Results 241-260 of 996 for speaker:John Gerard Hanafin

Seanad: Interim Report on Flooding on River Shannon, November 2000: Statements (4 Dec 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I wish to express solidarity with all those who have been affected by the flooding. The worst hit areas are in Galway, Clare, Tipperary and Cork but there has also been flooding in Kildare and Dublin as well as in other parts of the Shannon basin, including Westmeath and Roscommon. I understand how difficult it is for the people involved. It is very hard for them to cope with their homes...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Dec 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I ask the Leader for a debate on Ireland becoming chair of the OSCE in 2012 which is a particularly important appointment. I am aware the Russians have asked the EU for a security treaty to encompass the current situation in Europe. I suggest that Dublin would be the chosen location for signing the treaty.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Dec 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: Helsinki has achieved for Finland - another independent state - a fine status as the place and origin of the treaty which preceded the upcoming treaty. It is quite clear that Dublin would benefit by being the location of where the treaty was signed. I ask for a debate on the role of the media. I am aware that in life if one thinks one can do something, one is probably right and if one...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: Will the Leader hold a debate as soon as agreement is reached with the social partners? I am conscious that in the good times we unfortunately forget the bad times and that in the bad times we forget the good times. That is never more apparent than when we compare our current situation with that in April 2008.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: We find ourselves in a much better position than we were in last year when we were on the precipice. The Government did everything it could and succeeded in bringing us back from the precipice and ensuring the stability of the banking system. That has preserved employment and the economy. If we are in a position to reach a deal with the social partners and if it offers a workable solution,...

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: Tomorrow.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Dec 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: Many colleagues have referred to the proposed deal between the public service and the Government. I would like a debate on this issue when it is finalised. The Taoiseach said no deal would happen unless public services remained unaffected. The deal is predicated on public services being maintained at their current high level. However, the public service has stepped up to the mark and I...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Dec 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I call for a series of debates in the House so that at least once a year we debate the protection and nurturing of children and that we have a regular debate on the economy. These would be features we would all get used to and we would all have a chance to prepare for them and speak. In speaking about the very sad Murphy report in particular and the litany of terrible events committed by...

Seanad: Pre-Budget Outlook: Statements (1 Dec 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I welcome the Minister of State. In joining the debate I note there was a call for a change of Government. Considering the past two years, there was a divergence of opinion on major issues in the Opposition parties and I wonder what kind of Government they would have formed and how long it would have lasted. It would not have even got over the first hurdle, which was the agreement to...

Seanad: EU Council Decision: Motion (26 Nov 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I am very pleased to see further co-operation and the integration of information technology for customs purposes. I am conscious that in Ireland, because of a convergence of events, including tax rates and currency, there is a large moral hazard on our borders leading to cross-Border smuggling. This moral hazard extends further because those who get involved in well-organised gangster-type...

Seanad: EU Council Decision: Motion (26 Nov 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: At 2.30 p.m. next Tuesday.

Seanad: EU Council Decision: Motion (26 Nov 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I move: "That Seanad Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion provided by Article 1.11 of the Treaty of Amsterdam to take part in the adoption of the following proposed measure: a proposal for a Council Decision on the use of information technology for customs purposes, a copy of which proposed measure was laid before Seanad Éireann on 25th November, 2009."

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: Will the Deputy Leader write to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to ask that we join Cumbria in requesting funds from the European Social Fund, under the Lisbon treaty, to deal with a national disaster? My county colleague, Senator Prendergast, spoke well last night during the statements on the flooding. She had obviously been out in the flood waters and made...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: We all have a responsibility to recognise that we need aerial photographs and ensure no planning permission is given where there is a new flood plain. We must ask the insurance companies to pay out early and put together a national plan to spend money to ensure people have flood barriers in their homes and that there are flood barriers in towns and cities to prevent a recurrence. We must...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Nov 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: Will the Leader write to FIFA in regard to the injustice done to the Irish team arising from the clear double hand tap by a French player in the lead-up to that team's goal in last night's match? The Leader should request FIFA to adopt the system in operation in rugby where video playback is used to clarify these types of issues. This is not a frivolous matter.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Nov 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: It is a matter of great importance because it was this particular goal which qualified France for the World Cup, dashed the hopes of the Irish players to play in the international arena and ensured we lost out on the spin-off of that participation in terms of franchising, finance and so on. Although it was not intentional, an injustice has been done. Nor is it the first time such a...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Nov 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I join Senator O'Reilly in calling for a debate on the nuclear issue, a matter previously raised in the House by Senator Quinn. I ask the Leader for a general debate on the matter, which would be very useful given that we are in a nuclear area. There are new facilities for nuclear reactors to be much safer, where the irradiated material is held in steel spheres. It is even possible to shut...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: Last week I inquired about the Internet streaming of the business of this House to the media, by which I referred to the broadcast media. The only way to increase public awareness of the way in which debates are conducted in this Chamber is by letting the public see the work we do. This House is host to a fine level of debate with many different views being expressed. The debate is...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: If I am factually incorrect, I will be delighted——

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: The question will arise as to how the Opposition would deal with the €4 billion budget cut.