Results 661-680 of 7,604 for speaker:James Bannon

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Nov 2003)

James Bannon: There are about 150 reports out there.

Seanad: Containment of Nuclear Weapons Bill 2000 [ Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil ] : Report and Final Stages. (12 Nov 2003)

James Bannon: I welcome the Minister of State and thank him for his explanation on the background to the Bill. It is three years since it was last dealt with in the House. Does it adequately address the issues of today? Much has happened since, such as the events of 11 September 2001. I understand the Minister of State took advice from the EU Commission on the implementation of the Bill. I am concerned...

Seanad: Containment of Nuclear Weapons Bill 2000 [ Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil ] : Report and Final Stages. (12 Nov 2003)

James Bannon: It is two years since the Bill was before the House and the penalties were laid down, during which we have had the changeover from the punt to the euro. It is evident that penalties are a deterrent to crime in society. The financial penalty laid down in section 14(1) of a fine not exceeding €3,000 is too low. Will the Minister of State increase it to a minimum of €5,000?

Seanad: Containment of Nuclear Weapons Bill 2000 [ Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil ] : Report and Final Stages. (12 Nov 2003)

James Bannon: Will the Minister of State elaborate on what is meant by the term "materials"?

Seanad: Containment of Nuclear Weapons Bill 2000 [ Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil ] : Report and Final Stages. (12 Nov 2003)

James Bannon: Are they radioactive materials?

Seanad: Containment of Nuclear Weapons Bill 2000 [ Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil ] : Report and Final Stages. (12 Nov 2003)

James Bannon: During a recent meeting of the Joint Committee on the Environment and Local Government, members were informed that a number of disused radioactive sources are stored at various locations in the State. I am not completely satisfied with the Minister of State's reply regarding materials and, therefore, remain concerned about the issue.

Seanad: Containment of Nuclear Weapons Bill 2000 [ Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil ] : Report and Final Stages. (12 Nov 2003)

James Bannon: I thank the Minister for his informed presentation on the Bill and the amendments thereto. Hopefully, the passing of the Bill will result in better safety standards in this country and in the EU. The Act will probably have to be revisited when the applicant countries become full members of the EU, given that many weapons, including decommissioned weapons, have been stored in various parts of...

Seanad: Courts and Court Officers (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second and Subsequent Stages. - National Drugs Strategy: Motion. (12 Nov 2003)

James Bannon: I welcome the Minister of State to the House to debate this important motion which would not be before us if law and order was top of the Government's agenda. I am surprised to hear Senator Kett supporting the breakdown of law and order by saying the Garda Síochána should not erect check points on the quays to identify those who have not paid tax due on their vehicles.

Seanad: Courts and Court Officers (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second and Subsequent Stages. - National Drugs Strategy: Motion. (12 Nov 2003)

James Bannon: Such remarks are deplorable and despicable from a Member on the Government side.

Seanad: Courts and Court Officers (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second and Subsequent Stages. - National Drugs Strategy: Motion. (12 Nov 2003)

James Bannon: The Senator should get his priorities right.

Seanad: Courts and Court Officers (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second and Subsequent Stages. - National Drugs Strategy: Motion. (12 Nov 2003)

James Bannon: Some 83 people in Dublin died last year from drug overdoses. That is equivalent to one fifth of all deaths from road traffic accidents around the country. No matter how the Government tries to get around those statistics, they will not go away and will not be tackled by broken election promises. They cannot be ignored. The following was promised in the 2002 programme for Government: "We will...

Seanad: Courts and Court Officers (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second and Subsequent Stages. - National Drugs Strategy: Motion. (12 Nov 2003)

James Bannon: The Leader assured us yesterday that the Minister of State would give us a commitment to provide the extra gardaí before the end of this Government's term in office. Perhaps this is a record in terms of pre-election promises. Perhaps it sets a precedent for a deferral system whereby the promises prior to one election can be held over until the next one. In the history of the Government's...

Seanad: Courts and Court Officers (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second and Subsequent Stages. - National Drugs Strategy: Motion. (12 Nov 2003)

James Bannon: Will these prove to be empty words yet again? Real power and real action need the necessary executive budgets to bring them to fruition. As we know this Government is bordering on bankruptcy. The Minister of State's Department stated: "The Government is committed to a national drugs strategy." The statistics speak for themselves. A 2002 UN report estimates that 9.4% of Irish people aged 15...

Seanad: Courts and Court Officers (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second and Subsequent Stages. - National Drugs Strategy: Motion. (12 Nov 2003)

James Bannon: They are starved of cash. One can have any force one likes, but the Government does not have any financial—

Seanad: Courts and Court Officers (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second and Subsequent Stages. - National Drugs Strategy: Motion. (12 Nov 2003)

James Bannon: There is a huge accommodation problem in the health boards.

Seanad: Courts and Court Officers (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second and Subsequent Stages. - National Drugs Strategy: Motion. (12 Nov 2003)

James Bannon: There are accommodation problems.

Seanad: Courts and Court Officers (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second and Subsequent Stages. - National Drugs Strategy: Motion. (12 Nov 2003)

James Bannon: That is not true.

Seanad: Courts and Court Officers (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second and Subsequent Stages. - National Drugs Strategy: Motion. (12 Nov 2003)

James Bannon: Fine Gael deals in facts, but the Government does not.

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 Nov 2003)

James Bannon: Local government is in crisis.

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 Nov 2003)

James Bannon: I do. I want the Leader to invite into the House at the earliest opportunity the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Cullen, to address the serious concerns at local authority level regarding the deficit in funding requirements in local government. Local authorities will not be in a position to pass their estimates over the next few months because of the...