Results 561-580 of 996 for speaker:John Gerard Hanafin

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Second Stage. (26 Feb 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: This Bill does exactly what it says on the tin. It is interesting to hear Opposition Members set out all the actions the Government must take to restore our economy, yet they will not support the effort which is clearly in this Bill to do exactly that. This is despite the inclusion in the Title of the Bill of the words "emergency" and "public interest", which is an accurate reflection of...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Second Stage. (26 Feb 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: Totally accurate.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Second Stage. (26 Feb 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: Social partnership has proved to be hugely beneficial and, if we need to make adjustments, it is incumbent on us to ensure that when this passes over us we remember those who made the cuts, the savings and the sacrifices. Some 120,000 people marched and they genuinely felt that something needed to be done. We must take action, it is very easy to make a decision when one has no choice. This...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Feb 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I ask the Leader for a debate on competitiveness, which is necessary in terms of the Government's current emphasis on jobs. The reality is that the only safe job is a competitive job. Until we reach the stage where the majority of the jobs in this country are competitive in the international marketplace, we will have uncertainty. That is why I ask the Leader for a debate to encompass all...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Feb 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: It is still nil on the embryonic stem cell side. It is unbelievable that we are even debating this issue. Imagine a situation where a stem cell can be taken from one's own body without——

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Feb 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Feb 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I am getting to the main point and I am looking forward to it.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Feb 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: A stem cell can be taken from the adult body and without fear of rejection, it can be used. Not every one will be successful but they are realistic and truthful. The reality is that there are clinical applications——

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Feb 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: Is it not really distorted that an embryo would be created to destroy it and to use it as a stem cell? That is wrong. I would also like to comment on this morning's opinion poll. We are all well aware that we are not in a Greek city state where everybody can come together for every decision that must be made. We are in a republic and a democracy and we are here to govern. There are times...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Feb 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I do. When will the Committee on Procedure and Privileges meet to stop people interrupting?

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Feb 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: There is a rule on interruptions.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Feb 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I do. Will the Leader have an ongoing debate on what the Government is doing? No matter what the consequences of the polls, if we are doing what is right, it will come right in the polls and for the country.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (3 Mar 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I share the welcome that has been extended on the research finding for the embryonic versus adult stem cells, and the proof conclusive that adult stem cells are as pluripotent as embryonic stem cells and, therefore, there is no reason whatsoever for research to be undertaken in this country on embryonic cells. As an ordinary backbench Member, I find it is sometimes difficult to make a...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (3 Mar 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: He holds a doctorate in interrupting and I support any efforts the Cathaoirleach makes to correct this.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (3 Mar 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: We must focus on competitiveness. The world market is becoming more difficult and a wide range of areas, including the cost of all inputs, must be debated regularly in this House. I welcome the Government proposals to concentrate on jobs and export-led growth, which offer the only opportunity we have to get through this recession. We should benchmark State expenditure against expenditure...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (3 Mar 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Mar 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I call for a debate on the emerging reality of a mini-budget. I am conscious that support is being sought across the political divide this morning. Should that divide not be forthcoming, I am certain the Government will continue to do what it must. I have noticed that debate in this House often focuses on what is happening in Ireland. It is not acceptable to consider the Irish economy out...

Seanad: Local Economic Initiatives: Motion (4 Mar 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I support the motion, which is extremely positive and which, in light of the position in which we find ourselves, is surprisingly appropriate. The motion states: That Seanad Éireann supports the development of microfinance in this country with greater support of the credit union sector to allow for the creation of local economic initiatives, an important and necessary step towards bringing...

Seanad: Local Economic Initiatives: Motion (4 Mar 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: It was at the Bishop's Palace in Cashel, 250 years ago. One learns something every day. The co-operatives, such as Kerry Co-Op, started as very small enterprises. They offered a great opportunity for people who had small funding to start something. I am also conscious of international developments, which show the importance of microfinance. We can take our lead from the United States....

Seanad: Local Economic Initiatives: Motion (4 Mar 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: He became the finance spokesman for Fine Gael here. He knows more about health than he does about finance, that is for sure. The Apple corporation was started in a garage by Steve Wozniak. Coors Brewing Company was started in the 1850s with very small capital and, in more recent times, Michael Dell founded the Dell company in his dormitory room in a Texas university with $1,000. Electronic...