Results 441-460 of 7,604 for speaker:James Bannon

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Apr 2003)

James Bannon: The situation is getting worse.

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Apr 2003)

James Bannon: Since Christmas there has been a huge rise—

Seanad: Licensing of Indoor Events Bill 2001: Second Stage. (15 Apr 2003)

James Bannon: I welcome the Minister of State and look forward to visiting his beautiful county of Donegal next weekend for the 20th annual Local Authority Members' Association conference. I strongly support this Bill, which has finally reached the Seanad following its introduction to the Dáil in 2001. This legislation is of the utmost importance, particularly in regard to the safety of young people who...

Seanad: Government Policy and the Provision of Services for the Elderly: Statements. (15 Apr 2003)

James Bannon: I also welcome the Minister of State. Our elderly and disabled have been abandoned by the Government, which has turned its back on these vulnerable groups despite pre-election promises that they would be looked after first.

Seanad: Government Policy and the Provision of Services for the Elderly: Statements. (15 Apr 2003)

James Bannon: I agree with the remarks made by Senator Ulick Burke regarding threats of crime in rural areas. This is a major issue. I visited an elderly person the other night and had to wait at least half an hour until they removed the barricades from the door to allow me into their house.

Seanad: Government Policy and the Provision of Services for the Elderly: Statements. (15 Apr 2003)

James Bannon: I received representations to go and see them. I telephoned to say I would be arriving half an hour earlier than expected. On arrival, I had to wait for them to remove the barricades from the door in order to get into the house. They live this way because of the threat of crime in rural communities. There are fewer gardaí on the beat and elderly people are afraid in their homes. We have...

Seanad: Government Policy and the Provision of Services for the Elderly: Statements. (15 Apr 2003)

James Bannon: I will take note of it. Politicians living their lives to the full did not do anything to make an impact on the conditions and lifestyles of these disadvantaged people. It does not take much to notice that the Minister continues to party while these people make up the shortfall. Society's most vulnerable are paying for the Government's wasteful mismanagement of the economy, which has led to...

Seanad: Government Policy and the Provision of Services for the Elderly: Statements. (15 Apr 2003)

James Bannon: Because of dishonesty.

Seanad: Central Mental Hospital: Motion. (16 Apr 2003)

James Bannon: I welcome the Minister of State. Senator Mansergh referred to what should and should not be priorities of Government. The first priority of any Government should be the health and well-being of all citizens. It is provided for in the Constitution that we cherish all of our citizens equally. I am unhappy with conditions in many of our mental health institutions and, from time to time, the...

Seanad: Adjournment Matter. - Community Development. (16 Apr 2003)

James Bannon: I welcome the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív, to the House on a very important issue relating to my county of Longford. I have brought this motion on social inclusion programme cutbacks affecting Longford Community Resources before the House because I want the Minister to explain how he can justify his inhumane destruction of the work community groups are...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 May 2003)

James Bannon: There is an insurance crisis throughout the country and nowhere is it more evident than in the Leader's town of Athlone, where a public meeting was held recently on the issue. I call for a debate on the issue because a number of hackney drivers, small businesses and hauliers are being put out of business. The small family business is collapsing because of the astronomical and spiralling costs...

Seanad: Licensing of Indoor Events Bill 2001: Committee and Remaining Stages. (7 May 2003)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 1: In page 12, subsection (1), line 11, after "authority" to insert ", through its Chief Fire officer or Inspection Officer,".

Seanad: Licensing of Indoor Events Bill 2001: Committee and Remaining Stages. (7 May 2003)

James Bannon: As we all know, this legislation came about as a result of the Hamilton report. It relates to the independence of positions and accountability within a local authority. The chief fire officer is professionally trained for the specific purpose of his or her job and nobody should be in a position to overrule him as his decision relating to the safety of people is paramount. He should have...

Seanad: Licensing of Indoor Events Bill 2001: Committee and Remaining Stages. (7 May 2003)

James Bannon: Has the chief fire officer ultimate control over the manager so that the manager cannot intervene in any case? The Minister of State mentioned oral warnings. The spoken word can be misinterpreted and I fear what would happen if it went to court. In court, there can be a different interpretation taken of the written word and the spoken word. If a person cannot produce a document stating the...

Seanad: Licensing of Indoor Events Bill 2001: Committee and Remaining Stages. (7 May 2003)

James Bannon: The Minister of State spoke about the inspection officer and said that he or she would be a suitably qualified person in the fire service area. While managers are wonderful people, they are not qualified in the area of health and safety to the extent of a chief fire officer.

Seanad: Licensing of Indoor Events Bill 2001: Committee and Remaining Stages. (7 May 2003)

James Bannon: I welcome the Minister's clarification. A number of persons within the fire authority can have authority to make a decision. That is important as the chief fire officer cannot be in all places at all times. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Section 11 agreed to. Sections 12 to 14, inclusive, agreed to. SECTION 15.

Seanad: Licensing of Indoor Events Bill 2001: Committee and Remaining Stages. (7 May 2003)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 2: In page 14, subsection (1)(a), line 19, after "both," to insert "fine to be index linked,".

Seanad: Licensing of Indoor Events Bill 2001: Committee and Remaining Stages. (7 May 2003)

James Bannon: Is the Minister of State indicating that he is considering index-linking by 2020? He said index-linking would take care of the situation by 2020. I accept that there is a glimmer of hope. I appreciate that he mentioned another Department being involved. Why complicate the matter by bringing extra bureaucracy into the system? Why can it not be done in the context of the Bill? It has been done...

Seanad: Licensing of Indoor Events Bill 2001: Committee and Remaining Stages. (7 May 2003)

James Bannon: It concerns people.

Seanad: Licensing of Indoor Events Bill 2001: Committee and Remaining Stages. (7 May 2003)

James Bannon: The Minister of State says it will be index-linked by next year. Will we have to have a second Licensing of Indoor Events Bill to achieve this?