Results 521-540 of 996 for speaker:John Gerard Hanafin

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2008)

John Gerard Hanafin: I request the Leader to make inquiries of the Standards in Public Office Commission in connection with the ongoing investigations of Libertas. The last referendum on the Lisbon treaty was lost but there is still some outstanding business from it. I have knowledge of fund-raising and know how difficult it is to bring in €500,000 to fight a referendum. This new group was able to spend...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2008)

John Gerard Hanafin: What was the source of that outside funding? With the right-wing links that the group apparently has, we need to have this information. It is incredible that the very people who are fighting the "No" campaign and looking for transparency are not now turning to Libertas to ask it to explain itself, as it is doing the "No" campaign no benefit by not explaining itself.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2008)

John Gerard Hanafin: I also raise the issue of the inappropriate cartoon which appeared in the Daily Mail this week.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2008)

John Gerard Hanafin: It was not published in the Irish edition; it appeared only in England, which indicates the staff were not prepared to stand over the cartoon. It is a relic from past times.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2008)

John Gerard Hanafin: When one looks back at those past times, they were totally inappropriate. Should such newspapers have to declare their agendas? The Daily Mail appears to have an agenda and one of the few redeeming factors of the newspaper is that Senator Rónán Mullen writes for it and gives some balance in that area. Other than that, there is very little to redeem the Irish Daily Mail. It is a...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

John Gerard Hanafin: I ask the Leader for a number of debates on finance and the economy. It is interesting to hear comments that are made in the light of immediate circumstances, without realising their impact. If the competitiveness of the euro declines, the ECB has many options open to it, including reducing rates. We can be certain that the ECB will decrease rates as competitiveness changes. Similarly...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2008)

John Gerard Hanafin: I request the Minister for Finance to come to the House at the earliest opportunity in the new year to discuss the sustainable economic renewal. This is to be broadly and warmly welcomed. I agree with Senator Keaveney that people are buying Irish but in many cases they are going North of the Border to do so. With so many people making such significant purchases North of the Border — I do...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2008)

John Gerard Hanafin: I welcome the proposal that was made yesterday to restart the economy. At a difficult time, the Government is trying to put a positive slant on enterprise in this country. I note that the Financial Regulator has made significant progress in rooting out bad practice. It is important to note that provision was made a long time ago to allow the Central Bank to deal with issues of this nature....

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Second Stage (19 Dec 2008)

John Gerard Hanafin: In supporting the Finance Bill, I am conscious that this was probably the most difficult climate, in terms of instability, a Minister for Finance has found himself in when framing a budget since the foundation of the State. Certainly the 1930s were more difficult but the uncertainty of the current situation is totally outside our country's control. The price of property in Ireland was too...

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2008)

John Gerard Hanafin: There may be difficulty with the other paragraphs but I am looking in particular at paragraph (e). The Minister has made it clear that he has factored in all the costs and implications of taxation. There is a convention in this House and in other parliaments throughout Europe that one does not mention certain events that occurred in the past, including the Civil War. Unfortunately, Senator...

Seanad: Economic Situation: Statements (27 Jan 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: Yesterday we saw an example of the difficulties in the economy. Ulster Bank and First Active announced they were merging and seeking voluntary redundancies. Of the 7,000 employees on the island of Ireland they are seeking 750 redundancies — 200 in the North and 550 in the Republic. Branches will close or merge and the trading name of First Active will cease to exist. This is a classic...

Seanad: Economic Situation: Statements (27 Jan 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: Where there is nothing more to be said, Senator Buttimer will definitely say it.

Seanad: Economic Situation: Statements (27 Jan 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: It is unseemly that a socialist party in the past few months voted in favour of millionaires receiving medical cards and against the nationalisation of a bank, when it was necessary.

Seanad: Economic Situation: Statements (27 Jan 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: Words have meaning and they take flight, particularly in the financial sector, when they are reported and quoted. An Opposition spokesperson said the reason Anglo Irish Bank was being nationalised was to support builders and friends of Fianna Fáil but that is not true. It was essential for the economy because it is the third largest bank in the State.

Seanad: Economic Situation: Statements (27 Jan 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: We are well placed and we are taking the right decisions. We will continue to take the right decisions and the necessary cuts will be made while protecting the less well-off in society. I agree with Senator MacSharry about how sensible companies are in making adjustments where necessary by adopting short-term, week on, week off arrangements. The last thing we need to do is close...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jan 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I seek a debate on the green economy. We know the Americans have outlined this as an area for growth. Substantial funds will be dedicated to the green economy, in which case many new developments will take place in that area. This country is ideally placed as an island off the west coast of Europe with wonderful capacity for tidal or wind energy that we could transmit to the rest of...

Seanad: Economic Issues: Motion (28 Jan 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: We get the world as it is rather than as we would like it to be. Conditions in the economy have deteriorated. Gross national product declined by 2.5% last year and will fall by 4.5% and 1% this year and next year, respectively. Notwithstanding these figures, the Government is taking the correct course of action to ensure the economy remains on a sound fiscal footing. The Taoiseach is...

Seanad: Economic Issues: Motion (28 Jan 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: The Government is taking the appropriate action, including on the banking crisis. The Opposition has recommended the Government take courses of action on which it has already embarked. The Taoiseach and Government are taking the correct approach by ensuring everyone is involved through social partnership.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Feb 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I join the calls for statements on what the Taoiseach is going to announce, but at an appropriate time. There is ample opportunity for all of us to hear it at first hand in the Dáil, where matters like this should be first announced. I also share the views of those who would like to see tolerance. Having fought in a number of constitutional campaigns, I am quite mindful that there are few...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I support Senator Boyle in his calls and in welcoming tomorrow's debate. I am very conscious of the fact that the Government took the correct decision yesterday. I am also conscious of very recent history when, while claiming to be responsible in opposition, the Opposition has voted against vital measures including the bank and credit institution guarantee scheme and the nationalisation of...