Results 281-300 of 394 for speaker:James Heffernan

Seanad: Order of Business (27 May 2015)

James Heffernan: I do not think it is something that the communities in Shanagolden, Foynes, Loughill, Ballyhahill and other areas in west Limerick will stand for and want.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 May 2015)

James Heffernan: I call for that waste management debate, which should happen sooner rather than later.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 May 2015)

James Heffernan: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Waste Disposal (28 May 2015)

James Heffernan: I welcome the Minister of State. There was confusion within the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government yesterday when I proposed this item. It did not understand whether it came under its remit or that of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. That says it all about this gasification technology, that senior people in Departments are unaware...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Waste Disposal (28 May 2015)

James Heffernan: I thank the Minister of State for her reply. The last part of her reply says it all when gasification and incineration are put in one bracket. That is what people fear, certainly in Ballyhahill, Foynes, Shanagolden and such areas, as they see them as all the one. I cannot see how this will improve the 2020 targets in the slightest. The Minister of State mentioned other renewable sources...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Waste Disposal (28 May 2015)

James Heffernan: Judging from what I have heard from the EPA, I am not confident that it can fulfil that role, given that it has immunity from prosecution, which is an issue that the Department needs to look at. That has been raised here by me and others on a number of occasions and is the big elephant in the room. I do not see how the response from the Government can inspire confidence in this plant.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Waste Disposal (28 May 2015)

James Heffernan: It is certainly a matter that the Department needs to get to grips with, because this is going to become a big issue.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2015)

James Heffernan: To follow on from what my two Fianna Fáil colleagues have said about Aer Lingus, a debate today is essential. As other colleagues have said, Senator Sean Barrett will be busy at the banking inquiry this afternoon and will not be here. In fairness, Senator Barrett is one of the few independent voices on this issue. He is a man who makes quite a lot of sense and is someone who should be...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jun 2015)

James Heffernan: I wish to speak about an article that is being widely reported in today's media about the presentation given to Amnesty International's seminar yesterday by the master of the National Maternity Hospital, Dr. Rhona Mahony. If anyone knows anything about pregnancy and pre-natal practice, it is she. She is certainly an expert on the subject. It confirmed the fears I had about the Protection...

Seanad: Draft Commission of Investigation (Certain matters concerning transactions entered into by IBRC) Order 2015: Motion (10 Jun 2015)

James Heffernan: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009: Motion (11 Jun 2015)

James Heffernan: It is very interesting to hear the Sinn Féin comments on the Special Criminal Court. I commend this motion and wish to put my support for it on the record of the House. I understand it is a tough task trying to deal with organised crime. My own city of Limerick has been plagued by criminal gangs for a long time. I would argue, however, that one of the biggest criminal gangs operating...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Jun 2015)

James Heffernan: I join other Members in offering my sincerest condolences to the families of the victims of the terrible tragedy that occurred in Berkeley, California, in the early hours of this morning. It is every parent's nightmare and it has shaken all of us. I raise the issue of the "Collusion" programme broadcast last night, which other Members raised also. This was state-sponsored murder by loyalist...

Seanad: Junior Cycle Reform: Motion (17 Jun 2015)

James Heffernan: I make this contribution as a student of history, a subject in which I have been interested since I was knee-high to a grasshopper. Young people should be interested in history. If we do not understand or have knowledge of our past and the mistakes we made, we will not be in a position to create the brighter future to which we aspire. Irish people are surrounded by history, whether in the...

Seanad: Growing Tourism to 2025: Statements (1 Jul 2015)

James Heffernan: I thank Senator Bradford for sharing time. As the Minister knows, I am from County Limerick and the city has had a very successful year being the capital of culture. It got off to a shaky start but things were ironed out. I ask the Department to support the 2020 bid for the European capital of culture. People in Limerick often feel forgotten about when it comes to the Government. The...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jul 2015)

James Heffernan: I do not intend to go on too long. We have heard a lot about the incidents last night on Kildare Street. I attended that protest earlier in the day. I listened to many of the speeches made from the podium which came from a wide variety of different groups, such as those who were there concerned about the cuts to lone parents and those from Right2Water, We Won't Pay, support the boycott and...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jul 2015)

James Heffernan: I would support Senator Mooney's call that No. 67, motion 16, be taken today because this issue must be discussed and teased out.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jul 2015)

James Heffernan: I formally second it.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jul 2015)

James Heffernan: They do not represent the IRSP, Éirigí or any of those.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Jul 2015)

James Heffernan: I support the point made by Senator Paul Coghlan. I have said a few times in this House that the criminal organisations we are talking about are largely run by the Provisional IRA. Whatever difficulties they pose for small businesses, the threats, intimidation and tactics they use to control and subjugate their own communities are quite abhorrent. There does not seem to be a massive amount...

Seanad: Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Second Stage (8 Jul 2015)

James Heffernan: Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill has highlighted the elephant in the room with regard to Irish Water. This legislation seems to be set up to make the company more profitable and more interesting to speculators in the open market. I remember at Christmas when the original Bill was introduced we were told that all kinds of safeguards would be included to ensure Irish Water would remain in...