Results 261-280 of 7,604 for speaker:James Bannon

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

James Bannon: That is what we were told.

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

James Bannon: An Bord Pleanála gave permission for the construction of the first incinerator. It did so without consideration of the health risks or the risk to the environment.

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

James Bannon: It is in relation to this motion.

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

James Bannon: The next step will be to impose incineration on the people. The Minister is taking the powers away from the locally elected representatives and he has not introduced any real reform since he took office.

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

James Bannon: This is destroying public confidence in the system of local government. If local authorities are to manage their affairs properly, funding must be provided for recycling and better waste management systems, such as bottle banks. Elected members are crucial for the effectiveness of local government. I cannot see how any right-minded Senator in this House who came up through the local...

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

James Bannon: All except—

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

James Bannon: It is the officials— (Interruptions).

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

James Bannon: The Minister will.

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

James Bannon: Are we living in a democracy or a dictatorship?

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

James Bannon: Until tonight I thought local government was an essential element in the democratic state – the machinery by which important services are provided. The Minister has stamped on and smothered local government by taking powers away from the elected members and giving them to the manager, who is being allowed to dictate to them. Councillors are most vexed and angered by what is taking place....

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (5 Mar 2003)

James Bannon: How would he like it if Brussels ran his affairs? The real problem with local government today is reform of the funding structures. The Minister has failed to recognise that. Successive Ministers in the Department took power from the local authority in regard to rates and other types of charges. These powers have been centralised and the Minister is continuing the process, which is shameful...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Mar 2003)

James Bannon: I ask the Leader to invite the Tánaiste to come to the House for a debate on the implications of the recently announced changes in national policy in relation to community employment schemes, FÁS schemes, the back to work enterprise allowance schemes and the back to work employment schemes. In recent times there has been a cut of 13,000 in community employment schemes and we are promised a...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Mar 2003)

James Bannon: There is a great deal of public disquiet. People who give their time voluntarily to those schemes are very disheartened by the manner in which they are being cut.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Mar 2003)

James Bannon: I agree with the amendment as it will help to maintain the relevance of the Seanad. Politics is concerned with helping people in their local communities. It is all about leading, helping, supporting and looking after them in their communities. A Senator does not have a constituency as such, but we represent our counties and local authorities and as Oireachtas Members take pride in them....

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Mar 2003)

James Bannon: The Minister referred to parties, other parties, party politics, our past views and present views but in this life nothing is permanent except change. The Minister has changed several times in life, has taken different stances and has even changed political parties.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Mar 2003)

James Bannon: Fianna Fáil adopted our policies on the Northern Ireland issue after years of being in an intransigent position. The Tallaght strategy brought about the Celtic tiger and this was a Fine Gael policy introduced by Alan Dukes.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Mar 2003)

James Bannon: That policy was good for Ireland and the economy and it gave us great standing in Europe. That was the foundation for the Celtic tiger and for good government over ten years. It was started by the collective political parties. I was interested to hear the Minister say the role of councillors will be more or less a full-time job. Does he plan to reduce the number of councillors and is he...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Mar 2003)

James Bannon: On a point of order, I do not understand from where Senator White is coming. There is nothing in the legislation or in the rules of my party barring women from entering politics. Any woman can contest an election.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Mar 2003)

James Bannon: Senator White is insinuating that women are not allowed to contest elections.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Mar 2003)

James Bannon: It was not about pay.