Results 621-640 of 891 for speaker:John Minihan

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

John Minihan: Since 1997, the pupil-teacher ratio has been slashed from 22:1 to 17:1. To achieve this figure, the Government has placed 5,000 extra primary teachers in our schools. Many of these extra teachers have been targeted at pupils with special needs and those from disadvantaged areas to ensure they are getting the extra help they need to reach their potential. The average class size has been...

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

John Minihan: Senator O'Toole should have done his homework before setting down the motion. Then he should have accepted the Government's amendment. There are 1,500 learning support teachers, 1,000 teachers in special schools and more than 600 teachers in special classes——

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

John Minihan: Perhaps the INTO was better off getting rid of Senator O'Toole; it has done so well since he left. There are nearly 6,000 special needs assistants in schools, compared to just 300 in 1998. This progress must be acknowledged, commended and welcomed. Nevertheless, despite this progress, the Government is not resting on its laurels. In the coming years, as the Education for Persons with Special...

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2006)

John Minihan: I would welcome a debate on nursing home charges for one reason, namely, to clarify the position and to rebut some of the wild allegations made by the Opposition this morning and in recent days. Compensation should be paid to people who are entitled to it. There is no question about that, as the Government has acknowledged. However, the State should equally defend cases seeking additional...

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2006)

John Minihan: ——the Government and taxpayers. If Fine Gael wants to peddle a "compo" culture, let it do so, but it is peddling somebody with a vested interest.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2006)

John Minihan: I make no apology for saying that.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2006)

John Minihan: Senator Bannon might bring some ideas with him to the debate.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2006)

John Minihan: Senator Bannon has lost his way again.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2006)

John Minihan: Senator Finucane was quick enough to blame me for defending the Tánaiste and the Government. He was quick to throw it in that way and misrepresent what I was defending.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2006)

John Minihan: Senator Finucane misrepresented what I intended. He introduced the issue.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2006)

John Minihan: Senator Finucane could not take the point when he was at the receiving end.

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Feb 2006)

John Minihan: The Senator should read the proposals. He does not know what he is talking about.

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Feb 2006)

John Minihan: The Senator does not know what he is talking about.

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Feb 2006)

John Minihan: The Senator got that right. We will proceed with the Garda reserve force.

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Feb 2006)

John Minihan: We had it yesterday.

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Feb 2006)

John Minihan: That is because of overtime issues.

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Feb 2006)

John Minihan: Senator Daly referred to prisoners, not aeroplanes.

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy. (1 Mar 2006)

John Minihan: On behalf of the Progressive Democrats, I wish to be associated with the remarks of previous speakers in offering our sympathies to the family of the late Larry McMahon. I never met Mr. McMahon but anyone with an interest in politics, and particularly that famous by-election, would know who he was. Having listened to the tributes today, both here and in the Lower House, the point that comes...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Mar 2006)

John Minihan: I join with previous speakers in condemning what occurred on O'Connell Street last Saturday and support the position and courage displayed by members of the Garda Síochána in the situation in which they found themselves. Senator Brian Hayes said there should be a public inquiry. I do not agree. He may mean we need a public debate. I am not sure a public inquiry would get the results we...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Mar 2006)

John Minihan: The Senator is not too sure what he is looking for.