Results 341-360 of 394 for speaker:James Heffernan

Seanad: Northern Ireland Issues: Motion (23 Sep 2015)

James Heffernan: The Senator knows well that the Provisional IRA is an operational, criminal organisation, both north and south of the Border. It operates one of the largest criminal networks in western Europe. That is a fact.

Seanad: Northern Ireland Issues: Motion (23 Sep 2015)

James Heffernan: Ask the Criminal Assets Bureau.

Seanad: Northern Ireland Issues: Motion (23 Sep 2015)

James Heffernan: I asked the Garda Commissioner if she thought the Provisional IRA stilll existed and she could not tell me one way or the other. I hope we will see something more definite in a number of weeks time. If one asks any family member of the 45 people who are lying six feet under whether the Provisional IRA still exists, he or she will say "Yes, they do." If one asks Briege Quinn and Stephen...

Seanad: Northern Ireland Issues: Motion (23 Sep 2015)

James Heffernan: For him to be left in that state for any parent to see was horrific and it happened at the hands of the Provisional IRA.

Seanad: Northern Ireland Issues: Motion (23 Sep 2015)

James Heffernan: That is a fact. For the Senator and other good people like him in Sinn Féin to deny it helps the IRA to continue its operations. It is time the Senator and progressive people like him stood up to the IRA from within Sinn Féin.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Sep 2015)

James Heffernan: We do not want a repeat of what happened last year. We are trying to put up with Senator Craughwell.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Sep 2015)

James Heffernan: Senator Martin Conway seems to have drifted into County Limerick. He might be best to get on the ferry in Tarbert and head back to Clare.I join colleagues in the tributes that were paid yesterday and today to Senator Jimmy Harte. What happened to Senator Harte was tragic and unfortunate. We wish him the best. It is not long since Senator Crown, Senator Harte and I were in Gdansk and...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Sep 2015)

James Heffernan: Yes. I thank the Cathaoirleach for his indulgence and I will talk to him on another date about speaking time. There is a conflict between the Departments of Environment, Community and Local Government and Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in respect of wind energy. The Government seems to want to destroy our country with wind farms and wind technology that is obsolete. The...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Sep 2015)

James Heffernan: There is a need for an urgent debate on our 2020 targets and environmental matters.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Sep 2015)

James Heffernan: I support the call for a debate about rural Ireland and particularly about the funding for rural regeneration that was announced last week. That announcement was a slap in the face for rural Ireland. I worked out that it would not provide a decent wheelbarrow per parish, never mind rural regeneration. There are houses in the middle of towns and villages across the country that are vacant...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Oct 2015)

James Heffernan: The House engaged in a two-hour debate on the budget last night. I did not get into it last night and I certainly do not intend going on and on criticising it today. I do not think others should use the opportunity to do that either. On a personal note, I would like to welcome my mother who is in the public Gallery. I take this opportunity to wish her a very happy birthday. I thank her...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Oct 2015)

James Heffernan: It should not have been taken away in the first instance.

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Second Stage (14 Oct 2015)

James Heffernan: I welcome the Minister of State. I also welcome any action the Government takes on climate change and low carbon development. As with everything, we must start at home if we are to address this issue. All institutions, whether primary schools in every parish and village, Garda stations, secondary schools or medical centres and primary care centres, should have a climate change plan for...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Oct 2015)

James Heffernan: Ah, give over, Rónán. Jesus.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Oct 2015)

James Heffernan: At this time of year there is the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, a time when we think of loved ones who have passed. Those of the Catholic tradition will visit the graves of dead family members and friends in the next couple of weeks. I spoke to one such mother this morning. It is with her permission that I refer to the murder of her son, Paul Quinn, on this day in 2007. He was lured...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Oct 2015)

James Heffernan: It exists in those communities which it rules through the utmost fear and intimidation. Not one of those called in over the death of Paul Quinn spoke one word to the authorities. They sat in stony silence. To the IRA killers of Paul Quinn I hope the doors of the other world will be opened and that they will be haunted by his murder.If they are men they will come forward and hand themselves...

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (21 Oct 2015)

James Heffernan: I support this amendment. We can have all the documents and legislation in the world but we cannot achieve much if we are not serious about tackling climate change and enacting climate change legislation. That is the problem I have with this Bill. I like the spirit of the Bill but if proper targets are not written into the legislation, there is no incentive to fulfil the obligations...

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (21 Oct 2015)

James Heffernan: I cannot see any reason why this amendment will not be accepted by the Minister of State. It seems reasonable that an advisory council that is being set up by the Government will be consulted. This is what the whole idea of setting up an advisory council should be. Section 7(2)(b) provides that the Minister shall consult but the Government does not have to. I do not see where that gets...

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (21 Oct 2015)

James Heffernan: The make-up and membership of the advisory council is one of the main flaws in this legislation and it flies in the face of what the Bill is trying to achieve. There will be an advisory council that is basically hand-picked by the Government of the day or by people who have been appointed to various other bodies by the Government of the day. We will end up with a lot of company men and...

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (21 Oct 2015)

James Heffernan: I am disappointed because I have seen how the EPA operates. It granted a licence to Aughinish Alumina, a known polluter in my area.