Results 141-160 of 996 for speaker:John Gerard Hanafin

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Jul 2004)

John Gerard Hanafin: I agree with Senator Brian Hayes's comments on restraint in Northern Ireland. It is right to commend those who show restraint in the face of provocation. It is also good to remind those who actively provoke by burning flags that it is unacceptable. I request a debate on the property market. Irish banks are securing their loan asset base abroad because they have reached the maximum for lending...

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Sep 2004)

John Gerard Hanafin: I ask the Leader to arrange a broad debate during this term under the general heading of international terrorism. During our break events at Beslan in Ossetia shocked us all. Perhaps the Leader might write a letter of support from this House to the Russian ambassador. These terrible events were probably unique. In the past, the face of evil has tried to hide itself. However, this was the...

Seanad: Educational Facilities: Motion. (6 Oct 2004)

John Gerard Hanafin: I thank my colleague Senator Fitzgerald for allowing me to share time with him. He has many points to make and I am sure he could speak on the subject for hours and every minute of his contribution would be of value. The reason I requested him to share time is to warmly and heartily welcome the Minister for Education and Science to the House.

Seanad: Report on Seanad Reform: Statements (Resumed). (21 Oct 2004)

John Gerard Hanafin: The first thing that comes to mind in terms of Seanad reform is, if it is not broken do not fix it. There are elements of this House which work exceptionally well as they were well thought out. The creation of a legislative arm that reflects the vocational groupings in the country was a far-sighted and wise undertaking. It also incorporates the universities. It is important to bear in mind...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Oct 2004)

John Gerard Hanafin: I have often heard it said that there is nothing as intolerant as an Irish liberal. A person may be entitled to his or her own religious beliefs. If we are to have a debate on events relating to the European Commission, we should reflect on the fact that tolerance must be across the board. I hope that tolerance will prevail in Europe.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Oct 2004)

John Gerard Hanafin: I have no doubt that some of the people who are taking entrenched views in Europe would gladly support partial birth abortions, which are nothing short of infanticide, and transsexual adoptions, which I find dubious. However, when it comes to someone else's personal beliefs they are completely intolerant. Perhaps people should look in the mirror and reflect upon themselves.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Oct 2004)

John Gerard Hanafin: I commend those who have suggested that a minimum level of taxation be paid by people who earn €1 million. I would like to bring balance to the debate by stating that some of those people have actually lost money. A number of them invested in business expansion schemes and have lost 100% of their money, namely, the 42% of tax they got back and their own capital. Many schemes would not have...

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Nov 2004)

John Gerard Hanafin: I warmly welcome the re-election of President George W. Bush, which presents an opportunity in many different areas. I hope that in the coming years we will see properly held elections and democratic governments both in Iraq and in Afghanistan. There are also domestic opportunities arising from the election for the United States.

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Nov 2004)

John Gerard Hanafin: These opportunities include overturning the Roe v. Wade case which legalised abortion. Ms Norma McCorvey, who was "Roe" in that case, visited the Oireachtas this year. She is now an active pro-life supporter. There will be wonderful opportunities for the United States. I ask the Leader to write to the American Embassy to congratulate the new President and wish him well.

Seanad: Order of Business. (18 Nov 2004)

John Gerard Hanafin: I seek a debate, in general terms, on the way the country is progressing. The Economist issued a glowing report on Ireland. It has placed Ireland at the top of the quality of life index. This is no mean publication. It is accepted in boardrooms and countries throughout the world. The index took cognisance of 111 countries. It measured not only income but health, freedom, employment, family...

Seanad: Order of Business. (18 Nov 2004)

John Gerard Hanafin: This publication is widely respected and across a wide range of areas Ireland has come out well ahead and on top. That should be applauded because this is how others see us. It is important to note that one of the major reasons for our success is that in Ireland stable family and community life was viewed as positive; this has pushed us ahead of other countries. Perhaps it is a matter on...

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Nov 2004)

John Gerard Hanafin: I agree with the calls for a debate on decentralisation. No doubt the Minister was ambitious for Ireland; that is a phrase we will all remember. He wanted to decentralise within three years. I remember distinctly that everything was predicated on nobody being forced to go within three years.

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Nov 2004)

John Gerard Hanafin: In conjunction with Phil Flynn and the implementation committee and with the Association of Higher Civil and Public Servants, the timetable has now been deferred but decentralisation will still go ahead and Fianna Fáil will deliver for Ireland.

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Nov 2004)

John Gerard Hanafin: Will the Leader arrange a debate on SDS at the earliest opportunity with the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources? At present there appear to be two opposite views in An Post. An Post management has requested the closure of SDS on the basis of its figures but the union's figures appear to be different. It would be worthwhile to have a debate to see if we can tease out the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Dec 2004)

John Gerard Hanafin: Regarding Detective Garda Jerry McCabe, I agree with Senator Maurice Hayes who said it all.

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Dec 2004)

John Gerard Hanafin: Having been nominated to this House by the ICTU through the Communication Workers Union, I have a particular interest in An Post and ask for an urgent debate on this matter. Regarding the proposed release of the murderers of Detective Garda Jerry McCabe, the Government has to make a difficult and heart-rending decision. One would not envy those obliged to make such a decision. Debates are...

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Dec 2004)

John Gerard Hanafin: I, too, ask the Leader to arrange a debate on An Post. It appears turnover in the SDS side of the business will significantly exceed the forecast made by management. It seems the decision regarding SDS has been made, irrespective of the company's results and the commitments given to workers which the company was honour bound to keep and has not delivered. A serious question mark hangs over...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2004)

John Gerard Hanafin: I request a debate on the communications industry, in particular the recognition by the regulator, ComReg, that there is a "tacit understanding", which in anyone's language means a duopoly, for a pricing arrangement between Vodafone and O2. It has been my opinion for some time that the Irish mobile telephone business is something of an Irish take-away. In the first instance, Vodafone...

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Jan 2005)

John Gerard Hanafin: I request the Leader to ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources to attend the House to discuss matters at An Post. There are obvious industrial relations difficulties at An Post that are patently unnecessary and could be properly dealt with by management. I have also brought the House's attention to the EU directive to ComReg on the mobile telephony industry. A...

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Feb 2005)

John Gerard Hanafin: I ask the Leader for a debate on the mobile phone market in this country. It is widely acknowledged, including by the regulator and the EU Commission, that Ireland is paying one of the highest average costs per user in Europe. The mobile telephone companies here are heading towards profits of €1 billion per year. It is accepted that where competition is in place the cost to the consumer...