Results 361-380 of 891 for speaker:John Minihan

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Oct 2005)

John Minihan: I join with Senator McCarthy in seeking a debate on immigration policy. It would serve the House well if the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform came here to discuss this issue and progress in policy on asylum seekers. We all acknowledge the emotional side of the case referred to by Senator McCarthy. However, we should be fair and present the facts of this case as they are. The...

Seanad: Home Help Service: Motion. (19 Oct 2005)

John Minihan: I welcome the Minister of State and am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this debate. The Opposition's claim, in the introductory sentence of this motion, that a contribution to society such as that made by home help services could go "unrecognised" is beyond comprehension. Home help provides aid to older people, families in stress and difficulty, those with disabilities, other...

Seanad: Home Help Service: Motion. (19 Oct 2005)

John Minihan: I mentioned earlier that international research suggests the life of a person can be extended by up to two years if care is delivered in the home. There is another, perhaps more critical, element to this. It is the Government's policy to provide community-based supports to enable people to live in dignity in their own homes and communities, in accordance with their wishes, for as long as...

Seanad: Home Help Service: Motion. (19 Oct 2005)

John Minihan: That is two hours more than my father receives.

Seanad: Domestic Violence: Statements. (13 Oct 2005)

John Minihan: There are times topics come before us when it is difficult to know where to start. This topic is so disturbing that I reflect on it and wonder how to make a valuable contribution on the task facing us. I spoke here on the issue in January of last year and referred to the physical and psychological marks and scars which domestic violence leaves and which one person can inflict on another. I...

Seanad: European Union: Statements. (13 Oct 2005)

John Minihan: I appreciate the few minutes I have been allowed to speak on this topic and I welcome the Taoiseach to the House. Like many of the other speakers, I will refer to Turkey's proposed membership of the European Union, the constitution, the role of parliaments and the issue of subsidiarity. After a campaign of some 40 years, Turkey has officially entered membership talks with the European Union....

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Oct 2005)

John Minihan: Senator Brian Hayes and a number of other Members raised the issue of the recent court awards to Frank Shortt. We all acknowledge and recognise that awards are a matter for the courts. Senator Brian Hayes asked that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform be requested to come before the House to debate legislation on this issue. We will ask the Minister to do so but court awards are...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Oct 2005)

John Minihan: The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on domestic violence, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business and to conclude no later than 1 p.m., with contributions of spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes and those of other Senators not to exceed seven minuteiis — Senators may share time and the Minister will be called on to reply no later than five minutes before the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Oct 2005)

John Minihan: More than most.

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Oct 2005)

John Minihan: That is a jaded line from Senator Bannon.

Seanad: Northern Ireland Issues: Statements. (6 Oct 2005)

John Minihan: My colleague Senator Dardis has outlined the views of the Progressive Democrats so I will avoid duplication. I extend congratulations to the Taoiseach on his statement in the House today and on the role he has played in bringing the process to its present stage. The announcement of the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning that it has overseen the completion of IRA...

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy. (5 Oct 2005)

John Minihan: I thank the Cathaoirleach for the opportunity to speak. I join with previous speakers in acknowledging the great contribution to public life in Cork of the late Liam Burke. As Senator Ryan said, those of us from Cork knew him as "Burkie". I got to know him in 1999 when I was elected to Cork City Council. Liam was very much the father figure on the council and often offered a word of advice...

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy. (5 Oct 2005)

John Minihan: I extend my condolences to Liam's family and endorse the kind sentiments expressed about him. In this case they are all true. He was parochial in his thinking, promoted Cork and crossed party divides. During those long nights discussing council budgets and so on, Liam always worked behind the scenes and he carried that dedication through his political career. As Senator Brian Hayes said, his...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Sep 2005)

John Minihan: I never noticed.

Seanad: Garda Investigations: Motion. (28 Sep 2005)

John Minihan: I also welcome the Minister to the House and congratulate Fine Gael for tabling this motion. I am delighted it is now a composite motion to which all Members can agree and support. No one who is aware of my views and those of the Progressive Democrats will be surprised that I will use this opportunity to restate my absolute belief that our democracy must be carefully protected from the...

Seanad: Early Childhood Education: Statements. (28 Sep 2005)

John Minihan: I welcome the Minister of State and his officials to the House. The importance of education in early childhood is recognised by all. By means of my party's manifesto and An Agreed Programme for Government, the Government has sought to bring together the complex areas of childhood education, child poverty and child care, to ensure that all that can be done is being done. Our objectives are...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2005)

John Minihan: It is about time.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2005)

John Minihan: The constituency should have been abolished.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2005)

John Minihan: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. The setting of electoral boundaries and seat numbers has in the past been a process that has led to some of the most extraordinary political machinations in many countries. The names Elbridge Gerry and Ireland's own James Tully have become forever associated with the more intriguing side of boundary setting. Some would claim that politics has now...

Seanad: Inspector of Prisons Reports: Motion. (22 Jun 2005)

John Minihan: I, too, welcome the Minister of State to the House. Like previous speakers I would also like to know the recommendations made by the Inspector of Prisons and Places of Detention for 2003 and 2004. Members should note that this is but one of 17 such reports received by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform since the Inspector of Prisons, Mr. Justice Kinlen, was appointed. As...