Results 181-200 of 996 for speaker:John Gerard Hanafin

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Mar 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: It is shameful to imply that doing business with Fianna Fáil is taking 30 pieces of silver.

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Mar 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: Shameful.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Mar 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: As the third most globalised economy, after the city state of Singapore and the special administrative area of Hong Kong, Ireland has a major interest in the upturn in the global economy. There are clear signs that the global economy is moving forward, especially with the February import and export figures from China and the feeling that this is a major contributor to world economic...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: I ask the Leader for a debate on the HSE and, in particular, to focus on the possibility of reintroducing the health boards. At present the people feel they are dealing with a monolithic organisation and perhaps it is time to look again at the real value of the health boards with which the people felt a real connection. I am conscious that at that time councillors from all political parties...

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Mar 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: Like previous speakers, I wish to raise with the Leader the question of the Intoxicating Liquor Act. I am very much in favour of keeping the status quo. I am quite mindful that we have pluralism in this country but notwithstanding that, when in Rome we do as the Romans do. If we went to the UK or Denmark and there was a jubilee for the monarch, we would show respect for that. It is not...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Mar 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: I ask the Leader for a debate on pensions, particularly in the light of the announcement made yesterday. I welcome that announcement, as hundreds of thousands will be allowed to qualify for a pension. It is difficult to say who will be the best people to manage the scheme. Those involved will receive an annual statement and be directly involved in the investment. There are only three...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Mar 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: I ask the Leader to allow a debate, as has been called for this morning, on the political format because there have been suggestions of cronyism, a lack of vision and jobs for the boys from the Opposition benches, in particular from Fine Gael. There are many new Members here. I ask if that is the same Fine Gael who, on leaving Government in 1997, filled every committee, sub-board and chair——

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Mar 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: They filled every single board they could fill. They were ringing around the country looking for members——

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Mar 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: ——to see if they were interested in taking up the positions, leaving a scorched earth policy for the incoming Government.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Mar 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: That is the reality of what happened.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Mar 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: The question is if that is the same Workers Party which did a reverse take-over of the Labour Party. That was quite an achievement for a socialist party.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Mar 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: There are important matters to be debated, including banking, and an excellent suggestion was made earlier.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Mar 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: I commend Senator Butler for putting forward the suggestion. Many foreign banks have pulled out of this country. We have banks that have large assets abroad. I share the view that those assets should be sold and that money brought back to Ireland. We should include in that the National Treasury Management Agency. Any funds we have abroad should be brought home to be invested in Ireland....

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Mar 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: I ask the Leader for a debate on the current situation in the public service in which there is industrial action. Unfortunately, this week there seems to have been an escalation. Heretofore, there was a manageable and coherent strategy but this week there is a move towards party political bias in the public service. I ask the public service to seriously consider what it is trying to...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Feb 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: Yesterday, the restraint unions in general have shown was quite properly raised on the Order of Business. It is only right that restraint should be shown. The unions have been asked to undertake a task of bearing the responsibility of ensuring that the economy does not crumble. In fairness, notwithstanding a few exceptions, this has been upheld and it would be worthwhile for this House to...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Feb 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: The European Union has insisted that shares be taken rather than cash. With this in mind, the subject is worthy of debate.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Feb 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: I join other Senators in calling for a debate on banking. I am particularly conscious of the calls made today to focus on the lack of credit. While Opposition Members have rightly focused on this issue, they are incorrect to question whether it is a good idea for the banks to retain €250 million rather than give bank shares to the Government. That sum of money could allow lending of...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Feb 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: Will the Leader inquire if the newly appointed Irish Commissioner, Mrs. Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, would agree to attend a sitting of the Seanad to discuss her excellent portfolio and the opportunities for Ireland within it? It would be particularly useful at this time. Unfortunately, the Opposition seems to spend its time floundering around in pursuit of the next big thing that the media will...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Feb 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: I support Senator Coghlan's call for balance in debate, in particular when speaking about the Catholic Church. This House is ad idem about the terrible fact that child abuse took place and was undertaken by certain members of different churches. I am also conscious abuse is against the rules, diktats and the specific teaching of every church and is considered a most heinous crime. This is...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Feb 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: I support those who spoke previously about innovation and job creation that are necessary for the economy. I am conscious in particular that the existence of this Chamber potentially has a question mark over it. What we do in this Chamber and how we do our work for the next term will be important. I suggest to the Deputy Leader that we continue to have debates on the economy, in particular...