Results 1,081-1,100 of 7,604 for speaker:James Bannon

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (11 May 2004)

James Bannon: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Gallagher. He made the best case for abandoning electronic voting last February when——

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (11 May 2004)

James Bannon: This is an embarrassing day for the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gallagher, who would not listen to Opposition parties.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (11 May 2004)

James Bannon: I support the amendment. Due to the need for accountability, safeguards have to be built in because of the arrogant Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. It is probable that he is the most arrogant Minister to ever set foot in this House.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (11 May 2004)

James Bannon: He has cost taxpayers €60 million. That has to be highlighted because there is great anger among the public about the squandering of this money. That €60 million could have been spent on improving the health service, the home help service, the carer's allowance and so on. It is a scandal that the Minister is being let off the hook. The Taoiseach's ability to lead the Government should be...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (11 May 2004)

James Bannon: I support the amendments because of the need for transparency and accountability. I am entitled to speak on transparency and accountability because the Minister of State, Deputy Gallagher, said in the House in February that he feared an accompanying paper trail could give a different result from that of electronic voting.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (11 May 2004)

James Bannon: That is what the Minister of State told the House. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government still did not abandon the system even though we had evidence that it was flawed. It is shameful that the Government continued to push a system that cost the country an arm and a leg — over €60 million — and went ahead with its publicity campaign when it was told to call off...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (11 May 2004)

James Bannon: It is important that the public has confidence in the electronic voting system which is chosen because confidence in the electoral system is the bedrock of any democracy. While the Fine Gael Party is in favour of electronic voting and has indicated that support on numerous occasions, we want a system that can be trusted. I compliment the independent commission on its fine work. The commission...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (11 May 2004)

James Bannon: Fianna Fáil did not listen to the advice given to the committee.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (11 May 2004)

James Bannon: I support the amendment and I agree with the sentiments expressed by Senator McCarthy. The Minister is director of elections for Fianna Fáil and that represents a conflict of interest. Under the code of conduct for local authority members, they must declare their interests in absolutely everything before they even attend a local authority meeting. During the run up to the last general...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (11 May 2004)

James Bannon: They are not abiding by it. They——

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (11 May 2004)

James Bannon: Deputy Cooper-Flynn——

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (11 May 2004)

James Bannon: The Minister referred to a former Minister for the Environment who was a member of my party.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (11 May 2004)

James Bannon: That was an honest Government. It was a Government of integrity and decency and none of its Ministers ever came before an investigative tribunal. They were all decent, honourable men and we are proud of them.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (11 May 2004)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 3: In page 5, before section 1, to insert the following new section: 1. —(1) No electronic voting system may be adopted for use in an election or referendum unless all parties in Dáil Éireann are in agreement on all aspects of the adoption and use of a particular system of electronic voting. (2) Nothing in this Act or any other enactment shall permit the trial,...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (11 May 2004)

James Bannon: It refers to political parties.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (11 May 2004)

James Bannon: Former Taoiseach Deputy John Bruton alerted the Taoiseach to many of the issues, which became findings of the independent commission, as far back as 8 April 2002 in the run up to the last general election. If the Taoiseach had taken Deputy Bruton's views into consideration then and established an all-party committee, it would have saved the country a great deal of money. We are the guardians...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (11 May 2004)

James Bannon: It originated in the Oireachtas.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (11 May 2004)

James Bannon: In 2001, the Government promised it would not introduce electronic voting without all-party agreement. The Government reneged on that promise at huge expense to the State which is why I am pressing the amendment. Amendment put.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (11 May 2004)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 5: In page 6, lines 5 and 6, to delete subsection (9) and substitute the following: "(9) Where it is proposed to make an order under this Act, a draft of the order shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas. (10) The order shall not be made until a resolution approving the draft has been passed by each such House.". Due to the breadth of the orders the Minister may...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (11 May 2004)

James Bannon: I am disappointed by the Minister's response. We are elected by the people to serve them and it is important we do not undermine public confidence. The amendment deals with the issue of transparency and I am not prepared to withdraw it. Amendment put.