Results 2,881-2,900 of 3,550 for speaker:Dominic Hannigan

Seanad: Haiti Disaster: Motion (Resumed) (27 Jan 2010)

Dominic Hannigan: There is a big difference.

Seanad: Haiti Disaster: Motion (Resumed) (27 Jan 2010)

Dominic Hannigan: I welcome the Minister of State and start by expressing the sincere condolences of the Labour Party to the people of Haiti for the recent terrible catastrophe that visited their shores. When the earthquake struck, it took over 100,000 lives and left 3 million injured and traumatised. I want to focus, however, on the response to the tragedy and what needs to be done in the years ahead....

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (27 Jan 2010)

Dominic Hannigan: On behalf of the Labour Party, I extend condolences to the wife and children of the former Senator and Deputy, Billy Kenneally, on the family's great loss. Billy Kenneally was a member of the 16th Seanad, having been elected on the Administrative Panel, in 1982 and 1983. While I did not have the honour of serving with him, from speaking to Deputies in the constituency of Waterford, I know...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jan 2010)

Dominic Hannigan: I welcome and salute the commitments given by the Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs in seeking agreement with their British and Northern Ireland counterparts to solve the current problems in the North. We all wish them well. It is in the interests of the people on both islands that they reach a solution as soon as possible. I support Senator Ó Murchú's request for a debate on...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jan 2010)

Dominic Hannigan: Is that the bypass?

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage (26 Jan 2010)

Dominic Hannigan: I welcome the Minister of State. I also welcome the introduction of this legislation. It represents a step forward in animal welfare in this country, but that is not to say I welcome all aspects of the legislation. I have some issues about some of its provisions, with which I will deal later. I serve notice that we may table some amendments to it on Committee Stage but, in general terms,...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jan 2010)

Dominic Hannigan: I join my colleagues in welcoming Senator Paschal Mooney to the House and wish him all the best for the future. I hope he enjoys his time here and I am sure he will make a very positive contribution to the House, as he has done in the past. I also express my condolences to the people of Haiti for the awful catastrophe that occurred there over Christmas. At times such as this one sees people...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: I welcome the two new Senators to the House and I hope they have many happy years here. This morning's reports from Copenhagen are not optimistic on the chances of reaching a deal. I was there a few days ago and one thing that struck me was the sheer number of ordinary citizens in attendance who were trying to make their voices heard. While we all have a role to play and while individual...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Dec 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: That is not true.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Dec 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: I believed I did, but I might have got the wording wrong. I meant to move an amendment.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Dec 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: No. I am prepared to accept the Leader's assurances that we will have an opportunity to speak.

Seanad: Statute Law Revision Bill 2009: Second and Subsequent Stages (10 Dec 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: I welcome the Minister of State. I also welcome this rather curious legislation which essentially clears out many thousands of private statutes and local and personal Acts that have fallen into obsolescence and irrelevance during the years. It is an extraordinarily diligent piece of work to have to go through in excess of 10,700 Acts. I compliment the Attorney General and his staff on the...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Dec 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: Yesterday's budget has been a disappointment to many people, both inside this House and outside it. Time has been arranged for a debate on the budget later today, so I will focus my attention on a few particular areas. The Labour Party considers that the budget is unfair and potentially socially divisive. It fails the fairness test in that it fails to protect those who are worst off, not...

Seanad: Climate Change: Statements (10 Dec 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I want to speak briefly about the ongoing negotiations in Copenhagen as well as some of the climate change challenges facing Ireland. Observing the global response to climate change has been increasingly depressing. Progress is too slow, opposing interests are too rich and fine words are too often unaccompanied by any real action. The climate...

Seanad: Consumer Protection (Gift Vouchers) Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Dec 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and second the motion pertaining to this Bill which is being presented by my colleague Senator Ryan. I compliment him on his legislation which could enhance the rights of consumers at the stroke of a pen. It is disappointing that the Government has failed to act in this area. For the last 12 and a half years it has caved in to powerful vested...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Dec 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: As someone who represents a county that borders Ulster, I also am highly interested in the suggested reduction in excise duties. I am unsure whether it will have the effect of reducing the level of cross-Border shopping. I would prefer to see the Minister calling in the various multinational retailers and inducing them to reduce the prices of goods. When Deputy Gilmore and I visited...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Dec 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: Senator Quinn queried whether the introduction of the Labour Party Bill tomorrow night on gift vouchers, might not, perhaps, be too trivial. We would like to see the debate widened to include consumer issues in general, which is very relevant coming up to the Christmas period when many people will spend a great deal of money. It is very important that we highlight the whole issue of...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: The Minister for Finance is putting the final touches to the budget. One area in which we should stand firm is overseas aid. In the past year there has been a disproportionate cut of 22% in the overseas aid budget, which is having a real impact on people's lives. One thing of which we can be extremely proud is the amount of good work we do overseas in saving people's lives. The proposed...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: On a point of order, that is the same answer that was given to us over a month ago. We need to see action. People are paying excess fees as a result of unregulated management companies, and we need the Bill back in this House quickly.

Seanad: Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Second Stage (18 Nov 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: I propose to share time with Senator Doherty.