Results 3,181-3,200 of 3,550 for speaker:Dominic Hannigan

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (10 Dec 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: I welcome all contributions to this Bill, including that of Senator Callely. I look forward to hearing more from him throughout the day because we shall be here all day on this Bill.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (10 Dec 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: I am. I am here to discuss amendments Nos. 9 to 11, inclusive, which are being grouped together.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (10 Dec 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: I move amendment No. 10: In page 14, line 18, after "shelter" to insert "or the provision of housing or homeless services". I was hoping to speak on the issue, and I shall be brief because we covered this in some detail last week on Committee Stage. These amendments seek to improve the consultation aspect of the Bill, especially in relation to local organisations, whether they are community...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (10 Dec 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: Specifically in relation to community groups and residents' associations, many of us will have dealings with the latter on a daily basis and know that when matters such as housing plans arise, they often have very good reasons for contributing to the proposals. I believe this will enhance the role they play already and put it on a statutory footing. I ask the Minister of State to consider...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (10 Dec 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: I am disappointed with the Minister's response. At a time when we are trying to encourage involvement in local communities, including groups like residents' associations, it would not have taken much effort nor would it have done any harm to include them specifically. However, I will not push the issue.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (10 Dec 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: I welcome the Minister of State's comments with regard to both amendments. These changes will strengthen the Bill and make the process easier. We are pleased the Minister has taken our amendment on board.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (10 Dec 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: I move amendment No. 17: In page 16, line 44, after "social" to insert "(including economic, cultural, ethnic or other)".

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (10 Dec 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: This amendment arises from the debate on Committee Stage when the Labour Party sought to include the words, "economic, cultural, ethnic or other". At the time, the Minister of State stated that in his view, the word "social" includes "economic". While I do not dispute this, I merely seek to set down in writing that the word "social" includes "economic, cultural, ethnic or other". It is...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (10 Dec 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: In that case, one should tell the publishers of Webster's and the other dictionaries to remove the term, "socio-economic", because it is covered by the word "social". I do not accept this for a moment.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (10 Dec 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: I fail to see how our suggested explanation could not be included. I am a little disappointed that the Minister of State has not seen fit to include it but I will not press it.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (10 Dec 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: I move amendment No. 20: In page 18, line 8, to delete "A" and substitute the following: "Save in exceptional circumstances relating to inability to pay rent a". This amendment, which we also tabled at Committee Stage, seeks to allow those who have been in arrears with their rent to be reconsidered for housing in exceptional circumstances.

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (10 Dec 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: It means it has been accepted.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Dec 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to contribute. On Senator Ó Murchú's comments on Friday sittings, it must be noted that we are living in exceptional times and that the Seanad will have met on four occasions on Fridays by the time this session ends. Friday sittings are no longer exceptional. As a result, some form of Order of Business should be held. I suggest a compromise. I...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (10 Dec 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: I move amendment No. 1: In page 5, line 7, after "PLANS" to insert "AND HOMELESS ACTION PLANS". I will speak generally on all five amendments because we have discussed them in some depth on Committee Stage. The amendments seek to draw on the language contained in the Government's homeless strategy. It seeks to put homeless action plans and homelessness at the centre of the Bill. I do not...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (10 Dec 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: I thank the Minister of State for his response. While I am disappointed with it, I look forward to debating the implementation of his homelessness strategy, The Way Home, in the House over the coming months. I will not be pushing my amendments in this grouping.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Dec 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: The Charities Bill will be before the House tomorrow. Will the Senator be here then?

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Dec 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: Report Stage is tomorrow.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: I move amendment No. 8: In page 10, after line 40, to insert the following subsection: "(2) This Act applies to humanism or any other philosophical life-stance as it applies to religion.". This amendment seeks to include within the Bill humanism and any other philosophical life stance as it applies to religion. The US Supreme Court has recognised that humanism is a religion for the purposes...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: What about the Falun Gong?

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: In light of the comments made by Senators Norris and Bacik, I am happy to withdraw the amendment at this stage and will revisit it on Report Stage.