Results 581-600 of 996 for speaker:John Gerard Hanafin

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Mar 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: Senator O'Toole raised a very important point this morning that he would lend his support if the social partners need to make difficult decisions. I ask the Leader to arrange for a debate on the support of the social partners, particularly at this time. Difficult decisions will have to be made. The issue of Ministers going abroad for St. Patrick's Day has been mentioned. Those Ministers...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Mar 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: ——so we know which of these people are betting against the Irish economy, which is equivalent to an attack on the economy.

Seanad: Investment of the National Pensions Reserve Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2009: Second Stage (5 Mar 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: On a point of information, it is not the National Treatment Purchase Fund.

Seanad: Investment of the National Pensions Reserve Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2009: Second Stage (5 Mar 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: This Bill supports the Government action to allow for the investment of €3.5 billion in each of the two main banks, Bank of Ireland and AIB Bank. It also contains provisions to allow the National Pensions Reserve Fund to invest in line with its rules and regulations, while dealing with other transactions that may be undertaken within the State in which the State would have a vested...

Seanad: Business of Seanad (5 Mar 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I propose an amendment to the Order of Business to allow the Minister of State to reply 15 minutes before the conclusion at 2 p.m.

Seanad: Investment of the National Pensions Reserve Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2009: Committee Stage (5 Mar 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Mar 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I wish to share in the condemnation of the murder of the two soldiers and the police officer in the north of Ireland. I am particularly cognisant that it has been those who brought us the atrocity of Omagh who have started this cycle of violence, which must be ended immediately. In discussing this issue, we must emphasise that a knee-jerk retaliatory reaction would only exacerbate the...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (11 Mar 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I ask the Leader to make inquiries on the proposals to televise Seanad and Dáil proceedings. I am cognisant that there was a debate about the role of the Seanad on national radio this morning in which two Members of the Seanad participated. Two other very well chosen, hand-picked cynics appeared with the two Seanadóirí. They began by seeking the abolition of the Seanad and descended...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (11 Mar 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I thank the Cathaoirleach. I also seek a debate on the economy. I refer to the excellent news that Hewlett-Packard is to take on 500 people and that Intel is to invest a further €1 billion. While we undoubtedly have not reached the end of the trough of unemployment, there are signs of the shoots of recovery. When the recovery comes, as it will inevitably, despite the media's persistent...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (11 Mar 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: To state that the problems in our economy——

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (11 Mar 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: ——result from the damage that the Construction Industry Federation has caused to the world economy is nonsensical and does not contribute positively to any debate.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (11 Mar 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: On a point of clarification, it is clear that the Leader referred to the awarding of additional points for the purpose of admission to third level education. What he said in this regard was clear.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (11 Mar 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: The Opposition is deliberately misrepresenting what he said.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Mar 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I support those speakers who have asked for a debate on the economy at the earliest opportunity. As the mini-budget approaches, which is necessary for the stabilisation of our finances, it is important to deal with such issues and to try to focus on those areas in which significant savings can be made. I take up the point made by Senator O'Reilly, which previously was brought to the House's...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Mar 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I ask the Leader for a debate on social partnership and competitiveness. I am especially conscious that in 1945, Germany had been devastated by the war but within five to seven years, the people had improved their standard of living beyond recognition and had worked together to ensure their nation arose from the ashes. We are a long way from anything similar to that but I have no doubt a...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Mar 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: Like others I welcome developments and the talks that will ensue with the social partners. I am very conscious that there is talk of bail outs from other countries. We are so far removed from the reality of a bail out that we should put it in perspective. In the 1980s when the debt of this nation was at 130% of GNP, and not 30% as it stands this year or 50% as it will be next year, and...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Mar 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: Will the Leader contact the Office of the Press Ombudsman? The regulation of the press is not exactly what we require. We have seen the dangers of insufficient and improper regulation in the banking industry. I am especially cognisant of the fact that some of the British newspapers had a particular agenda in respect of the Lisbon treaty and were very unapologetic about this. If they are...

Seanad: Forthcoming Budget: Statements (26 Mar 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I am very conscious of what Dickens said in the 1800s in the preamble to one of his books: annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen aught six, result happiness; annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds aught six, result misery. I am very conscious too that we have a job to ensure the national finances and to put the Government back on track to avail of...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Apr 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I ask the Leader for a debate on the economy, with specific reference to competitiveness. This week Standard & Poor's commented on the Government and on Irish finances, awarding a downgrade of our AAA status. I am conscious also that the same agency gave AAA ratings to the very item that almost brought about the collapse of the world economies, namely, sub-prime lending. In light of that...

Seanad: Economic and Recovery Authority: Motion (1 Apr 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: When positive proposals are put forward, they should be welcomed. However, it is difficult to expect that they would be taken on board in full when many aspects are already being implemented. I am very conscious of the fact that part of the proposal is probably unacceptable in light of what my colleague said in connection with off balance sheet lending. Off balance sheet lending has been...