Results 61-80 of 784 for speaker:Jimmy Harte

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: An Tuarascáil - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Jul 2013)

Jimmy Harte: The debate has been about the definition of democracy in the State.

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: An Tuarascáil - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Jul 2013)

Jimmy Harte: I hope that day does not arrive, although the public will make up its mind in that regard. As a Government Senator I have no problem with the programme for Government and putting the referendum to the people. Perhaps the Seanad needs the people's endorsement, as the idea of reforming the Seanad has been kicked around for a generation. It has never happened and it is up to the people as to...

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: An Tuarascáil - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Jul 2013)

Jimmy Harte: We are not voting to get rid of ourselves, as some have said.

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: An Tuarascáil - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Jul 2013)

Jimmy Harte: May I make a reasonable point? The Senators may agree or disagree but let me finish it.

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: An Tuarascáil - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Report Stage (17 Jul 2013)

Jimmy Harte: I will not interrupt if that is okay, although I have lost my train of thought. We are not voting to get rid of ourselves and if we had that power, I am sure it would not happen. People should freely admit that we are giving the public the opportunity to decide our future. It is part of democracy that people ultimately have the power. Democracy comes from the Greek for "power" and...

Seanad: Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Jul 2013)

Jimmy Harte: This legislation is important in terms of foreign direct investment and in order that the world can see Ireland is conducting its business in an efficient manner. This is long overdue and to be welcomed. I note Senator Thomas Byrne and Fianna Fáil's support for the Bill and how they recognise the positives.

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (16 Jul 2013)

Jimmy Harte: I am talking for myself, not for anybody else.

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (16 Jul 2013)

Jimmy Harte: This legislation seeks to safeguard the future safety and health of my daughters and everybody else's daughters. I commend it to the House.

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (16 Jul 2013)

Jimmy Harte: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Costello, to the House. This is a difficult subject for all Members to address but I have that duty, as a legislator, as a citizen and, most of all, as a father, a son and a brother. There are those who say the only people with a conscience are those who will vote "No". After 21 years, people are only coming this week to the realisation they have a...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Jul 2013)

Jimmy Harte: I support Senator MacSharry in asking the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, to clarify news reports on the €35 million or €70 million in funding which the mental health services expected. For the sake of all those affected by mental health issues, I ask that the Minister of State reassure the public that the funding remains available and that...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (15 Jul 2013)

Jimmy Harte: I join with other Members in praising Senator Mulcahy for raising the issue today. I do not like to use the word “blackmail” in the context of the Minister in question but one cannot blackmail the public to say that if they do not get one thing, they will not get the other. In other words, unless they get rid of the Seanad, disability payments and funds for disabled people...

Seanad: Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (11 Jul 2013)

Jimmy Harte: I welcome the Minister of State. When he was elected to the Lower House, he probably thought he had left the Seanad but I think he is here more often than some of the Senators.

Seanad: Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (11 Jul 2013)

Jimmy Harte: That might be an idea. There might be two Brian Hayes'. I commend the Minister of State on taking a personal interest in all the legislation going through the House. I think everyone will agree with what this Bill is trying to achieve. It will underpin confidence at home and overseas in the soundness of the Government's overall budgetary plans. That is important from the point of view of...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Jul 2013)

Jimmy Harte: I will portray the calm side of Donegal as opposed to the rowdy side.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Jul 2013)

Jimmy Harte: I concur with the comments made by Senator Hayden with regard to the Tánaiste's visit to the United States today. I request that the Tánaiste should attend the House at some stage in order to update us on the progress being made. Most people in Donegal have brothers, sisters or cousins in New York, Washington or Boston who cannot return home as a result of their immigration...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Jul 2013)

Jimmy Harte: Those opposite who frequented the tent at the Galway races should put their hands up now.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Jul 2013)

Jimmy Harte: What about the Senator himself?

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Jul 2013)

Jimmy Harte: Senator Ó Domhnaill should remember from where the comes and should not be bringing disgrace on County Donegal.

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: Céim an Choiste (Atógáil) - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2013)

Jimmy Harte: As I said, I have no objection to the referendum. It is, perhaps, to be welcomed in light of the many discussions down through the years in regard to abolition and reform of the Seanad. This issue has gathered so much momentum it was necessary that this Government or, perhaps, the next to address it. If, following the referendum, the Seanad is retained, it will then have-----

Seanad: An Bille um an Dara Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Deireadh a Chur le Seanad Éireann) 2013: Céim an Choiste (Atógáil) - Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2013)

Jimmy Harte: -----credibility because the people will have backed it. Those who have been calling for its abolition will then be silenced. The referendum is a type of stress test. If the people opt to retain the Seanad because they believe it serves a purpose, it will require more powers. When speaking recently at a conference with a Dutch MP who had read about the proposed referendum on abolition of...