Results 641-660 of 7,604 for speaker:James Bannon

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Oct 2003)

James Bannon: Will the Leader invite the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to the House to debate price increases? There has been a significant rip-off of consumers over the past 12 months. The Government is responsible for 60% of the increase in prices. Stealth taxes are being introduced on a daily basis, which I could list until lunch time, but there have been increases in the cost of gas,...

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Nov 2003)

James Bannon: I support the view of my colleague, Senator Higgins, that it is wrong to hold vintners accountable for crimes committed by others. Regulations should be introduced to ensure the culprits of crime are held responsible.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Nov 2003)

James Bannon: —people in the City of Dublin looking for food in garbage and trash cans.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Nov 2003)

James Bannon: We are 50 days away from Christmas and it is time for the Government to take action and provide for those people.

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Nov 2003)

James Bannon: In recent months the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government requested local authorities to seek a €10,000 development levy from home owners. This will hit voluntary bodies, sporting organisations and so on and will have a huge impact on the cost of housing throughout the country. In addition, the Minister proposes to introduce a new €600 fee for the emptying of...

Seanad: Waste Management: Statements. (5 Nov 2003)

James Bannon: I welcome the Minister of State. I am disappointed the Minister was not able to be present for this important debate—

Seanad: Waste Management: Statements. (5 Nov 2003)

James Bannon: —on waste management, although the Minister of State issued an apology on his behalf. He looks to be a Minister on the run because it is hard to get him in recent times for anything.

Seanad: Waste Management: Statements. (5 Nov 2003)

James Bannon: Hopefully, he will come at some future date and debate the whole issue with us. Today the environment occupies a central position in our awareness. The reason is simple: the quality of our life is now threatened by developments which humans have started, but cannot control. In the worst case, the result could be that we no longer have the opportunity to improve the quality of life by our own...

Seanad: Waste Management: Statements. (5 Nov 2003)

James Bannon: This is having a detrimental impact on the environment, tidy towns committees and development associations. The Minister of State can shake his head but the numbers have been reduced by a further 5,000 in recent weeks. We must take responsibility for our environment and ensure it is handed on to future generations intact and in an enhanced form. There has been a lot of talk and legislation...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Nov 2003)

James Bannon: I support Senator Brian Hayes's proposal to amend the Order of Business regarding a debate on the deteriorating health services not only in Dublin, but throughout the country. As a serving member of a health board, I see the impact major shortfalls in funding are having on the health service, particularly in the hospitals in my region. We need to debate the important issue of security in our...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Nov 2003)

James Bannon: I thought the tribunals had cleaned up society but that does not seem to have been the case.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Nov 2003)

James Bannon: The problem relates to the criteria used for drawing down the funding.

Seanad: Direct Payments Decoupling: Statements. (11 Nov 2003)

James Bannon: I hope much of the bureaucracy will be taken out of farming. As we speak, there are tribunals taking place in various parts of the country where farmers are brought before a court of officials to account for why an animal died and the reason they were unable to replace it. Farmers are losing up to 16% of their benefits as a result of non-replacement of an animal that dies. Only last week I...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Arts Funding. (11 Nov 2003)

James Bannon: I thank the Minister of State for coming here to discuss the issue of investment in the arts with particular reference to the negative impact of cuts on performing companies and the communities they serve. The last budget saw drastic cuts, which amounted to about €4 million, imposed on the arts in general. I draw the attention of the Minister to the Backstage Theatre Company, based in my...

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Nov 2003)

James Bannon: I support Senator Brian Hayes in his comments on benchmarking. There is frustration among local authority members throughout the country. Yesterday, members of Clare County Council walked out over the issue of charges.

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Nov 2003)

James Bannon: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Nov 2003)

James Bannon: Dictators will be in place in every council by March, namely commissioners.

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Nov 2003)

James Bannon: On another issue, I am asking for a debate—

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Nov 2003)

James Bannon: Senator Leyden should allow me to continue. I am seeking a debate on planning issues. The Minister of State, Deputy Fahey, was critical of the dictatorial approach taken by some planners to one-off housing. It is important we debate this matter. There are currently several plans in the public domain yet nobody knows where we are going on this.

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Nov 2003)

James Bannon: Parishes throughout Ireland will be depopulated by 20% if we do not deal with this issue.