Results 721-740 of 996 for speaker:John Gerard Hanafin
- Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Nov 2009)
John Gerard Hanafin: The slow-down in property prices that we predicted when the banks over-lent was exacerbated by the near collapse of the world economy and credit market a year and a half ago. Bear Stearns, Lehman Brothers, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and AIG all fell; therefore, it is no wonder that people are fearful because a year and a half ago we did not know whether we would have a banking system or whether...
- Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Nov 2009)
John Gerard Hanafin: If the Opposition wishes to talk about waste, it should remember it too has been a substantial contributor to it.
- Seanad: Order of Business (10 Nov 2009)
John Gerard Hanafin: Will the Leader, as a matter of urgency, inquire about the possibility of having the proceedings of the Seanad streamed to the national media? I am conscious the House is well served by Jimmy Walsh in The Irish Times, and "Oireachtas Report" on RTE, but both of these organs are media of record and, unfortunately, the gatekeepers and opinion givers do not have a high opinion of what happens...
- Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Committee Stage (10 Nov 2009)
John Gerard Hanafin: I believe there is merit in Senator Bacik's proposal in connection with the French model whereby a credit mediator has been appointed to keep a watchful eye on how the banks are performing, with a view to ensuring best possible practice, and to publicise information in this regard. We must face the fact that under the Basel round of agreements the tier 1 capital ratios for the banks has...
- Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Committee Stage (10 Nov 2009)
John Gerard Hanafin: I wish to clarify, in the interests of historical and factual accuracy, that during his time as Taoiseach, Ãamon de Valera appointed a Senator to the Cabinet.
- Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Committee Stage (10 Nov 2009)
John Gerard Hanafin: I was merely offering an important point of clarification.
- Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Committee Stage (10 Nov 2009)
John Gerard Hanafin: It may not be relevant but I was obliged to clarify the position.
- Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2009)
John Gerard Hanafin: I support the call for the Leader to make known the view of the House that the death penalty is not acceptable, even for the most heinous crimes. The state must be seen, in whatever circumstances, to act in a proper manner. Life is sacred, even in cases where the most heinous acts have been committed. On another matter, I ask that we vary the debate on the pre-budget statements this year....
- Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2009)
John Gerard Hanafin: Hear, hear.
- Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2009)
John Gerard Hanafin: Hear, hear.
- Seanad: Order of Business (12 Nov 2009)
John Gerard Hanafin: In light of the recent excellent work by this Chamber on NAMA, I ask the Leader to note a fact that was not mentioned as much as it should have been that the rate we have received from the European Central Bank to buy the toxic assets is 1.5%. It fundamentally amounts to a Marshall plan for Ireland from Europe.
- Seanad: Order of Business (12 Nov 2009)
John Gerard Hanafin: If our banks went to raise that money in Europe, they would have to repay a multiple of that rate. The total cost of the impaired loans will be covered by the 8% we are receiving as a coupon from the banks for the â¬7 billion we have already given to them. The Leader should consider a debate as the United Kingdom has indicated it will extend its nuclear capacity, in particular along the...
- Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2009)
John Gerard Hanafin: Last week I inquired about the Internet streaming of the business of this House to the media, by which I referred to the broadcast media. The only way to increase public awareness of the way in which debates are conducted in this Chamber is by letting the public see the work we do. This House is host to a fine level of debate with many different views being expressed. The debate is...
- Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2009)
John Gerard Hanafin: If I am factually incorrect, I will be delightedââ
- Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2009)
John Gerard Hanafin: The question will arise as to how the Opposition would deal with the â¬4 billion budget cut.
- Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2009)
John Gerard Hanafin: The Cathaoirleach is a well known referee. May I have injury time?
- Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2009)
John Gerard Hanafin: It is not the time for insults.
- Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2009)
John Gerard Hanafin: Last week the leader of the Labour Party in the House said he would not know whether to laugh or cry if we had such a debate but that such a debate was necessary. It needs to be held in the public domain because we need to know what the Opposition parties would do and how they would collect the â¬4 billion.
- Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2009)
John Gerard Hanafin: It is disingenuous to pick out the obvious changes that will be made in the budget and say we would not make those cuts.
- Seanad: Order of Business (18 Nov 2009)
John Gerard Hanafin: I join Senator O'Reilly in calling for a debate on the nuclear issue, a matter previously raised in the House by Senator Quinn. I ask the Leader for a general debate on the matter, which would be very useful given that we are in a nuclear area. There are new facilities for nuclear reactors to be much safer, where the irradiated material is held in steel spheres. It is even possible to shut...