Results 3,081-3,100 of 3,550 for speaker:Dominic Hannigan

Seanad: Middle East: Statements (18 Feb 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: Let us debate the roof cladding issue now, because that is vital.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (18 Feb 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: One does not.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (18 Feb 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: We did not have an opportunity to debate certain sections of the Bill. We should have returned to it.

Seanad: Middle East: Statements (18 Feb 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: On a point of order, I object strongly. We did not finish the last debate until after 4 p.m. I know the Minister of State was here on time and was delayed in starting to speak. I watched the debate from my office and noted that he could not finish his contribution until 4.30 p.m. This makes a mockery——

Seanad: Middle East: Statements (18 Feb 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: It makes a mockery——

Seanad: Middle East: Statements (18 Feb 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: If we are to go away to prepare our contributions and come along to find out that we have half an hour of debate——

Seanad: Middle East: Statements (18 Feb 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: We have had half an hour of debate. I object in the strongest terms. I am very disappointed.

Seanad: Middle East: Statements (18 Feb 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: This shows no respect to people in this House who work to prepare their contributions.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (18 Feb 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: I move amendment No. 1: In page 6, line 23, after "members" to insert the following: "and 3 member constituencies shall only be recommended where there are exceptional circumstances requiring 3 members". This amendment proposes that three-member constituencies be allowed in exceptional circumstances only. I am not sure that the current constituency commission has been forced by exceptional...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (18 Feb 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: I place no credence in opinion polls.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (18 Feb 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: As someone who studied statistics in college, I would prefer to take the recent poll, roll it up into a ball and throw it into the nearest bin. As we all know, only one poll matters. One will not get any votes if one does not work hard, get out there and do one's job. While I appreciate Senator Coffey's good wishes, I assure him opinion polls do not excite me for one minute. I would like...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (18 Feb 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: It is being pressed.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (18 Feb 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: Some points were raised regarding the assentors for non-party candidates. I understand that currently, the number of assentors required for a county council election is 15 but that it is higher, possibly 40 or 50, for a Dáil election. That is when one sees busloads of people being brought through the county to county hall. I have a question about the assentors. My understanding from the...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (18 Feb 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: I want to be clear that I understand this. It is important how we distribute the surpluses when it comes to the election. Section 16 states: The Local Elections Regulations are amended by substituting the following sub-article for sub-article (8) of article 83: "(8) The returning officer shall not transfer the surplus of a candidate deemed to be elected whenever that surplus, together with...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (18 Feb 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: I am sure he knows exactly to what I am refer. I would be concerned that this is not clear. We have some very bright returning officers and no doubt they will make it their job to understand this, but I am concerned more about how the councillor who feels very much under pressure at the eighth or ninth count of the day or the candidate who thinks he or she is about to get elected will react...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (18 Feb 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: I thank Senator Ellis for his contribution. He has done the Oireachtas a great service in the amount of work he obviously has put into this debate. I agree with many of the points he raised. I am especially concerned with some issues, not just areas such as Limerick, Leitrim and elsewhere but also the north east, specifically the constituencies of Louth, Meath East and Meath West. The last...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (18 Feb 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: I appreciate that and thank the Minister of State for the help. Rather than criticise Louth, I merely want to identify the proper approach to take. More respect should have been paid to county boundaries. I have been told by people in Bettystown and Laytown they no longer intend to vote because they feel little allegiance to County Louth. Members of the Minister of State's party,...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (18 Feb 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: Senator Ellis has made a very good point. The north east of the country has seen significant changes since the publication of the report. Much of the population increase was as a result of new arrivals to the country coming to benefit from and add greatly to the economy, which has now taken a turn for the worse. One consequence of the downturn has been the decision of many people to seek...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (18 Feb 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: I may have missed it.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (18 Feb 2009)

Dominic Hannigan: We all respect the work of the commission. However, we wish to know more about the rationale involved. There should be more transparency, which is the topic of the month in the Houses at present. The publication of the rationale would help and go some way in this regard. I welcome the fact there will be a review of the management of the electoral register and I welcome also the potential...