Results 2,301-2,320 of 7,604 for speaker:James Bannon

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill [Seanad] 2009: Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2010)

James Bannon: The Minister of State has not to date delivered on the promises and commitments he gave to people in the midlands. I know of farmers and householders whose water supply remains contaminated because of serious flooding. I do not blame the Minister of State for the rainfall that occurred in November, December and January. It was an act of God. However, he promised support would be provided...

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill [Seanad] 2009: Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2010)

James Bannon: The Minister of State is at odds with most planners throughout the length and breadth of Ireland.

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill [Seanad] 2009: Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2010)

James Bannon: There is a serious problem throughout the length and breadth of this country. I know people who have prime sites in rural and urban Ireland. They are not allowed to construct a house if the site is on a hill, or any sort of a rise in the ground. In recent times, people have been forced to locate their houses in a hollow, or at the bottom of a hill. They are told to move from scenic areas...

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill [Seanad] 2009: Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2010)

James Bannon: Not in the valleys

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill [Seanad] 2009: Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2010)

James Bannon: The Minister of State has a duty to apologise to the decent people of this country, who have been let down since the Green Party went into government with Fianna Fáil. People are crying out for change. The Minister of State can act honourably in this Chamber this afternoon-----

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill [Seanad] 2009: Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2010)

James Bannon: -----by withdrawing his support for the Government and going to the country. There needs to be a test scheme here, and the sooner the better.

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill [Seanad] 2009: Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2010)

James Bannon: That is necessary for the betterment of our society and our people.

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill [Seanad] 2009: Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2010)

James Bannon: Amendments Nos. 10 and 122 will give increased powers to the regional authorities. I strongly object to that.

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill [Seanad] 2009: Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2010)

James Bannon: We need an enhanced grant scheme for home insulation. Funding for the greener home scheme is not sufficient to encourage people to insulate their homes. This needs to be looked at seriously. When Deputy John Gormley became Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government he introduced two grant schemes. I understand one of those schemes has been discontinued in recent months....

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill [Seanad] 2009: Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2010)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 11: In page 12, to delete lines 45 to 53, to delete page 13 and in page 14, to delete lines 1 to 25.

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill [Seanad] 2009: Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2010)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 16: In page 27, between lines 43 and 44, to insert the following: "(a) The National Spatial Strategy shall be approved by the Houses of the Oireachtas.".

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill [Seanad] 2009: Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2010)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 17: In page 27, to delete lines 44 to 47 and in page 28, to delete lines 1 to 3.

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill [Seanad] 2009: Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2010)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 18: In page 28, to delete lines 5 to 12.

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill [Seanad] 2009: Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2010)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 20: In page 30, to delete lines 10 to 50 and in page 31, to delete lines 1 to 10. This amendment relates to the national spatial strategy and I strongly believe it should be approved by both Houses of the Oireachtas. The national spatial strategy was never voted upon but was brought about by Government. Bad decisions were made, especially in the midlands. There was a...

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill [Seanad] 2009: Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2010)

James Bannon: -----around the midlands. We also need an airport.

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill [Seanad] 2009: Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2010)

James Bannon: I have called for this for years. In addition, we need upgrading of the M4 motorway to continue it from Mullingar to Longford, linking up with the route from Sligo which has come back as far as Rooskey. That area of the midlands has been neglected as has the tourism potential of the region. There should be a greater focus on the development of the midlands in the national spatial strategy...

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill [Seanad] 2009: Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2010)

James Bannon: The Green Party was not in Government at the time with Fianna Fáil, but many decisions on the national spatial strategy were taken in the famous Galway tent. There was very little debate in this House on the strategy. There is a view among the public that we got it wrong on the strategy. For example, I served on the Midland Health Board and there was never a whimper of a new hospital for...

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill [Seanad] 2009: Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2010)

James Bannon: -----for a number of months. False appointments were being sent out to them and then those appointments were cancelled when they were due to turn up at the hospital. This was highlighted and an apology was issued by the HSE at that juncture.

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill [Seanad] 2009: Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2010)

James Bannon: I am talking about the creation of the national spatial strategy without a vote and without this Parliament making a decision. We have been let down far too often, because there has been political interference and nod and wink politics. The Green Party is aware of that and was critical of Fianna Fáil behaviour when it was in Opposition for many of the decisions the Government took when the...

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill [Seanad] 2009: Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2010)

James Bannon: I move amendment No.21: In page 31, to delete lines 11 to 41. Question, "That the words proposed to be deleted stand", put and declared carried.