support the calls for a debate on enterprise and employment with the relevant Minister. I come from a business background and, as a result, I can see the positives in the budget. This budget is progressive for small businesses and towns that are struggling. Such businesses provide the lifeblood of such towns. For all the criticism in respect of it, there are many...

Seanad: Issues Facing Small and Medium Enterprises in Rural Towns: Motion (8 Oct 2013)

Jimmy Harte: My apologies to Senator Mary Ann O’Brien, but I am sure she will not mind. This motion is close to my heart, if one can forgive the pun.

Seanad: Issues Facing Small and Medium Enterprises in Rural Towns: Motion (8 Oct 2013)

Jimmy Harte: I thank Senator Landy for introducing it. From today’s report on the number of unoccupied commercial premises across the country, I noted County Donegal has one of the highest rates of vacancy of commercial premises. The national average is 12% while Letterkenny’s rate is 21%. Will the Minister clarify whether this rate is based on floor space or per unit? I have two...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2013)

Jimmy Harte: For once, we are all in agreement in this Chamber. Senator Crown pointed out the 1979 referendum which gave graduates from other third level institutions the vote in Seanad university elections. When I asked the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, as to why this referendum was never enacted, he could not answer. He did not bother coming back to me on it either. To paraphrase...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2013)

Jimmy Harte: From now on we should get the respect we deserve. When we debated the referendum, I stated I had no problem with the people making a choice on the Seanad. Strictly speaking, the vote was not about reforming the Seanad but retaining it as it stands. It is up to us as Senators, with the help of others who would give us advice, to reform it in a way that is for the betterment of society. We...

Seanad: County Enterprise Boards (Dissolution) Bill 2013: Second Stage (2 Oct 2013)

Jimmy Harte: I shall not need ten minutes. I welcome the Minister of State. The measures that have been introduced are a step forward. However, we must ensure that there is not simply a change of name or location but a change of policy. Donegal and areas outside Dublin are not getting the same jobs boost as the east coast. Areas like Donegal and the Minister of State's area of Sligo suffer a great...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Oct 2013)

Jimmy Harte: Following on from Senator Ó Domhnaill's assertions about Sinn Féin, I recently took part in a debate with Deputy Pearse Doherty on Highland Radio. He had the temerity to call this institution an affront to democracy and I challenged him on that. For anyone living in the Border areas, listening to Sinn Féin politicians refusing to condemn the murder of Irish citizens and...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Personal Insolvency Act (24 Sep 2013)

Jimmy Harte: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy McGinley. There is nothing new in the statement by the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter. It is unfair that a young couple or person going down the road of personal insolvency must pay €500 before being able to do so. I stand to be corrected in questioning the statement that our procedures are in line with those in other...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Personal Insolvency Act (24 Sep 2013)

Jimmy Harte: I welcome the Minister of State. I am asking the Minister for Justice and Equality to explain why an up-front fee of €500 is payable for a protective certificate to commence a personal insolvency arrangement. That is in addition to the fees of €250 and €100 fees, which I see as a tax on people's inability to pay or entering into an insolvency arrangement. This is...

Seanad: EU Directive on Patients Rights in Cross-Border Health Care: Statements (24 Sep 2013)

Jimmy Harte: I welcome the Minister. The directive is very relevant for those living in Letterkenny and the north west, including Sligo, Monaghan, Cavan and anywhere along the Border, where people have been dealing with this issue for years. Councillor Martin Farren from Inishowen, who is in the Visitors Gallery, will be very familiar with the difficulties for people who live at the top of Inishowen and...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Sep 2013)

Jimmy Harte: I agree with most previous speakers on the tone of the debate on the forthcoming referendum. I refer in particular to posters stating that fewer politicians will be good for the country and will save €20 million. If we do not have respect for ourselves, we cannot expect members of the public to have respect for us. The posters in question should be removed as they are an insult to...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jul 2013)

Jimmy Harte: Senator David Norris made reference to dead sheep. I have been called many things in my time, but that is a new one. I do not appreciate the remark.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jul 2013)

Jimmy Harte: I congratulate Senator Mary White on her initiative. Any effort to promote local business is vital to the economy and to local communities. I wish her well in her endeavours. We learned this week that the closing date for third level grant applications to Student Universal Support Ireland is next Friday week. Will the Leader invite the Minister for Education and Skills to the House when we...