Results 361-380 of 996 for speaker:John Gerard Hanafin

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Jun 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: The Seanad could do the country some service by hosting a debate of this nature. There appears to be a mystery with regard to the areas in respect of which certain parties would introduce cuts and what level of tax increases they would introduce.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Jun 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: Those in opposition want the matter to remain a mystery for as long as possible. I ask them to cost the proposals they intend to put forward.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jun 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: Having missed the opportunity yesterday to congratulate my county colleague, Alan Kelly, on his election to the European Parliament, I do so today. I also share the concerns expressed by Senator Quinn regarding the waste of food because people do not understand the context of the stamping of food. If anything can be done by supermarkets to educate the public in this regard, it would be...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jun 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: While I ask the Leader for a debate, in calling for such a debate I ask that Senators be correct in what they say in this House. To state there will be an increase in unemployment of 300,000 simply is scaremongering. There will not be 700,000 people unemployed.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jun 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: It is on the record.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jun 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: It was just said.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jun 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: Stating that 40,000 people will lose their homes constitutes further scaremongering and is disgraceful. I would welcome a debate on the banks and I note that representatives of Anglo Irish Bank, who appeared before the Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service today, categorically stated they would bail out no developer.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2009 (Certified Money Bill): Second Stage (28 May 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: We have often quoted Dickens in this House and it is worth remembering Mr. Micawber when he said: Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen nineteen six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds ought and six, result misery. We are in a slightly different situation today in so far as the annual income is €34 billion and the annual...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2009 (Certified Money Bill): Second Stage (28 May 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: Notwithstanding that, this year alone there has been deflation in the Irish economy. There has been a 3% increase in social welfare payments and deflation of up to 3%, which is a net 6% increase. It is as simple as that.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I ask the Leader for a debate on the economy. It appears that in recent months there has been an upturn in the markets internationally that is growing and consistent. The major indicators from the research authorities indicate that the upturn is real. In light of the fact that we are a small open economy and should be the first to benefit from any upturn, I seek a debate on the economy...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 May 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I would like to reiterate that I abhor all the findings in the Ryan report. I welcome the fact there appears to be some recognition among a large number of the religious institutions that they will actually try to do more. I hope the debate is conducted in a proper manner in this House. I trust we will not be hearing dúirt bean liom go ndúirt bean léi, hearsay evidence presented. We...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency: Statements (26 May 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I support the proposal on the National Asset Management Agency. I am conscious of the fact that the media will allow a view to be represented that the Government is going to bail out the banks, and will mention five or seven different areas where money is vitally needed. Do they really think that the Government, with so many political minds, has had collective amnesia? I admire some...

Seanad: Reappointment of Ombudsman and Information Commissioner: Motions (26 May 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I would like also to be associated with the good wishes expressed. I am pleased that Emily O'Reilly has been proposed for reappointment as Ombudsman. I am conscious that the original institution as ombudsman was set up in Sweden 200 years ago this year but we need the institution now more than ever. It is an institution that protects the most exposed and unprotected in the community. The...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 May 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: Like all the other speakers, I welcome the debate tomorrow on the Ryan report. I am conscious that it will give an opportunity to condemn the wrongdoing of some in the church. Notwithstanding that, I note that there could be a corruption of anger. On that corruption of anger, it is important to look at whether those who did wrong were doing so by instruction from the top, as happens, say,...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 May 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I agree with the calls for a debate on the report at the earliest opportunity. The report is harrowing and reflects certain aspects of Irish society dating back to the 1930s. There are 70 years of history in the report that is chilling and heartbreaking and on which we must act. The reality is that in Ireland until recently there was a certain exemption in people's mind's eye for certain...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: All Senators are receiving e-mails from people on inter-country adoptions. I accept it is a very sensitive and difficult time for them. I wish each of them every success. I have spoken to the Minister of State and I know he is anxious to conclude bilateral arrangements with Russia and Vietnam quickly. However, the e-mails are misrepresenting the facts regarding this House. The fact is...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: It has been misrepresented to these people and has become a charade. I refer to the positive news that is still available to us. I wish to ask the Leader for a debate on transport with particular emphasis on the Dublin Airport Authority. We will shortly have the second terminal at Dublin Airport which will add at least €30 million in running costs alone, not to mention the retail aspect...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Corporate Governance: Motion (13 May 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I note the wording of the motion, "That Seanad Éireann, recognising that Ireland is crippled by a lack of confidence, lack of confidence among consumers; lack of confidence among investors in our banks; lack of confidence in the Government; calls on the Government, as a step towards restoring confidence, to demonstrate its seriousness about rooting out corruption, corporate sleaze and crony...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 May 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I share the concerns expressed by my colleague, Senator Brady, regarding the excessive fees being charged by management companies. This area undoubtedly requires regulation.