Results 881-900 of 996 for speaker:John Gerard Hanafin

Seanad: European Financial Stability Facility Bill 2010: Motion for Earlier Signature (1 Jul 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: Amárach ag 10.30 a.m.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Jul 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: The debate on the Civil Partnership Bill 2009 is due to take place in the House tomorrow and on Thursday. At this late stage, I request that the leader of the Green Party in the House should see to it that a free vote is allowed on the legislation. There is a mood among members of the public to the effect that there has not been full and frank debate on this matter. The lack of such a...

Seanad: Central Bank Reform Bill 2010: Second Stage (6 Jul 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: I welcome the Minister. In supporting the Bill I am very cognisant of the fact that we will adodpt an integrated approach. I share the views of my colleagues who spoke about light touch regulation and the subsequent events which proved that this was not the correct way to proceed. Now that this has become apparent, we are proceeding on a different line. The purpose of the Bill is to...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jul 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: It is important to start celebrating economic events. We should recognise that the ESB has acquired Northern Ireland Electricity which will create synergies and opportunities, North and South. It is important to discuss these flagship enterprises, take an interest in them and seek to ensure they develop to their full potential, especially in the light of the opportunities available in the...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Second Stage (7 Jul 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: One of the benefits of speaking later in a debate is that one has an opportunity to listen to the views of earlier speakers. I hope to give Senator Alex White reasons some of us oppose sections of the Bill and have proposed amendments thereto. When one listens to other speakers one also hears inaccuracies. I know certain of the Senators present are pushing strongly for gay marriage in the...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Second Stage (7 Jul 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: Senator Norris looks for freedom of speech for people 6,000 km away or 600 km away and will not allow people to speak in the House. I ask to be allowed to speak uninterrupted.

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Second Stage (7 Jul 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: It is most difficult for people to act on their conscience at times, but they need to do it.

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (7 Jul 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: I share the views expressed by the Chair. I have every intention of speaking to the amendment which I second. Senator Walsh's proposal, although reasonable, was misrepresented. I do not like to hear of standards of conduct being imposed on other Senators to which others do not adhere in any way. I referred before to the intolerance of liberals and, sadly, this can be the case. If we wish...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (7 Jul 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: I agree with those Senators who express the view that the ideal situation is a loving and caring relationship for the child with a mother and a father. If that is a biological mother and father, then all the better, but if not, then it should be an adoptive mother and father because that is as nature has given it to us. Given that nature would have some interest in this matter, we should...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Jul 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: Along with my two colleagues, I support the amendment which would clearly define the difference between civil partnership and marriage. That is the crux of the issue we wish to put forward.

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Jul 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: Like all other Senators, I am shocked by the tragedy on the Inishowen Peninsula in which so many young lives were lost. It prompts the need for a full and thorough debate on where we are going on the issue of road safety. I am aware that the Taoiseach is in New York where he is doing a fine job in raising funds for the development of new technologies. With that in mind, I ask for a debate...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jul 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: Earlier we received indications from ESRI representatives about what they believe might happen to the structural deficit. Its presentation as a fait accompli by the Opposition is typical. The reality is EUROSTAT decides what will happen, not the ESRI. It has been universally accepted, other than by the Opposition, that the way the economy has been managed is the best means of restoring...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jul 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: We came to a crossroads and took tough decisions on behalf of the nation. However, we are beginning to see the benefits. I welcome the announcement by Tesco of the creation of 750 jobs.

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Sep 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: I look forward to the debate we will have on the banking situation in the next few weeks. However, I am cognisant that we should have facts presented before the House. To suggest that interest rates are at unsustainable levels is nothing short of nonsense. In the 1980s we had a debt-GDP ratio of 130%, 18% unemployment and 18% inflation, and we got through that. I hear radio commentators...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Sep 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: There are many positive elements. All efforts at job creation should be welcomed. Second, it is a very fortunate aspect of the Seanad that we get to speak about international events. A recent event at the United Nations will have resonance throughout the world, namely, the Iranian President's questioning of whether terrorists undertook the 11 September attacks. There is no doubt but that...

Seanad: Credit Institutions (Eligible Liabilities Guarantee) (Amendment) Scheme 2010: Motion (Resumed) (29 Sep 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: I will be brief because I realise others are anxious to speak. I am conscious we have been asked why we criticise those who object to the scheme's extension. We were looking at a different situation two years ago. We did not know whether we would have a viable banking system in the morning. We sat all night and did our duty correctly. The debate showed a major fracture between the...

Seanad: Credit Institutions (Eligible Liabilities Guarantee) (Amendment) Scheme 2010: Motion (Resumed) (29 Sep 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: AIB has raised more than €1 billion. If Senator Twomey wishes to speak for Fianna Fáil, he should go ahead, but I am prepared to do so at the moment.

Seanad: Credit Institutions (Eligible Liabilities Guarantee) (Amendment) Scheme 2010: Motion (Resumed) (29 Sep 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: I will go through the list. AIB has raised more than €1 billion, Irish Life & Permanent has raised €379 million and EBS has received offers from five companies, with Americans prepared to pay up to €850 million to buy into it. Two other institutions are causing considerable difficulties and will see their assets transferred to the National Treasury Management Agency, NTMA. Tomorrow,...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Sep 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: In light of the facts that we have this morning of the very disturbing figures, albeit that they are horrendous they are manageable, it is not necessarily a time just to say that is then and this is now. We do have to look again and see what actually happened. It is my contention that not only was there reckless lending but there was knowingly reckless lending. That is something we must...

Seanad: National Economy: Statements (30 Sep 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: I support what the previous speaker has said, especially in light of his suggestion that there is a way forward and there is light at the end of the tunnel. This month alone saw one of the largest decreases in numbers on the live register, with 5,000 people coming off it. I am very conscious that we can talk down an economy, which has happened, despite being self-defeating. For example,...