Results 1,761-1,780 of 7,604 for speaker:James Bannon

Seanad: National Spatial Strategy: Statements. (23 Feb 2005)

James Bannon: The BMW report and other reports on the west recognise the point. The same can be said for Abbeyshrule Airport, which has a population of 250,000 within a 30 mile radius. The Government has so far ignored both airports' requests for increased investment to facilitate an increase in the number and frequency of their routes, particularly the desire to begin transatlantic routes. While I do not...

Seanad: National Spatial Strategy: Statements. (23 Feb 2005)

James Bannon: The Government should consider the logic of investing in and promoting this small regional airport in the midlands. I compliment the local aviation club on its untiring efforts since 1958 to ensure that the airport remains in operation. It provides a fantastic tourist amenity as well as supporting infrastructure in the midlands.

Seanad: National Spatial Strategy: Statements. (23 Feb 2005)

James Bannon: We are doing better than Galway at the moment. The BMW region innovation report, which was commissioned by the BMW regional assembly and published in November 2004, points to a significant gap in the level of technological innovation and research and development activity taking place in the BMW region and calls for greater resources to be allocated to this area. The report recommends that...

Seanad: National Spatial Strategy: Statements. (23 Feb 2005)

James Bannon: Only one of the three third generation, 3G, licensees is required to provide services outside the five major cities. In the absence of competition, 3G services in the western region are likely to be more expensive. Funding to the rural transport initiative was cut by 50% in budget 2004. The interdepartmental committee on rural transport's key findings included the following, which I...

Seanad: National Spatial Strategy: Statements. (23 Feb 2005)

James Bannon: Some 40% of people living in rural Ireland do not have access to a basic bus or rail service, 20% rarely or never have access to a car for shopping or health checks, only 30% living in the countryside or in towns or villages with a population under 1,500 have daily morning or evening commuter services and over 25% are unable to make important trips due to a lack of transport.

Seanad: National Spatial Strategy: Statements. (23 Feb 2005)

James Bannon: I could go on and on but the message is clear. Little has been done and there is much to do. I hope the incoming Government will have an agenda and will deliver on it.

Seanad: School Staffing. (23 Feb 2005)

James Bannon: I welcome the Minister and thank him for taking this motion regarding St. Mary's national school in Drumlish, County Longford, roll number 166655. It is a six-teacher school with four full-time members of the teaching staff, one learning support teacher and one part-time resource teacher for ten hours per week. With 84 pupils on the roll, the school employs a part-time secretary and cleaner...

Seanad: School Staffing. (23 Feb 2005)

James Bannon: I think the Minister of State is a former teacher or was involved with the teaching profession. Does he think it totally inadequate to offer any school €10,000 per annum to pay a salary to both a secretary and a cleaner in this day and age? The schools are totally underfunded. The Government needs to look at this area.

Seanad: School Staffing. (23 Feb 2005)

James Bannon: I am speaking not only on behalf of one school but of all the schools in the country. I ask the Minister of State to consider increasing the funding to schools.

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Mar 2005)

James Bannon: A recent survey has shown that the health service and health facilities have deteriorated greatly over the past four months under the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children. This has been pointed out by hospital managers and others involved in the health service. Will the Leader invite the Minister to the House to explain what purpose she is serving by running around the country...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Mar 2005)

James Bannon: This is happening in several parts of the country, including the midlands.

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Mar 2005)

James Bannon: It came out last week. The Leader does not live in the midlands any more.

Seanad: Waste Management: Statements. (2 Mar 2005)

James Bannon: I thank the Minister for coming here today so soon after I called for a debate on waste management during the Order of Business on Wednesday, 23 February 2005. I stated then that the Progressive Democrats unanimously agreed to scrap the regional waste management plan at their last parliamentary party meeting and to bring forward a national plan for a super-incinerator. It is proposed to...

Seanad: Waste Management: Statements. (2 Mar 2005)

James Bannon: I will in due course. I went on to say that it is time to have a debate on waste management because it is evident that there are differences in the Government on this issue. Waste management in Ireland has become a deeply contentious and divisive issue, particularly in regard to incineration with "nimbyism", now the buzzword for some political parties, who are saying yes to incineration but...

Seanad: Waste Management: Statements. (2 Mar 2005)

James Bannon: In particular I refer to the Progressive Democrats' incinerator policy and call on Deputy Sexton, who is a Progressive Democrats Deputy from Longford, to come clean on that document in the light of her recent comments on radio, which do not tally with her party's stated aims. This followed the publication of the facts concerning a certain Galway-based Progressive Democrats Deputy. With the...

Seanad: Waste Management: Statements. (2 Mar 2005)

James Bannon: Deputy Sexton urgently needs to come clean and let the people of the midlands know her intention and that of her party on the proposed super-incinerator and avoid making accusations which, as she knows only too well from her experience this week, can end up in the High Court. Deputy Sexton and her party must answer some questions. Are the Progressive Democrats now in favour of mass burn...

Seanad: Waste Management: Statements. (2 Mar 2005)

James Bannon: It is shameful that a member of the Government parties should act in this manner. Under the proposed PD national plan, a mass incinerator would be built to cover the total needs of the country and, according to the party, it would almost certainly be sited in the midlands, despite the commitment in the Progressive Democrats' local election manifesto that the party remains opposed to mass burn...

Seanad: Waste Management: Statements. (2 Mar 2005)

James Bannon: The Progressive Democrats have scrapped it as part of their policy.

Seanad: Waste Management: Statements. (2 Mar 2005)

James Bannon: That is wishful thinking.

Seanad: Waste Management: Statements. (2 Mar 2005)

James Bannon: Has the Government developed markets for recycled products, 70% of which are exported?