Results 121-140 of 996 for speaker:John Gerard Hanafin
- Seanad: Business of Seanad. (20 May 2004)
John Gerard Hanafin: I support those Senators who have called for a debate on human rights and the Middle East. It is a strange policy for people to be put out of their homes, leaving an abiding memory in the minds of their children, and as they leave to see their houses bulldozed behind them. If one was to try to create trouble for the future, that is one sure way of doing it. One hears of helicopter gunships...
- Seanad: Business of Seanad. (20 May 2004)
John Gerard Hanafin: We should welcome the president, but make our views known because we as politicians should know the pendulum swings. To make a decision when the pendulum is at one extreme may turn out not to have been the correct thing to do shortly thereafter.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (26 May 2004)
John Gerard Hanafin: I note with interest this morning the profitability of Vodafone, the largest supplier in the mobile telephony market in this country. I request a debate on the telecommunications market. The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Dermot Ahern, is to be commended for ensuring the regulator has put in place a system whereby NVNOs will be on offer very shortly, thereby...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (27 May 2004)
John Gerard Hanafin: I ask that the Minister for Transport come to the House for a debate on roads, particularly the need for a ring road in the Thurles area. Due to economic growth there are more cars on the road.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (27 May 2004)
John Gerard Hanafin: I also draw the attention of the House to the fact that there has hardly been a wet day since the smoking ban was introduced. Perhaps the sun is shining either on the smokers or on the Minister's decision.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Jun 2004)
John Gerard Hanafin: I support those who called for a debate on the financial services industry. I am conscious that previously we needed to regulate aspects such as redemption fees â in some cases couples who wanted to pay off a loan early were charged a six months' redemption fee â or the need to introduce an APR because the industry was hiding costs such as monthly or annual interest repayment charges...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Jun 2004)
John Gerard Hanafin: They also get profit sharing, bonuses and expenses. Even their cups of coffee are paid for, but they do not seem to know from where extra funds come. Greed is not good and this must be addressed. "To whom much is given, much will be expected", not a minimum standard.
- Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2003: Second Stage. (16 Jun 2004)
John Gerard Hanafin: The financial services industry in Ireland employs approximately 50,000 people and if our indigenous industry is the backbone of our economy, the financial services sector is the nervous system. Over the years, certainly throughout my lifetime, we have witnessed very significant changes to the financial services sector, many of which have been very positive. The development of the credit...
- Seanad: Housing (Stage Payments) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (16 Jun 2004)
John Gerard Hanafin: While I welcome any Private Members' Bill, the Opposition always tells us to reflect on what is coming through, to be sure of what is there and to check and to double check. The one time we do it, they criticise us. It is only prudent that the Minister would wait. He has made it clear that he fully appreciates the intentions of the proposed Bill. He stated that it requires more rigorous...
- Seanad: Housing (Stage Payments) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (16 Jun 2004)
John Gerard Hanafin: Ireland is now building, at the fastest rate in Europe, 17 houses per 1,000 of the population. This is an outstanding achievement. Our sizeable investment in the servicing of land has delivered more than five years supply of serviced residential land nationally and more than eight years supply in Dublin. The Government has a proud record in the provision of social and affordable housing. The...
- Seanad: Housing (Stage Payments) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (16 Jun 2004)
John Gerard Hanafin: The year 2003 saw the highest level of housing provision under the full range of social and affordable housing measures for over 15 years. The needs of more than 13,600 households were met, compared with almost 8,500 in 1998. The Government is putting in place five year action plans to address housing needs and priorities through new multi-annual programmes, with â¬1.8 billion being...
- Seanad: Housing (Stage Payments) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (16 Jun 2004)
John Gerard Hanafin: The Government is also committed to supporting first-time buyers through a range of targeted measures. We have increased the annual ceiling on the amount of mortgage interest relief available to first-time buyers by more than 25% and the period in which mortgage interest relief is available from five years to seven years. We have introduced reduced stamp duty rates for first-time buyers and a...
- Seanad: Housing (Stage Payments) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (16 Jun 2004)
John Gerard Hanafin: While the rate of house price increases is still problematic, this has moderated considerably since the late 1990s when price increases peaked at 40% per annum in 1998. A number of market commentators, including the Central Bank, are now predicting greater balance in the housing market over the next few years, as increased supply has a dampening effect on house prices. Indicative data...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Jun 2004)
John Gerard Hanafin: Will the Leader arrange for a debate on certain aspects of the legislation governing political donations? I refer specifically to the full page advertisements which appeared in national newspapers, including the Irish Independent, which were political in nature and referred to the issue of a new terminal at Dublin Airport. The legislation is clear and ignorance of the law is no excuse. The...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jul 2004)
John Gerard Hanafin: I support the calls for a debate on decentralisation. We seem to have forgotten how important it was to prevent bottlenecks in Dublin, which would have hampered growth. Too much development in a particular area causes serious problems and works against the development of the nation. Decentralisation has provided opportunities for growth and development to communities throughout the country,...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jul 2004)
John Gerard Hanafin: Now that decentralisation is being implemented, the Opposition is looking for some reason to complain about it.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Jul 2004)
John Gerard Hanafin: I share in the calls for a debate on the economy. It would give us an opportunity to thank the Minister for Finance for the excellent work he has done.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Jul 2004)
John Gerard Hanafin: We should reflect on where we were and where we are now. Genius is in the simple things. Giving money back to the business community and the public has created a vibrant economy. Money has been put into the national pensions fund for our future.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Jul 2004)
John Gerard Hanafin: The Minister has ensured the economy is on a sound footing, which is why countries around the world have tried to copy the Irish model.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Jul 2004)
John Gerard Hanafin: We do not give enough credit to those to whom it is due, which is the Government and the Minister.