Results 601-620 of 891 for speaker:John Minihan

Seanad: Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (15 Dec 2005)

John Minihan: I am sure the Minister wants to get this Bill through before he even thinks about that. The Government, and especially the Minister, should be congratulated for facilitating this Bill and its swift passage through both Houses. The Minister could have decided to draft a Bill along the lines of the one before us but he rightly recognised that such legislation may not have endured the charge...

Seanad: Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (15 Dec 2005)

John Minihan: This is a good day for the Houses of the Oireachtas and I congratulate everyone associated with bringing the Bill to its speedy conclusion.

Seanad: Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (15 Dec 2005)

John Minihan: I concur with the previous speakers and again extend my congratulations to everyone associated, including the Labour Party and the speakers and those who have contributed to the debate in both Houses and brought along the legislation to where it now is. I hope that legislation such as this will have an immediate impact and will help bring about a certain justice to the Nowlan family.

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (16 Dec 2005)

John Minihan: Just remember they will do the same to Fine Gael in Government. They will leave it swinging.

Seanad: Strategy for Men's Health: Statements. (25 Jan 2006)

John Minihan: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Power, and his officials to the House and thank them for contributing to this significant series of statements. I also commend Senator Glynn on his perseverance in seeking this debate. When one hears that a discussion is to take place on a strategy for men's health one can be forgiven for wondering what this is trying to achieve, what is the...

Seanad: Child Care Investment Programme: Motion. (1 Feb 2006)

John Minihan: The Senator is sharing more than his time.

Seanad: Child Care Investment Programme: Motion. (1 Feb 2006)

John Minihan: He shares his time in many ways.

Seanad: Child Care Investment Programme: Motion. (1 Feb 2006)

John Minihan: I welcome the Minister of State and his officials to the House and I am grateful for the opportunity to speak on this motion. This is just one of a series of debates in this House on the issue of child care and early childhood education. It is both commendable and significant that this is the case. Child care continues to be a topic that challenges, poses questions and in some ways divides...

Seanad: Northern Ireland Issues: Statements. (2 Feb 2006)

John Minihan: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Treacy, and I thank the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, for his contribution and for remaining in the House for so long. It is encouraging we are having this debate in the context of yesterday's IMC report. The report stated the IMC feels "there are indications of a dynamic of change occurring in the Northern Ireland, though it is...

Seanad: Defence Forces Property. (7 Feb 2006)

John Minihan: I would be happy to answer the question for Senator Norris.

Seanad: Airport Development Projects. (7 Feb 2006)

John Minihan: I appreciate the Cathaoirleach's acceptance of this matter on the Adjournment and the attendance of the Minister of State, Deputy Killeen, on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Deputy Cullen, hopefully to clarify the issue. The question tabled is clear as regards whether the Minister intends to honour the previous commitment to leave the Cork Airport Authority debt free, or whether he has...

Seanad: Airport Development Projects. (7 Feb 2006)

John Minihan: I thank the Minister of State for his response. I know that he has a particular interest in Shannon Airport, but Cork Airport has suffered for many years whereas the State has invested in Shannon Airport and supported it with stopovers and so on. The reality is that if investment in Cork Airport had taken place before the break-up of the airports, Cork Airport would not have the problem that...

Seanad: Airport Development Projects. (7 Feb 2006)

John Minihan: Passenger numbers at Cork Airport are up without any troops landing there.

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy. (8 Feb 2006)

John Minihan: On behalf of the Progressive Democrats I join with previous speakers in extending our sympathies to the family of the late Ruairí Brugha. It is difficult to speak of an historical icon whom one did not know but having listened to previous speakers, particularly Senator O'Toole's history lesson on the great contribution of the Brugha family to Irish politics, it is clear Ruairí and his...

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Feb 2006)

John Minihan: Funding has increased by 17%. As usual, Senator Bannon does not know what he is talking about.

Seanad: Third Level Education: Statements. (8 Feb 2006)

John Minihan: I welcome the Minister to the House and thank her for her statement. The last time I spoke on this topic, the context was the position of the Irish education system in the top rank of the OECD in terms of both quality and level of participation. The motion before the House on that occasion expressed the view of the House that we were anxious to maintain quality, responsiveness and...

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Feb 2006)

John Minihan: I support Senator Brian Hayes's comments on road safety and hope legislation will be introduced to address the use of mobile phones while driving. When talking about road safety, we must be conscious that the penalty must be of such an extent that it inhibits people from taking the risk. When penalty points were introduced, there was initial nervousness but people quickly decided the risk was...

Seanad: Mental Health Services: Statements. (9 Feb 2006)

John Minihan: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I appreciate having these few moments to speak on a topic that is as important to debate as it is complex and difficult. The information provided by the Minister of State and the Department on the prevalence and economic cost of mental illness is quite staggering and truly places today's statements in context. One in four people will have a mental...

Seanad: Educational Services: Motion. (15 Feb 2006)

John Minihan: I welcome the Minister for Education and Science to the House and I am grateful for the opportunity to speak on this motion. Along with health care, care of the elderly and child care, education is one of the key policy areas that define a society. Decisions made in the area of education have far-reaching and long-lasting affects not only on our economy but on our society. The influence of...

Seanad: Educational Services: Motion. (15 Feb 2006)

John Minihan: We know that well. Perhaps I am being somewhat hard on the Senators. I should thank them for giving me this opportunity to set before the House the record of the Government in a manner that even the most numerically challenged of us will understand.