Results 201-220 of 891 for speaker:John Minihan

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Jul 2003)

John Minihan: That is the Leader's role. (Interruptions).

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Jul 2003)

John Minihan: I wish to raise the matter of a young student who is studying government and public policy in University College Cork. Part of the course involved a work placement which, for this student, was a ten week period of work in the Irish immigration centre in Boston. On arrival in Boston, however, and despite his documentation being correct, he was interrogated, accused of being a member of various...

Seanad: Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003 [ Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil ] : Report and Final Stages. (4 Jul 2003)

John Minihan: I too join previous speakers in thanking the Minister for the action he has taken in introducing the Bill. We have had numerous debates in this House about the consequences of under age drinking, and the points have been well made, but the question that is continuously asked is what action does the Government intend to take? This Minister is serious about his role, the influence he wants to...

Seanad: Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments: Motion. (4 Jul 2003)

John Minihan: I join previous speakers in complimenting Mr. Justice Flood on his work to date. There is no doubt that the manner in which he approached his task and his interim report and the manner in which it was received was an eye-opener for many but, more importantly, it was a good public service. We should never lose sight of the fact that despite comments about tribunal fatigue and that the costs...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Oct 2003)

John Minihan: I will start where I finished during the last session by appealing to the Leader about the Cork School of Music. When I spoke here before we broke up for the summer recess, I pointed out that we would face industrial action in the autumn. That industrial action has commenced and is still unresolved. I appeal to the Leader to get a definitive direction and answer from the Minister for...

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Oct 2003)

John Minihan: I too would like to join with previous speakers in calling for a debate on the Middle East. I suggest that two debates are warranted. To include the entire question of Iraq, Israel and Palestine in one debate is far too wide and encompasses too many disparate issues. Given our upcoming Presidency of the EU there is much service to be done here to the Government by having such a frank debate...

Seanad: Fishery Policy: Statements. (15 Oct 2003)

John Minihan: I congratulate the Minister, the Minister of State and their officials on the results they achieved at Monday's Council of Ministers meeting in Luxembourg. It was not looking good for a while but everyone agrees that the outcome was very positive. The tactical game played was successful and no greater accolade or confirmation of the achievement can be made than the generous praise from the...

Seanad: Fishery Policy: Statements. (15 Oct 2003)

John Minihan: One would hope this is not so and that the reason for the transfer is to give us a better fishing industry but clarification is required on that point. While I can see some merit in such an amalgamation, surely an integrated body like BIM, with decades of experience in developing the fishing industry from catching fish to marketing them, represents the best option for maximising jobs and...

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Oct 2003)

John Minihan: They would not make the decision.

Seanad: Order of Business. - OECD Education Report: Statements. (16 Oct 2003)

John Minihan: I join previous speakers in welcoming the Minister of State to the House for this important debate. The need to improve the quality of education is voiced frequently in political circles. This is to be expected and I support this call. When I see an international report on educational matters, I listen to understand where we are in relation to our neighbours and whether we are ahead, behind...

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Oct 2003)

John Minihan: I would not like the day to pass without referring briefly to the situation in Northern Ireland. I acknowledge and respect the views expressed by Senator Brian Hayes and I wish both Governments well as they try to overcome the current impasse. I also welcome the commitment to holding elections in Northern Ireland in November and I hope we will see an Executive coming out of those elections. I...

Seanad: National Task Force on Medical Staffing: Statements. (22 Oct 2003)

John Minihan: I join previous speakers in welcoming the Minister. Health service reform is long overdue and nobody can defend the status quo. We now have three major reports setting out a clear reform agenda. The Brennan report deals with accountability and improving financial management; the Prospectus report deals with the organisational structures; and the Hanly report deals with NCHD working hours, the...

Seanad: National Task Force on Medical Staffing: Statements. (22 Oct 2003)

John Minihan: I said I would not support that call regardless of the side of the House from which it came. The Government and the Minister have a responsibility to provide a modern dynamic health system in the interest of all the people serves the needs of patients, who must be put first, and not self-political interest. I congratulate the Minister on his initiatives today. I wish him success in the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Oct 2003)

John Minihan: Where are the Fine Gael Members?

Seanad: Humanitarian Issues in Post-War Iraq: Statements. (4 Nov 2003)

John Minihan: I do not need 12 minutes.

Seanad: Humanitarian Issues in Post-War Iraq: Statements. (4 Nov 2003)

John Minihan: I have no difficulty with that. I wish to share three minutes of my time with Senator White.

Seanad: Humanitarian Issues in Post-War Iraq: Statements. (4 Nov 2003)

John Minihan: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and compliment him on his speech, his ongoing commitment to his portfolio and on the provision of humanitarian aid to Iraq. It is vital that we continue as a House of the Oireachtas to debate Iraq and highlight issues we feel are important. We cannot abdicate our international responsibilities particularly to the less well off. It is often said...

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Nov 2003)

John Minihan: That is correct.

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Nov 2003)

John Minihan: I join previous speakers in calling for a debate on the arts – we have not had such a debate to date – to allow me the opportunity to highlight the plight of the Cork School of Music, which I have highlighted on a number of occasions. Equally, I wish to join with Senator Lydon in calling for a debate on stem cell research. However, I disagree fundamentally with what he said. It is...

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Nov 2003)

John Minihan: The matter needs to be clarified straightaway because the last thing we want here is a fractured debate that is not based on facts. If one makes statements such as that made by Senator Lydon, one should quote specifically the legislative basis on which the statement is based. My understanding is that we are still awaiting interpretation of the Constitution and a Supreme Court ruling on this...