Results 1,961-1,980 of 7,604 for speaker:James Bannon

Seanad: Asylum Applications. (15 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: —— and their children in hiding because of the actions of the State. It is now up to the State, and to the Minister to allow these women to return to Ireland and be reunited with their families. He must let Emmanuel return to a normal home life.

Seanad: Asylum Applications. (15 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: I appeal to the Government to adhere to the terms of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. That a child is on the run as a fugitive in Athlone, County Westmeath, gives a bad impression of this country. Every possible effort needs to be made to ensure that the child can be reunited with his mother.

Seanad: Asylum Applications. (15 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: Does the Minister know where he is?

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: I support the call by Senator Brian Hayes for an update on Seanad reform proposals. When Senator O'Rourke took over as Leader of the House, it was one of her aims, as announced in a fanfare of publicity, to bring forward legislation in this area. We have heard very little since the report was published. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Agriculture and Food to the House to attend a...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: It would entail having to break ranks.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: It is over a year and a half since the constituency boundaries commission delivered its report on changes to constituency boundaries but we are still waiting for legislation in this regard. Will the Leader update us as to when the Electoral (Amendment) Bill will be introduced to the House? We were promised it would be introduced this session. Increasing numbers of people are taking up walking...

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: However, a small percentage do not use any type of reflective armbands or clothing. Will the Leader invite the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to debate the introduction of legislation making it an offence for pedestrians to use our country roads without proper reflective armbands? There is a serious situation with regard to accidents involving pedestrians. The poor motorist is...

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: I am sure Senator O'Rourke will too.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: Throughout the country, from Donegal to Kerry and Dublin to Galway, including the midlands, thousands of families in social and affordable housing have been let down by this Government.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: I am disappointed there was not a debate on housing in this Chamber during the last term, despite numerous calls from this side of the House.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: We have requested a debate on housing on several occasions but this has not taken place. The Taoiseach is out at chip shops or tile stores making announcements with regard to land swaps with some of his own cronies in order to provide affordable houses. This is shameful.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: Some 10,000 affordable houses were promised by the Government but less than 800 have been delivered.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: It is a shameful record for any Government.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: The cracks are developing.

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: We need a fresh look at the structures in place to promote our tourism industry. The regional boards we have at present have outlived their usefulness. Last week's ITIC survey showed worrying trends in tourism. There has been a decline in the number of bednights, tourists are spending less time in Ireland and there are fewer UK visitors. Tour operators, agencies involved in tourism and...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: I welcome the Minister of State. The Taoiseach said in the Dáil on 27 April that this would be the last Electoral (Amendment) Bill in the life of the Government, which is to say it will be the last before the next general election. While essentially dealing with the implementation of the recommendations of the report of the Constituency Commission, published in January 2004, relating to the...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: The commission report should have been dealt with separately and deserved the courtesy of being thus highlighted.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: We are obliged to sort out the major cock-up made by the previous Minister but that should be done independently. His railroading of an e-voting system that was blatantly flawed posed a real threat to our democracy. Its long drawn out storage poses a serious threat to the public purse. When will the Minister of State publicly admit that the machines purchased by his predecessor are not viable...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: I welcome the publication of the Dáil Constituency Commission report——

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: ——and congratulate the commission on honouring historical and geographical constituency boundaries to such an extent, given its difficult task. An exception is the controversial decision on my neighbour, County Leitrim, which raises numerous questions.