Results 1,121-1,140 of 7,604 for speaker:James Bannon

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

James Bannon: How do we know it involves a potential charge?

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

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 37: In page 16, between lines 40 and 41, to insert the following paragraph: "(a) such reports on the Nedap Powervote system which present a comparative analysis of the reliability, security, integrity and verifiability of that system as compared with other systems of electronic voting which are in use in other countries, or which are available for acquisition,". We should...

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 May 2004)

James Bannon: Why was there such a mad rush yesterday to push the Electoral (Amendment) Bill through the House?

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 May 2004)

James Bannon: This type of action damages our democracy——

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 May 2004)

James Bannon: It undermines people's confidence in our legislative decisions. That is a fact. I seek a debate on crime. Every day an average of 2,840 crimes are committed in this country. Gun related crime has increased by 50% and theft has increased by 80% since the Government was re-elected. We were promised 2,000 extra gardaí but they have not been appointed. Resources are needed to detect and...

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 May 2004)

James Bannon: That is Government policy.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (12 May 2004)

James Bannon: I second the amendment. I refer to amendment No. 10. The reputation and authority of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has diminished among the public and also among the ranks of his own political party. It is necessary to remind him that we live in a democracy and it is important that this amendment is taken on board. The Minister is still director of elections...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (12 May 2004)

James Bannon: May I contribute?

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (12 May 2004)

James Bannon: Am I allowed to speak on amendment No. 10?

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (12 May 2004)

James Bannon: I call for a quorum.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (12 May 2004)

James Bannon: I second the amendment. Interference with the voting system would be a dreadful attack on our democracy so it is important that there are deterrents in place. I compliment Senator Quinn on putting down this amendment. He suggests a fine of €15,000 but that figure should be higher. The term of five years imprisonment could also be reconsidered. Our democracy demands that we have proper and...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages (Resumed). (12 May 2004)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 4: In page 7, between lines 3 and 4, to insert the following: "'source code' means the data which defines the principles or logic governing the operation of a system of electronic voting;". The integrity and security of the voting system is fundamental to the exercise of democracy. Machines and their operating software must be subject to the most rigorous and...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages (Resumed). (12 May 2004)

James Bannon: I am extremely disappointed with what the Minister of State has said. This is an indictment of democracy. The Minister of State says nothing can be done because nothing was done within 14 days of the general election. This information was not in the public domain at that time. The Minister of State's response disappoints me and the candidates who were affected by this matter.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages (Resumed). (12 May 2004)

James Bannon: On 10 December 2003, Ms Margaret McGaley and others, addressing the Joint Committee on the Environment and Local Government, said all that was required was that minimum safety precautions be put in place. The witnesses pointed out to the joint committee that the proposed system posed genuine threats to our democracy. Ms McGaley said the proposed system was not worthy of the electorate's...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages (Resumed). (12 May 2004)

James Bannon: It is related to the amendment. It is the system that was used.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages (Resumed). (12 May 2004)

James Bannon: I was hoping the Minister of State would respond.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages (Resumed). (12 May 2004)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 5: In page 7, between lines 3 and 4, to insert the following: "'voter-verified paper record' has the meaning assigned to it in section 5;". This amendment inserts a definition of the term "voter-verified record". It is connected to my earlier proposal regarding the new section 5, which requires a voter-verified paper record. This is something for which the Opposition and...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages (Resumed). (12 May 2004)

James Bannon: It is important we protect public confidence in our voting system. The amendment seeks a viable paper trail which could be used to check the accuracy of the machines. I pointed out to the House examples of anomalies in two constituencies in the 2002 general election. In one example, there were more votes in a box than votes cast and, in another, there were less. This needs to be reconsidered....

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages (Resumed). (12 May 2004)

James Bannon: Following the events at AIB, more customers will look at their balances.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages (Resumed). (12 May 2004)

James Bannon: I am pressing the amendment. Amendment put.