Results 3,341-3,360 of 3,550 for speaker:Dominic Hannigan

Seanad: Economic Partnership Agreements (19 Jun 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: I, too, welcome the Minister of State to the House and thank him for giving his time to discuss this issue. Economic partnership agreements are the trade agreements put in place between the European Union and the 76 developing countries in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific which are jointly known as the ACP countries. One in eight of the world's population lives in these countries, yet...

Seanad: Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion (19 Jun 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: I thank Senator Bacik for sharing her time with me. I also welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Conor Lenihan. It is ten years since the legislation was first enacted. We can all remember where we were when the horrors of that day in Omagh unfolded. It was particularly horrible because at that time we were very hopeful that the situation in the North could be resolved. People were...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jun 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: With the ongoing fallout from last week's vote, it is clear there is a crisis in the country. We all wish the Taoiseach well in his deliberations abroad in the next few days. Such deliberations are taking place at a time when we need them most because people are very concerned about consumer confidence and about the way the economy is going. This is not only due to potential job losses and...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: What are the Leader's intentions on the Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (EirGrid) Bill scheduled for tomorrow? Does he intend to proceed with that in the morning bearing in mind that he has moved the Broadcasting Bill to tomorrow? I agree with Senator de Búrca regarding the publication of the local election boundary provisions. I, too, believe three-seat constituencies are not the way...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: I can tell him now it was a "No". In my part of the country, Meath East, we had a "Yes" vote.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: Who did nothing.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: They could not get it right.

Seanad: National Drugs Strategy: Motion (18 Jun 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: I congratulate the Minister of State on his new appointment. I thank the Progressive Democrats for tabling this motion. It is good to have a debate on the new national drugs strategy and I am pleased to have this opportunity to contribute to it. Many people were disappointed with the previous strategy. There has been a failure to implement many of its recommendations. It is for that...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jun 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: I join Senator de Búrca in welcoming the report Dóchas published earlier. The organisation appeared before the Sub-Committee on Overseas Development last week. Its work is excellent and it is another sign that if we contribute more to overseas development, we will achieve results and we will help to ensure aid reaches the right places. I agree with Senator Mary White's comments on the...

Seanad: Charter of Fundamental Rights: Statements (4 Jun 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Roche, to the House. The Labour Party is grateful to the Leader of the House for allowing a debate on the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, which is a key aspect of the reform treaty. It is a simple and eloquent document containing just seven titles and 54 articles. These detail an inventory of fundamental rights granted to every citizen of the...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (4 Jun 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: Having heard the Minister refer to high level objectives, I suspect I know what will be his response to amendment No. 15. Nevertheless, it would be wise and opportune to include a specific objective regarding children. For this reason, the amendment proposes to protect children from commercialisation in order that they are not otherwise exposed to broadcasting that could undermine their...

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (4 Jun 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: I ask that the Acting Chairman have patience with me as he commenced the debate before I was ready. My first amendment relates to page 14, line 46. Is that correct?

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (4 Jun 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: I move amendment No. 2: In page 14, line 46, to delete "Oireachtas has" and substitute "Houses of the Oireachtas have".

Seanad: Broadcasting Bill 2008: Committee Stage (4 Jun 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: Amendment No. 6 refers to the limit of two consecutive terms for authority members. This is a blunt instrument in that it affects good members as well as poor members. If the Minister wishes to replace somebody, he or she can choose not to appoint him or her. I ask him to reconsider this provision. If terms limits apply, it is possible a large number of people could leave the board at the...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Jun 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: I am glad the Irish Farmers' Association has come round to supporting the Lisbon treaty. I am aware, having spoken to many farmers in my area, of the concerns in regard to the impact of the WTO talks. I am hopeful the IFA recommendation will allow its members to support the treaty. A level of disquiet exists in regard to the treaty. Many people intend to vote "No" just to give the...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Jun 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: Export orders are down for the third consecutive month. One can detect these concerns on the street. I have spoken to many builders in the past few weeks who are concerned about what is happening. FÁS predicts a downturn of approximately 55,000 jobs in the construction sector. This will hurt people and families. It will also hurt those currently sitting the leaving certificate...

Seanad: Prison Building Programme: Motion. (29 May 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: Can the Leas-Chathaoirleach confirm I have ten minutes?

Seanad: Prison Building Programme: Motion. (29 May 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: I welcome the Minister of State to the House.I am pleased to speak on this motion, because the prison is just outside Ashbourne, County Meath, and I have been aware of the problems and complexities of this issue for some time. Three years ago I was attending meetings of 400 and 500 people voicing their concerns. Many questions still need to be answered and it is to be hoped that having the...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 May 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: All Members were pleased to hear the wonderful news emanating from Croke Park that we appear to be in sight of introducing an international ban on cluster munitions, an issue that was debated in this House only last month. Praise must be given to the Government for hosting this conference. It was good to hear the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Mr. Gordon Brown, confirm on the radio...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 May 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: I join other Senators in asking for legislation to be introduced on civil marriages. We were promised the heads of a Bill on this issue some months ago but we have still not seen them. I look to the Green Party members in particular as it is up to them to deliver on this one. They made a commitment and we will make sure they honour it. We seek the introduction of such a Bill as soon as...