Results 2,901-2,920 of 3,550 for speaker:Dominic Hannigan

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

Dominic Hannigan: I welcome the Minister and confirm that the Labour Party will support the Bill. I reiterate the statements made by my colleague in the other House, Deputy Brian O'Shea, who commended the Minister for the speedy way in which the Bill was published in September. It is impossible to discuss it without placing it in the context of Ireland's neutrality. One point that came across in the first...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Nov 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: I agree with Senator Quinn. Some very interesting and good Ministers could be appointed to the Cabinet if we took the opportunity to appoint people from outside or inside this House and elevated them to such roles. It is something which is done in the United States and the United Kingdom. Gordon Brown has elevated many people from the world of business to the House of Lords and then taken...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Nov 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: I draw Members' attention to two good news stories in recent days. The first is the reopening of the northbound Dublin commuter rail line following several months of disruption. The project was a logistical nightmare but was completed within budget and ahead of schedule. We must give Iarnród Éireann the credit it is due in this instance. It will mean a significant improvement in journey...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Nov 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: I note that Senator Walsh agreed with what Senator Bacik said. I agree with what Senator Walsh said about the need for a debate on the contribution made by Irish people overseas. I have seen at first hand the great work that has been done by some inspiring priests in places such as Malawi. I would like to extend that debate to encompass the young Irish volunteers who spend years working to...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Nov 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: A Chathaoirligh, Senator Bacik is not here to defend herself.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Nov 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: If we are talking about courtesy we should wait until Senator Bacik is in the House and if she chooses to answer then she can do so.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 Nov 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: Our amendment proposes that the Minister "make appropriate assets available for public, community or social use either free or at a non-commercial cost, or transfer assets to appropriate statutory agencies to facilitate such use". We aired this idea last night when the Minister for Defence was present. We pushed it to a vote because we were not satisfied with his answer. Perhaps the...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 Nov 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: Do they have to pay the market value or another value?

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 Nov 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: There is no change in that regard.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 Nov 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: The Minister is saying that the social dividend in the Bill is the elimination of ransom strips and the provision of better planning, which I respectfully suggest is something that could be achieved through existing planning laws and through changes in planning laws if necessary. However, there is nothing in the Bill to redress the imbalance in terms of the lack of youth facilities and the...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: As with Senator Quinn, I attended this morning's meeting with representatives of the Carers Association. I was struck by the dedicated work the association does under very difficult circumstances. I was particularly struck by the need to ensure there are no cuts to respite care which provides carers with an opportunity to do other things in their lives besides spend 24 hours a day in their...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: -----because the Government is considering a proposal as daft as the rationalisation of the VECs. I ask the Leader to see if he can have the Student Support Bill moved out of committee and back onto the floor of the Houses as soon as possible so we can get on with it, thus ensuring it is easier for students to live their lives and get their grants.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Nov 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: Last week the Labour Party tabled a motion in the Dáil calling for additional help for distressed home owners in view of the thousands of families throughout the country who are having difficulty paying their mortgages. Indeed, today's newspapers report that more than 1,000 families every month are seeking help from the Government. In some months there are 2,000 families seeking help. At...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Nov 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: That is disgraceful.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Nov 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Pat Carey, and thank him for his time. This is an historic debate for the Seanad. Earlier the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, spoke about the need to move on from why this legislation has had to be introduced. It is important, however, that we reflect on the reasons NAMA is needed and learn some of the appallingly hard lessons learned from...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: Three weeks ago when I raised the Multi-Unit Developments Bill and the Property Services (Regulation) Bill, the Leader said they were with the Office of the Attorney General. I thank him for clarifying that at the time but as three weeks have passed, could he make further inquiries about those Bills so they can be brought to the House as soon as possible? Like other Senators, I congratulate...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Nov 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: I agree with other Senators. Yesterday's OECD report on the economy makes for interesting reading. The OECD is an organisation which three years ago stated house prices would level off or decline slightly. Last year it stated Irish banks were well capitalised and profitable. Therefore, we should not accept it as the oracle of all wisdom. Having said that, there are some very interesting...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Nov 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: I will follow up a point raised by Senator McFadden earlier that is causing great concern to the people in the north east, namely, the outbreak of the C. diff bacteria in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda. It has already claimed ten victims. Ireland is one of the first countries in the world to put in a notifiable diseases alert for C. diff and it appears that the staff in the...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Business Plan: Statements (29 Oct 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: I welcome the Minister of State. I thank Senator Bacik for sharing time. I will not repeat the points she or other members of my party in this and the other House have made. I will concentrate on a few figures I would like the Minister of State to clarify. I agree with previous speakers that this is essentially a high level business case. It is extremely optimistic. One could argue that...