Results 3,401-3,420 of 3,550 for speaker:Dominic Hannigan

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: There is a great opportunity for our incoming Taoiseach. I ask him to consider seriously taking a leaf from the book of the Spanish Prime Minister, Mr. Zapatero, and increasing the number of women in his Cabinet. The Green Paper on local government reform was published yesterday. There are many good things in it. Certainly the news that towns such as Ashbourne and Maynooth may soon get...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Apr 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: I wish to address the comments made at the end of last week by the Leader of the House where he implied that some of us were not doing our bit for the Lisbon treaty. He must have been asleep last week. One of our MEP's was assaulted for trying to explain the treaty to people. I have attended three meetings on the Lisbon treaty in the last week, most recently this morning sharing a platform...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Apr 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: They were more civil than the crowd last week and I got out alive. I agree it is vital that we do our part and I can assure the Leader that he will not find us wanting on this side of the House. I wish to raise the issue of broadband. I read a report some days ago stating that Eircom has offered to upgrade the speeds of broadband in such gateway towns as Dundalk and Letterkenny. There is...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Mutual Assistance) Bill 2005 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (17 Apr 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: I welcome the passage of the Bill. On a daily basis we become aware of criminal issues that transcend national borders. As a result, anything that can help to bring about improvements in the position is welcome. I congratulate the Minister and his staff on the work they have done to ensure the Bill would be passed.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Mutual Assistance) Bill 2005 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (17 Apr 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: I welcome the return of this Bill from the Lower House. Given the way our Constitution works, when we sign up to international treaties and conventions it is necessary either to introduce new legislation or amend existing laws. That is the reason we are doing this. It is a classic example and will help us ratify some international conventions we need to implement. My party welcomes the...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Apr 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: I echo the sentiments of previous speakers on yesterday's funeral of former President, Dr. Patrick Hillery. I was privileged to attend it. From the day's events and as seen throughout the country, it was clear Dr. Hillery was held in great affection by us all. It is always a sad day for Ireland when we must bury one of our great Irish men. Like previous speakers, I congratulate Senator...

Seanad: Kidnapping and Detention of Ms Ingrid Betancourt: Motion (10 Apr 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: I also welcome the Minister of State to the House and thank Senator Fitzgerald for sharing her time so that I can speak. My party and I will support this motion. Ingrid Betancourt is an inspirational person for many people across the world, myself included. I have seen a documentary and read much about her. She is truly one of those people who is involved in politics for all the right...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Apr 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: I attended the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs yesterday at which I co-sponsored with Senator Norris a motion on Tibet calling for dialogue and on which there was unanimous agreement. However, when it came to the issue of a boycott of the Olympic opening ceremony, there was no firm agreement. Some members felt politicians should boycott the ceremony while others called for...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Apr 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: I can arrange for our policies to be sent to the Senator.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Apr 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: Like Senator Alex White, I am concerned about recent developments in the Irish economy. FÁS has indicated it expects unemployment to rise to 5.5% this year and 6.6% next year largely as a result of the slowdown in the construction industry. Business failures are up 60% since this time last year. The value of the pound sterling against the euro is at its lowest level ever. Coupled with...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Apr 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: I echo the calls for a debate on crime, which should be extended to also deal with anti-social behaviour and alcohol-related crime. I say this at a time when access to alcohol has never been easier. Over the weekend we saw reports that an additional few hundred off-licences have been approved in the past year. I say that knowing the impact anti-social behaviour and alcohol-related crime...

Seanad: Sustainable Residential Development: Motion (19 Mar 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: I congratulate the Minister on his staying power. I compliment him on introducing these guidelines and thank Fianna Fáil Ministers for giving the House this opportunity to debate them. I spent a number of years as a councillor in Meath County Council and as an employee of the planning section of the London borough of Camden and I see much in this document that is welcome. The guidelines...

Seanad: Sustainable Residential Development: Motion (19 Mar 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: Perhaps that is something the Minister could consider.

Seanad: Sustainable Residential Development: Motion (19 Mar 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: That intervention was made on the Minister's time, not mine. The guidelines also call for inclusivity of design so that we do not have community facilities just for teenagers but also for active retirement groups. We are all aware of how difficult it is for community groups to gain access to facilities. Last Friday, I met a youth officer in Bettystown, which has new premises for a...

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2008: Second Stage (19 Mar 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: They are dangerous. Ask Ozzie Osbourne.

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2008: Second Stage (19 Mar 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: I welcome the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to the House. This Bill has been on quite a journey since it first saw the light of day several months ago. The core issue is that vehicles should be taxed based on their emissions, a measure we all welcome. All sides of the House would agree that tackling emissions is vital if we are interested in tackling climate...

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2008: Second Stage (19 Mar 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: Some points raised by my colleagues in the Lower House during its discussion of the Bill must be addressed. For example and as mentioned by Senators Coffey and Brady, why will energy efficient cars bought one year or two years ago not be included in the legislation? We could address this matter. Why will gas guzzling vehicles bought prior to the change not be subject to increases in tax?...

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2008: Second Stage (19 Mar 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: This is a serious issue.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Mar 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: I share Senator Alex White's concerns about the economy. It is vital that with the current global climate that we keep our competitiveness up and our costs down. I was very concerned to see Viviane Reding, the European Commissioner for telecoms indicate today that the cost of broadband in Ireland is too high. Her commission's annual report shows that the penetration levels of broadband in...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Mar 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: In the coming St. Patrick's Day and Easter period, Dublin Airport can expect its highest level of traffic so far this year. More than 300,000 passengers are expected to pass through the airport in this period. This is good news for the airport and a welcome boost to its profits. However, I was concerned to learn earlier this week that the Commission for Aviation Regulation has sanctioned a...