Results 301-320 of 996 for speaker:John Gerard Hanafin

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Sep 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: -----from the 8% we are getting from the banks. That was a marvellous deal the Minister for Finance arranged for the State.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Sep 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: In that debate we should focus on the fact that in any analysis of property prices from peak to trough, including that for the Great Depression, at no time have property prices not appreciated by 88% seven years after the trough. The Jonahs will not have their day on this issue.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Sep 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: The Minister for Finance has indicated that carbon tax will become a reality. We should have a debate in connection with the possible abuse by gangsters of the divergence of price between the North and the Republic. That would encourage criminals to become involved in transporting carbon fuels across the Border. They will take the opportunity to put a veneer of political aim on their...

Seanad: The Economy: Statements (23 Sep 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: There are four cornerstones to the Government's strategy for recovery, the first of which is closing the gap in our public finances. Our deficit, which currently stands at €20 billion, is being met through borrowing. Prior to the downturn, we enjoyed significant surpluses of €22 billion during the years 2005 to 2007. It makes sense for the Government to ease cuts and taxes into the...

Seanad: Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (15 Jul 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: It was not my intention to speak but events and what has been said indicate that I should add a word of caution. The enabling amendments before us are technical in nature. I understand how Opposition Members might express anxieties about what they might mean. As regards what they will mean, however, we can give a view as to what is proper or not. It is not correct to say that we are not...

Seanad: Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (15 Jul 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: That is not evidence of what somebody said, it is what is said in the media. Neither is it particularly helpful to say the Government will do anything to help the banks. The Government will do anything to help this economy and the way to do that is through the banks. Whether we like it or not, the way to get funding and capital into the economy is through the banking system. There is no...

Seanad: Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (15 Jul 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: On a point of information-----

Seanad: Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (15 Jul 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: On a point of clarification then, we have heard two sides of the same coin from Fine Gael, one which supports the introduction of a clocking-in system and the other which does not. Will those opposite clarify what is the Fine Gael position on the matter?

Seanad: Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (15 Jul 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jul 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: In recent weeks, the House undoubtedly has dealt with a large quantity of legislation. Questions have arisen in the media regarding a clear outline as to the blasphemy provisions in the Defamation Bill. In many ways, the media are unclear until they receive clarification. In addition, I refer to the possibility of a case being brought and as the courts do not judge in a vacuum, they need...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jul 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: In the event that the report from an bord snip nua is published, will the Leader arrange for a debate on its contents when we return in September to debate the NAMA legislation? There may be merits and demerits in publishing the report, which I understand proposes a suite of options for achieving reductions in public expenditure of €5 billion. As we are all aware, there are people who say...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jul 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I ask the Leader to arrange for a debate on the public sector in the next session. While much has been said about the public sector with regard to cuts, perhaps not enough has been said about the wonderful work it does. I am conscious that the Irish renaissance in the 1960s came from Ken Whitaker and Seán Lemass, particularly as a result of the First Programme for Economic Expansion and...

Seanad: OECD and IMF Reports: Statements (10 Jul 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: In future decades, an analysis will be done of the boom and people will be asked how they managed events. Some time ago, the Government indicated that the property market was overheating and the issue would have to be addressed. The Oireachtas discussed steps that would be taken to manage the downturn in property and construction related industries. At the time, we anticipated job losses...

Seanad: OECD and IMF Reports: Statements (10 Jul 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: The Opposition parties expected economic growth rates of 4% and advocated increased public expenditure. When they lecture the Government and tell us we got the country into this mess, they are wrong. The recession was caused by an international crisis arising from the refusal to support the banks in the United States and the subsequent collapse of Lehman Brothers as well as the debt bubble....

Seanad: OECD and IMF Reports: Statements (10 Jul 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: It was appealing at the time when I heard the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, say it is not always the Opposition's responsibility to come up with the answers.

Seanad: OECD and IMF Reports: Statements (10 Jul 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: There is no doubt that in real terms the Minister of State is with the angels. He has a very high order of things and what he does is commendable.

Seanad: OECD and IMF Reports: Statements (10 Jul 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I am just a politician, however, and I get on in the world I live in. I do admire Deputy Mansergh significantly for that. However, when I hear Opposition Members talking about cuts it is obvious that they are playing politics. If they were in government they would be doing exactly the same thing.

Seanad: OECD and IMF Reports: Statements (10 Jul 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: When the Opposition talks about 20,000 job cuts in the public service, I can guarantee that it will not specify where or what services will be cut. We are faced with a very difficult situation and are dealing with it strongly. We have recapitalised the banks and are looking to new areas of future growth. The very things that brought us prosperity are still in place for the future. The...

Seanad: OECD and IMF Reports: Statements (10 Jul 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: Senator Ross should be allowed to speak without interruption.

Seanad: OECD and IMF Reports: Statements (10 Jul 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: When is it proposed to sit again?