Results 521-540 of 3,550 for speaker:Dominic Hannigan

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Apr 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: I seek a debate on the funding of the Garda Síochána. I do not make this call as a result of the newspaper report this morning about €1,000 being spent to change three light bulbs - stories like that will come and go - I am far more concerned about the proposed expenditure in this year's Estimates. Expenditure on maintenance of Garda vehicles is projected to be reduced by 40% while...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: I move amendment No. 13: In page 21, line 7, after "Pensions Act 2009," to insert the following: "or whose liabilities are commenced to be discharged after that date". Currently the clause is limited to schemes that are wound up after the passing of this Bill. However, we wish to have one scheme included in this, the SR Technics scheme, which was wound up three weeks ago. We ask that this...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: I think that would suffice but I seek absolute clarity that the Bill as it stands will allow SR Technics to benefit from it. Is that what the Minister is saying? If so, I can withdraw the amendment.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: That sounds very promising but I am concerned about the word "insolvency". The SR Technics company is not technically insolvent in the current state of play. I believe the Minister has gone a long way with this provision but I seek absolute clarity before I can withdraw the amendment.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: I thank the Minister. I have tabled a later amendment which deals specifically with the insolvency issue and seeks to change the wording in the Bill. I will not press this amendment but I will ask the Minister later in the debate to re-examine the issue of insolvency.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: I move amendment No. 16: In page 30, subsection (17)(d), line 17, after "1984" to insert the following: "or where the liabilities of the employer exceed its assets". This amendment returns to the issue of insolvency and the definition of insolvency. We want that widened to include the position where the liabilities of the employer exceed its assets. That is currently the case with SR...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: It is an area we must examine because for a company such as SR Technics this is a last resort. I am aware of people who were weeks away from retirement, having completed almost 40 years of service, and who will not get the full pension entitlement they were expecting six months ago. The issue of purchase of annuities on an open market is something of which we must be aware. Currently,...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: I appreciate to an extent what the Minister is saying but there may be some way to accommodate my amendment without opening it up to a wider base. I have tabled two amendments and either one of them would have allowed SR Technics to be part of the scheme. If she will give a commitment to introduce a change on Report Stage that would specifically allow for this company to be part of it, I...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: I am sure the Minister could find a wording.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: At this stage never the twain shall meet. I appreciate the Minister's time but-----

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Apr 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: Every Member is concerned about unemployment and the increase in the number of people without work but for Members to blame it on EU legislation is not acceptable. Members cannot speak out of both sides of their mouths. We are either in the EU or we are not, and if we are in it, we must abide by the legislation we have signed up to. The statement we have heard will serve the opponents of...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Apr 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: Is the Senator disputing the figure I gave?

Seanad: Gangland Crime: Statements (30 Apr 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: I welcome the Minister of State. As the economic health of the country deteriorates, it is easy to forget there are many issues of real importance which have not gone away. Gangland crime and the gun culture are but two of those issues. It is great, therefore, that we are debating this matter today because some of the issues to which I refer require legislative attention. Senator Norris...

Seanad: Charities Regulation. (30 Apr 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: Companies limited by guarantee are regularly formed by local associations, charities, resource centres and residents' associations because it offers them a separate legal entity and identity and avoids the need to issue shares to individuals involved. Under the Companies Act, companies limited by guarantee are considered public companies, and as such, must have an annual statutory audit...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 May 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: Like Senator Fitzgerald, we all have had hundreds of e-mails from families with regard to the bilateral agreements with Vietnam and Russia on adoption. Hundreds of families are in limbo because of incompetence and inaction on the part of the Government. I join Senator Fitzgerald in asking for the Minister to be invited to the House for a debate. It is important that we take action on this...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 May 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: Senator White, too. Senator Bacik has just entered the race.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 May 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: The average IQ of this House may go down but it will rise in other fora as a result and we must welcome that.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 May 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: We will take up the issue when she is gone.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 May 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: They are all members of Fianna Fáil.