Results 281-300 of 891 for speaker:John Minihan

Seanad: Dormant Accounts: Motion. (25 Feb 2004)

John Minihan: There were also some nice comments about my party and I heard them with interest. In the course of this debate, phrases such as status quo were used and it was suggested that the status quo should be maintained. However, the status quo has changed. When this fund was established, people thought it would amount to approximately €30 million. While I can understand the political concerns of...

Seanad: Higher Education: Motion. (3 Mar 2004)

John Minihan: I move: That Seanad Éireann: —noting that the aim of the Lisbon Agenda is to make Europe the world's most dynamic knowledge based economy, —conscious of Ireland's objective of placing the Irish education system in the top rank of the OECD in terms of both quality and level of participation, and —anxious to maintain quality, responsiveness and competitiveness as a priority in higher...

Seanad: Higher Education: Motion. (3 Mar 2004)

John Minihan: I might join the Senator on his side.

Seanad: Higher Education: Motion. (3 Mar 2004)

John Minihan: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the Seanad and placing on record the views of the Department of Education and Science. It is interesting that some of the previous speakers were critical that there was not going to be a speech from the Minister of State, and I hope they will take time to read it, as it might address some of their concerns.

Seanad: Higher Education: Motion. (3 Mar 2004)

John Minihan: The motion was tabled in the hope that it would afford Members of the House an opportunity to make known their views, which, it is to be hoped, the OECD review group would consider and take on board. I welcome the fact that the motion has not been opposed, but I am somewhat disappointed that many Members, particularly in the Opposition, did not avail themselves of the opportunity to speak to...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (4 Mar 2004)

John Minihan: I join previous speakers in welcoming the Minister, Deputy McDowell, to the House and thanking him for introducing the Bill here. He has spent a lot of time approaching the Bill in an open and consultative manner, and the fruits of those endeavours are seen in the cross-party support for the initiative he has taken. Two main objectives of the Bill are to reform the legislative structure...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2004)

John Minihan: I ask the Leader for a debate on education, given the figures published today with regard to CAO applications. The drop in numbers is significant and this is likely to continue until 2007. The points commission reported in 1999 and recommended changes to the access system, which have not been implemented. That sluggishness in implementing those changes has contributed directly to these...

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

John Minihan: The Senator should not forget Deputy O'Keeffe's letter about the prison visiting committees when he is listing his letters.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

John Minihan: Senator Bannon should drop the script and substantiate what he said.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

John Minihan: The Senator should list the people he is mentioning.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

John Minihan: One clear message from this evening's debate is that whereas we are all aware of the demise of Fine Gael the party has obviously only now realised this and is looking for changes to the system. It has been so grief-stricken at not being in Government and seeing no prospect of returning there that it is trying to change the systems of governance.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

John Minihan: Senator Bannon is much better when he speaks from the heart rather than from a script given to him. At least we get some entertainment out of that. In reciting the list he had I am amazed that he overlooked several key points, including the infamous letter from one of his colleagues in the Dáil vis-À-vis prison visiting committees. Not alone did this person want someone appointed, but the...

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

John Minihan: Senator Bannon made a statement about the Progressive Democrats but he has not substantiated it.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

John Minihan: The Senator should substantiate it then.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

John Minihan: I am quite willing to share my time with Senator Bannon.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

John Minihan: Senator Bannon also failed to acknowledge the appointment of a former Member of this House, Maurice Manning, to the Human Rights Commission, and the appointment of Alan Dukes to the Agricultural Review Group.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

John Minihan: He also failed to mention the appointment of Mairead McGuinness who is now seeking the Fine Gael nomination as a candidate for the European elections.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

John Minihan: That shows that Government works.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

John Minihan: By their own admission the Fine Gael Senators have said we were putting quality people into quality jobs.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

John Minihan: Senator Cummins can dish it out, now he has to take it as well.