Results 1,641-1,660 of 7,604 for speaker:James Bannon

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

James Bannon: The Leader would have been like a red rag to a bull in Athlone. The Government's plan to move 10,000 civil servants out of Dublin is in tatters.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

James Bannon: Despite the promise made last December and the firm commitment to move 10,000 civil servants out of Dublin within three years, 29 of the original 53 locations have been abandoned. This monumental mishandling of the decentralisation programme has set back the cause of genuine regional development and caused discontent.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

James Bannon: What we are left with is a shambles which serves neither the staff concerned or the people they serve. The scaled-down programme of decentralisation now proposed shows that this ill-conceived project is now in the difficulties envisaged by the Opposition last year. Deputy Richard Bruton said in the Dáil that decentralisation would not happen, and it has not happened.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

James Bannon: The budget allocation of €20 million would not be enough even to move the furniture out of Dublin. The Government has not thought the decentralisation programme through. A mere €20 million was provided. It is only a pittance in terms of the programme announced in the budget.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

James Bannon: A total of 13 Departments and State bodies will move to 15 locations in the first long-overdue phase of the scaled-down programme. I am delighted that 159 Prison Service jobs have gone to Longford under the plan. As soon as the announcement was made I met the county manager and my colleagues on Longford County Council with a view to calling the Government's bluff. Longford County Council, of...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

James Bannon: We invited the Minister of State to the site.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

James Bannon: Although we had to borrow a spade, we turned the sod to ensure there would be no going back on the Longford project. Following the withdrawal of Cardinal Health's proposed plant, this is good news for the county and I hope the move will be mutually beneficial.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

James Bannon: I welcome the announcement, referred to by the Leader, by Cooper Cameron Corporation of 57 new jobs, which will see Longford placed as the company's global centre of excellence. Other good news is Wessel Cable's extension in Longford, which will create a further 40 new jobs, and Abbott's recent €700 million investment in the town, which will generate in the region of 800 new jobs. These are...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

James Bannon: The country deserves better than a Government which has wilfully deceived the electorate on many occasions but the scale of the deception in regard to decentralisation is mind-blowing. Some 29 of the original 58 towns earmarked for decentralisation have been abandoned by the Government, with all the problems that ensue being dropped on their doorsteps.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

James Bannon: This is not the type of decentralisation that was promised and we are left with a complete shambles.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

James Bannon: I spoke with several auctioneers over the weekend. Property prices will fall by 10% for houses in areas earmarked for decentralisation.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

James Bannon: We are talking about the broken promises of the Government. The Senator cannot blame Mr. Flynn for them.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

James Bannon: I was talking about areas where the Government reneged on its decentralisation commitments.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (30 Nov 2004)

James Bannon: The Government suffered last June in the local and European elections. The public will not be blind going into the general election.

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Dec 2004)

James Bannon: In his opening remarks in today's Budget Statement, will the Minister for Finance apologise to the Fianna Fáil and Progressive Democrats Oireachtas Members——

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Dec 2004)

James Bannon: ——and also issue a statement on the Government's U-turn on the decentralisation issue?

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Dec 2004)

James Bannon: This matter should be a priority as many areas have been let down. On another issue, I ask the Leader to organise a debate on our competitiveness. As we know, Ireland is the third most expensive country in the EU and Dublin is the fourth most expensive capital after Paris, London and Copenhagen. We are pricing ourselves out of the tourism market as evidenced by a 7% drop in tourists visiting...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Dec 2004)

James Bannon: We receive a constant stream of complaints. The Government needs to address the issue with urgency or we will shortly find ourselves in serious difficulty.

Seanad: Budget Statement 2005: Motion. (1 Dec 2004)

James Bannon: Senator Mansergh did not deliver in Tipperary.

Seanad: Budget Statement 2005: Motion. (1 Dec 2004)

James Bannon: The Senator has not taken into account the stealth taxes.