Results 21-40 of 996 for speaker:John Gerard Hanafin

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)

John Gerard Hanafin: Will the Leader of the House confirm that the Taoiseach received the most leadership votes?

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)

John Gerard Hanafin: The idea that Fianna Fáil needed a watchdog was mooted here today. However, the Taoiseach obtained 96 votes and the partnership approach of the Government is leading to the stability the country needs in these turbulent times. (Interruptions).

Seanad: Convention on the Future of Europe: Statements. (12 Mar 2003)

John Gerard Hanafin: I welcome former Taoiseach, Deputy John Bruton, and I praise him for his efforts to have God mentioned in a European Constitution. The history of Europe shows us that such a humble mention would only inspire us to greater things. Perhaps it is the lack of such an understanding that has caused so many problems in the past. I hope in the future we can see that pure secularism is arid and...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Mar 2003)

John Gerard Hanafin: I join my colleague, Senator Lydon, in his expression of sympathy. I do not know if others noticed the similarity. An assassination in Serbia prior to a war has a resonance of other years. I hope it will not come to that, however. I ask the Leader to make contact with the European Union. There is a suggestion afoot that it would not be involved in assisting Iraq in the event of the United...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Mar 2003)

John Gerard Hanafin: I share Senator Ryan's view that we need a debate on self-regulation. While it is important to have self-regulation, it is equally important to have a Competition Authority which can throw open the blinds and let in the light. Perhaps the balance between the two will be of benefit to consumers.

Seanad: Foreign Conflicts: Motion. (21 Mar 2003)

John Gerard Hanafin: To what benefit would be withdrawal of the use of Shannon? How would it be seen? The Americans would certainly not see it as the Irish nation wrestling with its national conscience. It would be seen as a negative act. Our best hope lies in trying to influence the outcome and the method in regard to the rebuilding of Iraq in the context of humanitarian aid and assistance for its people and by...

Seanad: Employment Permits Bill 2003: Second Stage. (27 Mar 2003)

John Gerard Hanafin: I also welcome the Minister and support the Employment Permits Bill 2003. Its primary purpose is to facilitate the granting of free access to the Irish labour market to nationals of EU accession states with effect from May 2004. I am reminded of a speech the Pope made in the 1980s in which he said Europe had two lungs. He was referring to eastern and western Europe and it is good that fresh...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Apr 2003)

John Gerard Hanafin: I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on the tribunals. There is disquiet among the public at the amount of time spent dealing with them and their cost.

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Apr 2003)

John Gerard Hanafin: Is there a more cost effective way of dealing with them because we certainly need investigations into the areas concerned? An unusual situation arose in March where due to the weight of numbers of barristers – not due to the weight of their arguments—

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Apr 2003)

John Gerard Hanafin: —each on €2,000 a day, crowding into some offices in town, the air conditioning has to be turned on. The cost to the State of the tribunals is enormous. I also suggest to the Leader that we should have a debate on the Gulf War during which she should restate the position she stated previously, that this House is in favour of peace, that divergent views can remain in the search for peace...

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Apr 2003)

John Gerard Hanafin: I agree with my colleague because it is very important to welcome the American President to our shores. It reinforces the view that we are highly regarded, disproportionate to our size, in the American establishment, by both the Democratic and Republican parties. The President is here to support the Good Friday Agreement, to which we have all signed up wholeheartedly. In the light of the fact...

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Apr 2003)

John Gerard Hanafin: I join others in asking the Leader for a debate on crime. Hooliganism in the streets is not just caused by drink but also by drugs. It is a phenomenon that needs to be examined and dealt with. It is entirely inappropriate that people do not feel safe at night. It should be made clear that no-go areas will not be tolerated. It has been suggested that an all-Ireland penalty points system should...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 May 2003)

John Gerard Hanafin: I join in the calls for a debate on Northern Ireland. Many Senators mentioned different aspects and injustices done during the many years of the troubles. There is no doubt that the Good Friday Agreement has been the answer and that we are now on the final furlong. I would like to see mention in the debate of something missed in many places because of the focus on final acts of completion...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 May 2003)

John Gerard Hanafin: I ask the Leader for a debate on decentralisation. It has come to light that 17,000 civil servants would be interested in transferring to rural locations. I could think of no finer place for the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism, particularly with regard to sport, than my home town of Thurles, which has a wonderful race course for dogs and horses, as well as Semple Stadium, a beautiful...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 May 2003)

John Gerard Hanafin: There is not a street in Thurles in which you could not wave a hurley-stick and find people with four or five all-Ireland medals.

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 May 2003)

John Gerard Hanafin: Speech.

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 May 2003)

John Gerard Hanafin: I share Senator Higgins's concern about An Post services. However, as a member of the Communications Workers' Union, and that union's nominee to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the Seanad I believe it is important that we get the full picture in terms of what is happening. I ask the Leader to contact the regulator in order to ensure that there is a level playing pitch. At present, a...

Seanad: Redundancy Payments Bill 2003: Second Stage. (14 May 2003)

John Gerard Hanafin: I welcome the Bill, the purpose of which is to provide for the amendment and extension of the Redundancy Payments Act 1967, the amendment of the Redundancy Payments Act 1971, the Protection of Employees (Employers Insolvency) Acts 1984 to 2001, the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 1993, and the Employment Equality Act 1998, and to provide for related matters. The Bill partly stems from the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 May 2003)

John Gerard Hanafin: I support Senators who spoke in favour of the Minister for Education and Science's proposals.

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 May 2003)

John Gerard Hanafin: Non-payment of third level fees is a subsidy and, in the light of our ongoing social justice needs, it is entirely reasonable that those who can more than well afford to pay fees should be requested to do so.