Results 3,501-3,520 of 3,550 for speaker:Dominic Hannigan

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Nov 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: Last week I welcomed the opening by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Brian Lenihan of the new National Property Services Regulatory Authority's offices in Navan. I was glad to see that the Minister recognised that some consumers recently have had negative experiences. I am concerned about people throughout Ireland, in Louth and Meath especially, who live on estates...

Seanad: Local Government (Roads Functions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (15 Nov 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: Concern was voiced about the legislation in the Lower House yesterday by my party colleagues. Given the two options about who should manage these functions, I would prefer if the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government would do so. He has shown in his short time in Government that he is quite adept at managing issues, for instance, moving the proposed incinerator from...

Seanad: Local Government (Roads Functions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (15 Nov 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: I cannot say the same about the Minister, Deputy Dempsey. During his tenure as Minister we have seen too many problems. As referred to earlier, we have seen the disaster of the privatisation of Aer Lingus and the impact that has had on the Shannon region. There was the debacle a few weeks ago of the change in licensing regulations affecting those on provisional licences. Now we hear there...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: I welcome the launch today of the website for the regulatory authority for auctioneers and estate agents and the opening of its Navan offices. The authority has been established to provide improved protection for those who buy or sell property. Bearing in mind the recent revelations regarding conveyancing solicitors, it is good that the property sector is working to improve its reputation...

Seanad: Road Safety: Statements (Resumed) (14 Nov 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: I thank Senator Ryan for sharing his time with me. I want to focus my contribution on the issue of safety outside schools and, in particular, parking provisions, quarrying and construction traffic, driving standards, inadequate signage, road conditions and walking buses. I assure Senator de Búrca that the latter is not only of interest to the Green Party; it is also high on my party's...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Nov 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: I join with other Senators in expressing concern about the fact the number of leaving certificate completions has not significantly changed in the past couple of years. However, the same report points out that a greater number of students are availing of other courses such as FETAC and post leaving certificate courses. The Minister of State, Deputy Haughey, was in the House a few weeks ago...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Nov 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: That is not a subject for flippancy.

Seanad: Government's Irish Aid Strategy: Statements (13 Nov 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: I wish to speak on the proposed development co-operation Bill and the economic partnership agreements which were raised earlier. In 2005, my party proposed the development co-operation Bill to enable the annual commitment of 0.7% of gross domestic product to development aid. The UN millennium development goals which rely on development aid would have seen action in areas such as the...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Nov 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: I second Senator Walsh's call. We have a similar situation on the Ashbourne bypass in County Meath which could easily cater for 120 km/h but is limited to 100 km/h. I would like the Minister to come and tell Members if he would consider reviewing speed limits.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Nov 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: The county councils deal with local and secondary roads. The National Roads Authority deals with bypasses. I apologise to the Cathaoirleach. The county councils have no responsibility for our national roads.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Nov 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: Somebody is wrong.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Nov 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: I also want to raise the proposed development outside Balbriggan and Gormanstown of the Bremore Port. This morning Drogheda Port Company announced it had entered an agreement to build a €300 million development on the Meath-Fingal border. The proposed port is four kilometres from the M1 motorway, which is the responsibility of the NRA, and close to the Dublin-Dundalk rail line. It is...

Seanad: Energy Security and Climate Change: Motion (7 Nov 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: Often, Government motions are amusing and this motion is no exception. Senator Boyle believes it might be pompous to raise this subject, but asking us to support and commend the Government on its commitment to develop a policy is amusing. A Government must be real. Rather than promising to do something in future, it must do something now. Ireland produces too many greenhouse gases....

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Nov 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: I note reports that the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Deputy Cowen, is already considering the deferral of those income tax cuts he promised six months ago, despite asking people at the time to trust him in this regard. I hope this change in economic scenery will not result in his slashing of budgets in sectors such as the arts. Yesterday I learned the Arts Council seeks funding of...

Seanad: Witness Protection Programme Bill 2007: Order for Second Stage (31 Oct 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Seanad: Witness Protection Programme Bill 2007: Second Stage (31 Oct 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I welcome the Minister of State to the House. It is a great pleasure to introduce this Bill. It is vital for tackling the growing problem of gangland crimes and serious crimes here. Although we have heard time and again about how serious crime is being tackled, the reality is that the problem appears to be getting worse. This Bill is...

Seanad: Housing Market: Statements (31 Oct 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: I welcome back to the Chamber the Minister of State. I appreciate the time given to a discussion of the housing market because the country is experiencing a housing crisis. An entire generation of people in their 20s and 30s is finding it increasingly difficult to enter the housing market. Some Senators have spoken about the effect of interest rates on the ability of people to repay their...

Seanad: Housing Market: Statements (31 Oct 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: It is a question of the availability of housing, not just prices.

Seanad: Housing Market: Statements (31 Oct 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: What does that mean? Tell that to the 2,000 people who are waiting for houses in Meath.

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Oct 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: I second Senator Norris's amendment to the Order of Business. I am concerned to hear reports that nine out of ten of the nation's crèches fail to comply with the standards set out by the Health Service Executive. Reports suggest that some children are subject to being locked up while others are subject to bullying and these reports are a cause for concern among parents. It is important to...