Results 721-740 of 3,550 for speaker:Dominic Hannigan

Seanad: Prohibition of Depleted Uranium Weapons Bill 2009: Second Stage (3 Mar 2010)

Dominic Hannigan: I welcome the Minister of State. I commend Senators Boyle and O'Malley and former Senator de Búrca for initiating the Bill. As countries and legislatures across Europe and the world attempt to clean up the financial and economic mess we have witnessed over the past three years, it is important, at the same time, that we do not lose sight of the fact that pressing global issues predated the...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Mar 2010)

Dominic Hannigan: It is important to have a full and frank debate on the national pensions framework, which was published yesterday and provides food for thought. It is vital to get all sectors of society to buy into Ireland's future pension commitments. Those of us who are realistic accept the need for an increase in the retirement age. At present, for every six workers there are two people on pensions,...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Mar 2010)

Dominic Hannigan: As this will kick in in 2014, many people in their early 60s woke up this morning to discover they will not be able to retire for another year. We need to look at that again. It is already clear, from the debate in the media and in this House, that we will have a robust exchange of views on this issue. That is very welcome because it is vital that we get this right for all of our futures....

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Mar 2010)

Dominic Hannigan: -----children to enjoy books and to read more. Figures suggest that one in five students in this country leaves secondary school at the age of 15. One of the main reasons for that is the literacy problem. Approximately 500,000 Irish people have such problems. That is why it is important to support this endeavour. We have to recognise the good work that is done by libraries in Dublin and...

Seanad: Tourism Industry: Statements (4 Mar 2010)

Dominic Hannigan: I thank the Leader for organising this debate. It is not often he is thanked from all sides of the House but he has clearly gone out of his way to ensure this important debate is held. I also thank the Minister of State for his attendance at such short notice. This week saw the announcement that there were 435,000 of our fellow citizens without work. We must focus on the areas in which we...

Seanad: Tourism Industry: Statements (4 Mar 2010)

Dominic Hannigan: Perhaps we should establish an embassy there. It is time to try to put in place local organisations in other countries in order that we can sell our country, increase tourism and increase the number of jobs.

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 Mar 2010)

Dominic Hannigan: I reiterate the comments made by other Senators on both sides of the House. As somebody who has visited greyhound tracks at home and abroad, I can attest to the entertainment provided by racing. We must be careful about any law that could potentially damage the economic viability of the industry. I fully recognise we must ensure animal rights remain the priority in legislation. Having...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2010)

Dominic Hannigan: I welcome the publication, tomorrow, of the Government's innovation taskforce report and have seen reports of what it will contain. One recommendation is that we improve our broadband capacity which still lags behind international averages. The report also discusses mathematics and how we can encourage more people to study the subject. One suggested proposal is that we increase the number...

Seanad: Compulsory Retirement from the Irish Army of Lieutenant Dónal de Róiste: Motion (10 Mar 2010)

Dominic Hannigan: I hate to be the one to break the spirit of bonhomie and agreement in the House but I wish to say that I am a little disappointed that I am only getting to speak at this point. We all have to organise business around the House. I had expected to speak on this motion about a half an hour ago and realise that three Independent Senators have spoken before me. I request that the Leader examine...

Seanad: Compulsory Retirement from the Irish Army of Lieutenant Dónal de Róiste: Motion (10 Mar 2010)

Dominic Hannigan: I intend to, but I want to make the point that as a result of that I am unable to stay to speak for the eight minutes I have been allotted. Consequently, I will have to be brief because of the way the business has been ordered.

Seanad: Compulsory Retirement from the Irish Army of Lieutenant Dónal de Róiste: Motion (10 Mar 2010)

Dominic Hannigan: I will now turn to the issue in hand. I wanted to make that point and I am grateful to the Acting Chairman for allowing me to so do. I thank the Minister of State for a comprehensive summary of the situation. I have gained a lot of knowledge from listening to his contribution and from his explanation of this case. Some 30 years on it is difficult to look at a case afresh and to work out...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Mar 2010)

Dominic Hannigan: I raise the issue of the 30,000 GP referral letters that are sitting in a pile in some office in Dublin. Members must realise that this is extremely worrying for the many people waiting for such consultations. It is probable that approximately one in every 100 Irish people is affected. Lessons must be learned in this regard. Information technology must be used. Other jurisdictions are...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Mar 2010)

Dominic Hannigan: Other Members have raised the difficulties experienced by people who wish to leave the country in seeking passports but I wish to raise the difficulties experienced by people coming into the country. A recent report shows that this year 15 of the 20 busiest European airports will grow, while five will see a reduction in capacity. Dublin Airport is in the latter group and will witness the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Mar 2010)

Dominic Hannigan: A Chathaoirligh, can I call a quorum?

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Mar 2010)

Dominic Hannigan: Today is D-Day for the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, and how he deals with the Irish banking sector. As one commentator in The Irish Times put it, it is the most significant day in the country's economic history since the foundation of the State. We have spoken before in this House about whether we should nationalise the banks. The fact is, however, that by the Minister's...

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Mar 2010)

Dominic Hannigan: I do not share his concerns. Today's announcement is potentially good news for the Irish taxpayer. I am glad to see we are having a debate on the issue, however, and I suggest that from this point forward we should have a rolling debate on banks and how we can get out of this crisis. People will be relieved by the announcement this morning that the Government and trade unions have come to...

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Apr 2010)

Dominic Hannigan: Senator Mooney made a valid point. As an island nation, it is incumbent on the Minister for Transport, Deputy Dempsey, to be at the forefront in the discussions with his European counterparts with a view to minimising the impact of the problem which, as we all know, could persist for days. Solutions that would be acceptable in terms of safety should be explored. The Minister should take...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Apr 2010)

Dominic Hannigan: I inform the House that at the successful Labour Party conference at the weekend we unanimously passed a motion to show solidarity with the workers in the Quinn Group based in counties Cavan, Monaghan, Louth and Meath. I welcome to the Visitors Gallery Councillor Shane O' Reilly who has done much work in recent weeks with the group. On the air transport issue which seems to have been...

Seanad: Female Genital Mutilation Bill 2010: Second Stage (21 Apr 2010)

Dominic Hannigan: I pay tribute to my colleagues, Senators Bacik and Prendergast, for introducing this Bill. As other Members have said, FGM is an appalling abuse of the human body. Up to 130 million women across the world have already being mutilated by the practice. In a recent research paper on obstetrics and gynaecology, the researchers stated instruments used to perform FGM included unsterilised...

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Apr 2010)

Dominic Hannigan: The news that the Quinn Group is to be allowed to write new insurance in the UK is welcome for its employees. Senator O'Reilly and I attended a meeting in Navan last week with 200 Quinn Group employees. Navan, as the House will know, is suffering severe unemployment at the moment, so the last thing it needs is further job losses. The number one priority expressed to us by staff was a...