Results 2,061-2,080 of 7,604 for speaker:James Bannon

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

James Bannon: He marched in protest at the Government's ——

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

James Bannon: Senator Leyden, in the last few minutes, insulted the elderly and home help and he should withdraw that insult.

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

James Bannon: The Minister failed to supply accurate figures despite promising to do so. Last July, the Tánaiste promised she would clarify the figures. When the Fine Gael spokesman, Deputy Twomey, pointed out that 2 million hours of home help were cut, the Minister said it was incorrect. However, she has failed to clarify the position in this regard. I would like to compliment the voluntary sector on its...

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

James Bannon: The Minister of State spoke about the agreement with the unions, etc., but it has not been implemented. Agreements made with the unions have been reneged on. I know from members of unions that they are not happy with what staff who work in home help are paid.

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

James Bannon: It is shameful treatment. I hope, on behalf of carers, the elderly, the sick and the handicapped throughout the country that the Minister of State will take note of what has been said today and implement the policies outlined in the interests of the elderly and home helps. I am calling on the Minister of State to do so or he will not survive the next general election. Amendment put.

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Oct 2005)

James Bannon: Senator Morrissey has been consistent in his criticism of Government transport policy. The Deputy Leader should invite the Minister for Transport to come to the House to debate this issue. Last week, the Government allowed CIE to increase its fares to something in the region of 10%, which is shameful. If someone wishes to go on a Sunday day trip from Dublin to Belfast, it will cost him or her...

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Oct 2005)

James Bannon: It says very little for North-South co-operation.

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Oct 2005)

James Bannon: Senator Coghlan referred to the fact that €4.5 million worth of freight carriages have been sold for scrap, which should be addressed. The fact that Iarnród Éireann is getting out of the freight business will put additional pressure on our road infrastructure.

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Oct 2005)

James Bannon: It also has serious implications for road safety so I am calling for a debate on this issue.

Seanad: Genealogical Projects. (20 Oct 2005)

James Bannon: I thank the Minister of State for taking this matter on the Adjournment, which I am sure he will agree is important to people providing a service in genealogy. Genealogy is the key that unlocks the mysteries of our past and in doing so makes sense of our present. As Aristotle said, if you would understand anything, observe its beginnings and its developments. With an estimated 60 million...

Seanad: Genealogical Projects. (20 Oct 2005)

James Bannon: My concern is that other genealogical projects are being ignored in favour of the Irish Genealogical Project. The man to whom I have referred provides a very important service, and the Cathaoirleach has been given one of his books. He does so at very low cost, and perhaps the Minister might consider forcing funding through the aegis of the national development plan, the tourism budget, the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Oct 2005)

James Bannon: I extend my sympathy to the family of the late Liam Lawlor. It is recognised that 95% of Irish journalists are honest and decent people who are very annoyed by some of the press coverage of Mr. Lawlor's death. It is unfortunate that we must establish an independent press council to deal with a few rotten apples. The majority of journalists I have spoken to were as appalled by the stories that...

Seanad: Health Service Reform. (25 Oct 2005)

James Bannon: I welcome the Minister of State to the House for this Adjournment matter. As he is aware, there is a major democratic deficit in the delivery of health services in local areas since the abolition of the health boards. The provision of carers, home help, child care, etc., and the establishment of clinic appointments are being unduly delayed in a large number of areas. While heretofore,...

Seanad: Health Service Reform. (25 Oct 2005)

James Bannon: Could the Minister of State give me a timeframe?

Seanad: Health Service Reform. (25 Oct 2005)

James Bannon: Will it be as soon as possible?

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Oct 2005)

James Bannon: I compliment the work of Mr. Justice Murphy. I read some of the report and the contents are dreadful and shocking. It is important the Government implements the recommendations of this report without delay because, as we are all aware, it is a rough time for the victims. On the issue raised by Senator Cox, I was disappointed with the response I received yesterday evening——

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Oct 2005)

James Bannon: ——on my local health board.

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Oct 2005)

James Bannon: I would support a debate on the establishment of the local health forums. We must soon debate balanced regional development. The gateway and hub towns were established but there has been no real effort to develop links between the towns. In the midlands, for instances, there are three large towns of city status — Mullingar, Athlone and Tullamore, but the link roads between them are in a...

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Oct 2005)

James Bannon: I have.

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Oct 2005)

James Bannon: It would serve the Leader's interests as well because it would cover Longford and Westmeath.