Results 941-960 of 7,604 for speaker:James Bannon

Seanad: Visa Applications. (4 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to respond to my motion concerning the refusal of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform to grant visitor visas to Nana Kwyku Agyeman, who was born on 23 June 1994, and Kofio Oppoku Agyeman, who was born on 7 July 1990. They are both minors. These boys have applied through their mother, Mrs. Agatha Agyeman, and her husband,...

Seanad: Visa Applications. (4 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: Only two wish to travel to Ireland.

Seanad: Visa Applications. (4 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: I will bring the information given by the Minister of State to the notice of the family and to the social workers dealing with the case.

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: Following a report circulated by RGDATA on what it describes as "ghost town Britain", it is important to invite the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Harney, to the House to debate the action needed to avoid "ghost town Ireland". I am concerned at the great number of small rural post offices, shops and other business outlets that are closing down in rural...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: I support the amendment calling for motion No. 23 to be taken today if at all possible. I am glad the Leader has not tabled an amendment to the motion. It looks as if she is in favour of its contents.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: Like myself she must be listening to senior planners throughout the country.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: On another issue, I ask for a debate on the future of EU cohesion policy in Ireland post-2006. I understand submissions are being made by a number of bodies as regards funding post-2006. It is important we have a debate on this issue in terms of the country's competitiveness, growth etc. We want to see real balanced regional development. There has been much talk about this by Government, but...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: We are still a democracy.

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: I welcome the Minister. It is a cure for sore eyes to see the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in the House. He has been absent for the last three or four Bills sponsored by his Department that were passed by the Seanad.

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: However, he has returned and has taken a new-found interest in local——

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: It goes without saying that any opportunity to discuss rural development or the lack of it must be welcomed. It would be impossible to consider rural development without giving due regard to the people who live and work in rural areas and giving priority to ensuring their economic and social well-being. That is what the guidelines do not do. The guidelines do not consider the good of the...

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: These guidelines have been introduced in contemptuous disregard for the House and they signal nothing more than the start of the local and European elections campaigns.

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: This is despite the fact that most local authorities have already made provision in their county development plans for the categories outlined in the Minister's proposals. The Minister's once-off housing guidelines will have no effect on the success or otherwise of rural planning applications. This is the view of many planners from different local authorities to whom I have spoken in recent days.

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: It has always been the policy of Fine Gael to allow and encourage people to build houses in rural areas.

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: The Government's U-turn on the eve of the local and European elections and the Fianna Fáil Ard-Fheis is nothing short of opportunism. I was interested to note that Mr. Ian Lumley, heritage officer of An Taisce——

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: ——who one assumes to be impartial, attended the Ard-Fheis last weekend. Was he present as a member of the party or is there more to his attendance than meets the eye?

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: This is the man who has accused the people of rural Ireland who are trying to build homes for themselves of massive fraud in their planning applications. Mr. Lumley is not worthy of his position and should be removed without further delay.

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: I have my own views and I am entitled to them.

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: I have my own views and I am entitled to them.

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: If it hurts the Cathaoirleach, I will withdraw it.