Results 301-320 of 394 for speaker:James Heffernan

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

James Heffernan: Water is a human right that should be available to all. I am an environmentalist and I am in favour of the conservation of water. I regard water as a very important natural resource that we should not squander in any shape or form and I support the metering of water. However, the way the situation has evolved creates more questions than answers. Given the whiff of corruption surrounding...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jul 2015)

James Heffernan: I agree with some of what Senator Byrne said. However, while Members of the House must be temperate in the issues they raise, the decision on what to cover is a matter for the media. The media have a poor record. They pick the ludicrous and ridiculous contributions made in the Seanad and report on them. There is no doubt that it makes something of a laughing stock of the House. Last...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jul 2015)

James Heffernan: Why?

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jul 2015)

James Heffernan: Legislation has been-----

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jul 2015)

James Heffernan: What about Siteserv?

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jul 2015)

James Heffernan: It is probably something we should bring in.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jul 2015)

James Heffernan: The next one will be President.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jul 2015)

James Heffernan: I am grateful to finally be able to speak.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jul 2015)

James Heffernan: There is, but-----

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jul 2015)

James Heffernan: I think I probably am too. As a non-aligned Independent, I do not get a great deal of speaking time. That needs to be looked at. Perhaps it should be written into the Order Paper that we should get a better shot at speaking.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jul 2015)

James Heffernan: Last month, Philomena Lee, of the Philomena Lee Foundation, received the Fitzgerald Bible Bruff Award. Her story is not unique. It is the story of many women and children on these shores. In Ireland, we have a shameful and diabolical way of treating victims of institutional abuse in particular. This morning, I met with many of the survivors of the Magdalen laundries. There are a number...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jul 2015)

James Heffernan: A cold-blooded murder.

Seanad: One-Parent Family Payment: Motion (15 Jul 2015)

James Heffernan: This is the most off-putting thing I have seen. The cuts to lone parents are quite off-putting.

Seanad: One-Parent Family Payment: Motion (15 Jul 2015)

James Heffernan: Shameful.

Seanad: One-Parent Family Payment: Motion (15 Jul 2015)

James Heffernan: I thank Senator van Turnhout for sharing time with me. I see a great deal of Labour Party bashing going on today.

Seanad: One-Parent Family Payment: Motion (15 Jul 2015)

James Heffernan: Yes there is and there is a bit of politicking going on as well, Mary.

Seanad: One-Parent Family Payment: Motion (15 Jul 2015)

James Heffernan: Senator White.

Seanad: One-Parent Family Payment: Motion (15 Jul 2015)

James Heffernan: There is politicking going on. Certainly, it has been a dreadful decision by the Labour Party, which many of its members have recognised. Former colleagues of mine have told me of fraught Labour Parliamentary Party meetings and I just cannot fathom where the party thought it was going with this. There was a wave of goodwill after the marriage equality referendum, but then this was lashed...

Seanad: Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (16 Jul 2015)

James Heffernan: I have spoken on Irish Water previously. It seems to be business as usual. The Government is treating this House and the other House with absolute disdain, as it did before the Christmas recess. It is doing the same now before the summer recess. It is doing this to drive through very unpopular legislation that does not sit well with the public in the hope that the dust will settle over...

Seanad: Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (16 Jul 2015)

James Heffernan: Yes, Third World countries. That only 43% of people have paid so far is an indictment of the entire Irish Water project and it is probably time it was put on the shelf with the e-voting machines and other projects that have been a total waste of money. I agree with Senator Mary Ann O'Brien. A far more important environmental issue should be included in this miscellaneous provisions Bill,...