Results 321-340 of 891 for speaker:John Minihan

Seanad: High Level of Alcohol Consumption by Young People: Statements. (1 Apr 2004)

John Minihan: I welcome the Minister of State to the House for this important and ongoing debate. I too spoke in this debate in December 2002 but there are still a number of points I would like to make. We all agree that social drinking of alcohol is an integral part of Irish life. Alcohol can, and regularly does, lead to problems for individuals and the wider community when it is abused. In recent years,...

Seanad: Citizenship Rights for Non-Nationals: Motion (7 Apr 2004)

John Minihan: I second the Government amendment. Timing is everything. If one does not get timing right, one is either too late or too early. Unfortunately, this evening's debate falls into both categories. It is too late to affect the Government decision to hold a referendum on 11 June, given that the Government took the decision yesterday, and it is too early to have an informed discussion on the...

Seanad: Citizenship Rights for Non-Nationals: Motion (7 Apr 2004)

John Minihan: For those Senators who have not experienced such a situation, I will say why I formed the opinion I did and why I spoke out against racism. I do so in the hope that the lesson I learned will serve as a reminder to some and a warning to others, between now and 11 June. I attended a public meeting in Cork on a proposed location for the housing of asylum seekers. I heard there the most extreme...

Seanad: Citizenship Rights for Non-Nationals: Motion (7 Apr 2004)

John Minihan: I disagree. This is a matter of public record as it was published in every newspaper in the country.

Seanad: Citizenship Rights for Non-Nationals: Motion (7 Apr 2004)

John Minihan: I have been named consistently in the Lower House over the past several days on this issue.

Seanad: Citizenship Rights for Non-Nationals: Motion (7 Apr 2004)

John Minihan: I will not refer to Deputy O'Flynn again, a Leas-Chathaoirligh. I sleep with a clear conscience on this issue. I did not want to be elected to the Dáil on the back of the misfortune of others.

Seanad: Citizenship Rights for Non-Nationals: Motion (7 Apr 2004)

John Minihan: I am glad it was isolated to Cork city. However, I appeal to all Members to prevent this debate being replicated in such an outrageous manner throughout the country on 11 June. Have I reservations about having thereferendum on 11 June? Any Member would have reservations if he or she had a similar experience. The Government has made a decision which I respect. I hope the referendum can be...

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Apr 2004)

John Minihan: This is a typical case of NIMBY syndrome, not in my back yard.

Seanad: Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (30 Apr 2004)

John Minihan: I welcome the Minister to the House. He should be congratulated on the amount of time he spends in the House partaking in debates. I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate. Unfortunately, much of the discussion to date has centred on the timing on this referendum rather than on the substance of the proposal. I hope that with the definitive decision to hold the referendum on 11...

Seanad: Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (30 Apr 2004)

John Minihan: Will the Senator name the wishy-washy types?

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 May 2004)

John Minihan: I support the calls by Senator Brian Hayes with regard to Allied Irish Banks. It is disturbing that the overcharging of customers was known at departmental level some two years ago. What action was taken, if any, to correct this must be made known. Those who were cut short must be refunded. If we want to have a credible view of our banking system, serious action must be taken as this happens...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 May 2004)

John Minihan: For a country that spoke of support of the efforts in Iraq, Ireland is best placed as a friend of the US. The Minister for Foreign Affairs should seek a meeting with the US ambassador and voice our concerns with what is happening in Iraq. If the US cannot listen to states that have supported it in principle, there is no hope of having a responsible war on terrorism.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 May 2004)

John Minihan: What about giving it back to the people who were overcharged?

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 May 2004)

John Minihan: I endorse the comments of the previous speakers. I spoke on this issue in the House last week and I ask the Leader again to convey to the Minister for Foreign Affairs that the time has come for us to be seen to take action. We should voice our concerns. The Minister should talk to the US ambassador and we should have a commitment from the Government, particularly the Taoiseach, that this...

Seanad: Good Friday Agreement: Motion. (19 May 2004)

John Minihan: I echo previous speakers in welcoming the Minister to the House this evening for this important debate and I congratulate him on his recent speech, The Challenge to our Republican Values. I am sorry that it was not published in full by our newspapers. I encourage Members and the public to read it because it is a history lesson which all Irish people should take on board and study very...

Seanad: Good Friday Agreement: Motion. (19 May 2004)

John Minihan: Let us clarify a couple of things. An act of regret or some form of recognition for an act of wrongdoing might in some way lighten my tone when I refer to these killers. In recent days we have seen a game of words played out. I fully accept the sincerity of the Minister and the Government. I also accept that their responsibility is greater than ours in moving the peace process forward. I am...

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (20 May 2004)

John Minihan: I too join with previous speakers in calling for an urgent debate regarding the Middle East, and particularly the activities over the last few days in Israel and Palestine. Enough has been said about that, but I urge the Leader to arrange a debate as soon as possible. Like other speakers I welcome the news regarding Intel. Having lived in Leixlip from 1980 to 1992, I saw how it developed. I...

Seanad: Middle East Conflict: Statements. (26 May 2004)

John Minihan: In speaking this evening on the broad issue of the current situation in the Middle East, I would like to address the situations in Iraq and in Israel and Palestine. In my opinion, both situations warrant a debate in their own right. There have been many changes in Iraq over the past few months and we can look at these in terms of the glass being half full or half empty. Treatment of prisoners...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

John Minihan: I welcome the Minister and the opportunity to speak in support of this motion. The decision to decentralise public service jobs from Dublin to other parts of the country has been strongly welcomed, particularly by those towns and communities that will benefit. As previous speakers said, it has already created a new vibrancy in those communities, a sense of self-worth and self-belief that can...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

John Minihan: ——undervalues and undermines the whole principle of decentralisation in that these people, I suggest, will commute to their new-found employment. They will not contribute to the community, purchase houses or put their children into local schools. It is a decision I fail to understand. Not only could I not understand it when it was originally made, I equally cannot understand it since it...