Results 741-760 of 891 for speaker:John Minihan

Seanad: Public Hospital Land: Motion. (31 May 2006)

John Minihan: On that note I will continue.

Seanad: Public Hospital Land: Motion. (31 May 2006)

John Minihan: I am delighted that this subject is before us this evening. I was very disappointed in the motion moved by Fine Gael and the Labour Party. As the Tánaiste said, rarely has there been in this House such a poorly thought-out or worded motion. I do not know whether this is a result of Labour's influence on Fine Gael or the other way around but if this is the standard that is the result of the...

Seanad: Public Hospital Land: Motion. (31 May 2006)

John Minihan: ——the voters, and most importantly the patients will be rightly nervous about what is coming down the track. The wording of the motion denies the reality which is in fact known to Members opposite. Seldom does useful or quality work emanate from wilful self-delusion. This is no exception. The opening line of Senator Browne's motion refers to the giving away of public land to private...

Seanad: Public Hospital Land: Motion. (31 May 2006)

John Minihan: Although this was made crystal clear three weeks ago, Fine Gael does not want to let the facts get in the way of its agenda. It is sad that we cannot have a clear and realistic debate. The Opposition's motion deliberately gives the impression that land is being made available, with no strings attached to private developers. It is not. Even if the Opposition dosed not want to listen to me or...

Seanad: Public Hospital Land: Motion. (31 May 2006)

John Minihan: There we have the Fine Gael view. Not only are Fine Gael's new health ideas bad ideas, but as Deputy Olivia Mitchell's statement shows, it has totally abandoned any good ideas it had on health.

Seanad: Public Hospital Land: Motion. (31 May 2006)

John Minihan: l will conclude with the following questions. When, at the cost of the private sector, 105 additional public beds become available in Tallaght, will the local Fine Gael and Labour representatives object? Will they object when the 118 additional beds become available at Limerick regional hospital or when the additional 85 beds for public patients become available at Waterford regional...

Seanad: Public Hospital Land: Motion. (31 May 2006)

John Minihan: On a point of order, for the record, I spoke to no official from the Department of Health and Children nor was I handed any script by anyone from the Department. I ask for the Senator's suggestive comment to be withdrawn.

Seanad: Public Hospital Land: Motion. (31 May 2006)

John Minihan: It was a false accusation. I make no apologies for my preparation. If Fine Gael had prepared its motion, it would not be in the mess it is in now.

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (2 Jun 2006)

John Minihan: I welcome the Minister to the House. I congratulate him on the statements he made in recent days about how the State would lodge a very strong appeal today and the outcome of that appeal. I hope he may notice that the sun is shining outside because he has not seen it for the past few days. The Minister made clear that the circumstances that have brought us to this point are utterly...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Jun 2006)

John Minihan: Senator Ryan raised the issue that the country is confronted by a scandalous abuse of human rights. I want to raise another scandalous abuse of human rights. I have always argued that the killing of Detective Garda Jerry McCabe was intentional, calculated and cold-blooded.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Jun 2006)

John Minihan: Last night's programme on RTE confirmed this. Mr. Gerry Adams said the killing was wrong and the operation was sanctioned by an authorised person at a lower level, yet he refuses to name that authorised person. This morning on Radio Kerry, Deputy Ferris said he would not describe the killers of Jerry McCabe as criminals. He went on to say that he could not encourage anyone with information on...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Jun 2006)

John Minihan: It had nothing to do with the Minister, he does not lay down the Order of Business.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Jun 2006)

John Minihan: The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has nothing to do with the Order of Business.

Seanad: Health (Repayment Scheme) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (7 Jun 2006)

John Minihan: I am waiting. I have been listening.

Seanad: Health (Repayment Scheme) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (7 Jun 2006)

John Minihan: I join with previous speakers in welcoming the Minister of State and his officials to the House. Just three weeks ago, we discussed ageism. In my contribution, I referred to research that noted the perception that the State does not do enough for older people. I said there was an onus on all of us to take steps to counter ageism, as well as highlighting the positive steps that are being taken...

Seanad: Death of Former Taoiseach: Expressions of Sympathy. (13 Jun 2006)

John Minihan: On behalf of the Progressive Democrats I would like to express sympathy to the family of Charles Haughey, particularly his wife Maureen, his children Eimear, Conor, Ciarán and Seán, our parliamentary colleague in the Dáil. This is a sad time for them, the wider Haughey family and his colleagues in Fianna Fáil. Our party leader said this morning that when Mr. Haughey retired as Taoiseach...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Jun 2006)

John Minihan: I support the statement by Senator Brian Hayes on the unprovoked attack on a member of the fire service. We should have strong laws to protect those working in our emergency services. It is not unusual for false calls to lure Garda cars, fire engines or ambulances into an area where they can be attacked by people. A clear message must go out on this issue. I ask the Leader to arrange a debate...

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Jun 2006)

John Minihan: Senator Norris is obviously going sailing with Senator O'Toole.

Seanad: Use of Irish Airports: Motion. (14 Jun 2006)

John Minihan: I welcome the Minister of State and his officials to the House. I am grateful to have this opportunity to speak again on this important topic. It is less than four months since this issue was the subject of a Private Member's motion in this House and the reality is that not much has changed in that time. What is new is the publication of the Council of Europe Report on CIA Rendition Flights,...

Seanad: Adult and Further Education: Statements. (21 Jun 2006)

John Minihan: She is doing very well and should keep going.