Results 361-380 of 996 for speaker:John Gerard Hanafin

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Oct 2007)

John Gerard Hanafin: Like almost all other Senators I welcome that Archbishop Brady is to be elevated to cardinal. I also share in a call for a debate made by Senator Bacik on parenting, particularly with a view to parenting where there is a question of homosexual couples adopting, an area in which there is not public debate at the moment. I would like to put down a marker that I am totally opposed to it....

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Oct 2007)

John Gerard Hanafin: I support my colleague, Senator Corrigan. There is no doubt that the more things change, the more they stay the same. I am conscious that there is a particular type of Irish liberal who is intolerant of everybody else's view. For many years, workers at Dunnes Stores refused to handle South African products. They suffered for their beliefs but we had great respect for them. If CURA...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Oct 2007)

John Gerard Hanafin: The Senator should not interrupt me. Those who supported Dunnes Stores workers cannot see their way to support people who have a conscientious objection to giving out information on abortion. It is wrong that the State is not supporting CURA, which supports both the mother and the child.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Oct 2007)

John Gerard Hanafin: That is the second time the Senator has interrupted.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Oct 2007)

John Gerard Hanafin: This proves the point that people who call themselves liberal can be very intolerant of other people's views.

Seanad: Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007: Second Stage (25 Oct 2007)

John Gerard Hanafin: I, too, welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Noel Ahern. The Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007 gives us an opportunity to speak about the Irish financial sector. The first matter of note is the current controversy regarding sub-prime lending. Prime lending is a misnomer; the reality is there is prudent or normal lending and anything other than that is...

Seanad: Appointment of Members to Committees: Motion. (25 Oct 2007)

John Gerard Hanafin: At 11.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 31 October 2007.

Seanad: Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (31 Oct 2007)

John Gerard Hanafin: In supporting the Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007, and the section we are now discussing, I am conscious of the fact that a pension is not an arbitrary payment, nor a gift. A pension is an entitlement, based on deferred pay. It belongs to the person who has paid his or her contributions.

Seanad: Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (31 Oct 2007)

John Gerard Hanafin: Without interruption, Senator Norris.

Seanad: Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (31 Oct 2007)

John Gerard Hanafin: I am entitled to speak without interruption.

Seanad: Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (31 Oct 2007)

John Gerard Hanafin: A pension is deferred pay and that is a fact of life. It belongs to that person. We are dealing with one section of the Bill which relates to a former Minister and other people who might find themselves in that situation. Notwithstanding that, it behoves us to look at all sections to ensure that people who might miss out do not do so. It is wrong to point the finger at this person. I...

Seanad: Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (31 Oct 2007)

John Gerard Hanafin: The Senator proves my pointby saying he has no proof but still calls people liars. That is disgraceful.

Seanad: Witness Protection Programme Bill 2007: Second Stage (31 Oct 2007)

John Gerard Hanafin: I would like to share my time with Senator Harris.

Seanad: Witness Protection Programme Bill 2007: Second Stage (31 Oct 2007)

John Gerard Hanafin: The background to this Bill is clear. All Senators will agree there is a need for the witness protection programme. We need to consider whether the programme is best served by being placed in a legal format, as proposed in this legislation. The evidence available to me, which is anecdotal but quite reliable, suggests that substantial amounts of money are associated with the drugs trade in...

Seanad: Witness Protection Programme Bill 2007: Second Stage (31 Oct 2007)

John Gerard Hanafin: On a point of order, the current situation has been already tested and proved to be in order.

Seanad: Witness Protection Programme Bill 2007: Second Stage (31 Oct 2007)

John Gerard Hanafin: The Senator should check the blacks.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (1 Nov 2007)

John Gerard Hanafin: I support the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Brian Lenihan, in his decision to rule out gay marriage because it is in conflict with the Constitution and I look forward to the civil partnership Bill. I am reminded of a story told about Sir Thomas More, whose son constantly asked him to do something about a man with whom he had a problem. Sir Thomas More asked his son...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (1 Nov 2007)

John Gerard Hanafin: However, when I am asked to call it a marriage, that is something I am not prepared to do.

Seanad: Pre-Budget Outlook: Statements (1 Nov 2007)

John Gerard Hanafin: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. He comes with a fine reputation as a politician who has very high standards. The support of employment, research and innovation and the application of this research and innovation at home should be the top priorities in the budget. Countries such as Denmark and Finland have home-grown multinationals and continue to pay themselves at very high...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Nov 2007)

John Gerard Hanafin: I ask the Deputy Leader to call on the Minister for Transport to come to the House for a debate on the current situation at the M50 roundabout, where it is a lottery as to which direction one might take. It is simple to give clear directions for necessary works. That is one issue. Another, the question over Ryanair's current advertisement, is possibly one for the regulator. It is not...