Results 221-240 of 7,604 for speaker:James Bannon

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Feb 2003)

James Bannon: This is having a devastating effect on our tourism industry. Last year the number of pike anglers visiting Ireland dropped from 45,000 to 12,000. At present there is a boycott taking place on the Shannon waterways over the angling licensing permits. It is an issue that the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources should be invited to debate here.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)

James Bannon: I propose a vote of sympathy on the death of the late—

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)

James Bannon: I support the proposed amendment to the Order of Business. I did not get the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill in the mail because of the deteriorating postal service.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)

James Bannon: The Leader's proposal for the taking of Second Stage on the Bill is an insult to democracy and decent politicians. More time should be allowed for this debate.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2003)

James Bannon: We are not.

Seanad: Convention on the Future of Europe: Statements. (4 Mar 2003)

James Bannon: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Roche, and compliment him on his eloquent contribution. Treaties, charters, etc., are fine and no doubt our membership of the European Union has brought about stability and peace. However, Ireland has been a member state for 30 years and the majority of citizens still see it as a "them and us" situation. That was evident in the run-up to the recent...

Seanad: Convention on the Future of Europe: Statements. (4 Mar 2003)

James Bannon: Will the Minister of State give an indication in regard to the future of local government within an extended EU because there is little mention of it?

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

James Bannon: We are seeing a great deal of corruption.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

James Bannon: I am one of those in the House who did not get a copy of this Bill until I arrived here this morning, due to the deteriorating postal services in rural Ireland which should be looked into. I am disappointed by the fast tracking of this Bill through the House. Five years after the passing of the initial freedom of information legislation there is clearly a need for review. However, the...

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

James Bannon: Much of this trouble was caused or exacerbated by material which came into the public domain, either intentionally or otherwise, under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act. With the proposed ten-year lapse before Cabinet papers are released, no Fianna Fáil or Progressive Democrats documents will be released before the next general election. Is the Government now asking us, under...

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

James Bannon: Crucially, requests to see correspondence between Ministers will be refused in future if Departments rule that publication would affect the "free exchange of views between Ministers." This would have prevented publication last year of the Minister for Finance, Deputy McCreevy's complaints to the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, about the latter's spending. Under the newly...

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

James Bannon: What is the Government trying to conceal? Ministers are spending money in every part of the city on the refurbishment of their offices, looking after facilities for themselves when people are waiting three, four and five days on trolleys in hospitals throughout the country.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

James Bannon: Is this a caring Government? Some things never change. The former Taoiseach, Mr. Haughey, with his love for expensive shirts was a small beginning to what is going on today.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

James Bannon: It is unbelievable that a Government could attempt to limit the electorate's access to information in order to avoid further political embarrassment. The ready availability of and access to official information provided by and for the people and paid for by the taxpayer is not a privilege accorded by Government – it is a fundamental right of modern democracy. The Freedom of Information Act...

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

James Bannon: Where is the supposed cleansing party of Irish politics? It has gone out the window.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

James Bannon: The founding father of the Progressive Democrats must be sick to the teeth with the cynical and hypocritical move by the Tánaiste to smash and grab accountability and transparency to the people which her party pretended to protect.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

James Bannon: There is a lot of backtracking by the Progressive Democrats since the decent former leader of the party left the Dáil.

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

James Bannon: They are the progressive dictators of Irish society. They are abusing their powers and hoodwinking the citizens. They are standing idly by and allowing the public to be insulted by some of the contents of the Bill. The proposed amendment to the Act is a bad one that will allow corruption back into politics before the skeletons of the corrupt Fianna Fáil Governments of the past are burned....

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

James Bannon: Have the spin doctors given up on Senator Wilson?

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2003)

James Bannon: The Leader is becoming very ratty.