Results 421-440 of 996 for speaker:John Gerard Hanafin

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (3 Mar 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I share the welcome that has been extended on the research finding for the embryonic versus adult stem cells, and the proof conclusive that adult stem cells are as pluripotent as embryonic stem cells and, therefore, there is no reason whatsoever for research to be undertaken in this country on embryonic cells. As an ordinary backbench Member, I find it is sometimes difficult to make a...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (3 Mar 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: He holds a doctorate in interrupting and I support any efforts the Cathaoirleach makes to correct this.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (3 Mar 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: We must focus on competitiveness. The world market is becoming more difficult and a wide range of areas, including the cost of all inputs, must be debated regularly in this House. I welcome the Government proposals to concentrate on jobs and export-led growth, which offer the only opportunity we have to get through this recession. We should benchmark State expenditure against expenditure...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (3 Mar 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Feb 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I ask the Leader for a debate on competitiveness, which is necessary in terms of the Government's current emphasis on jobs. The reality is that the only safe job is a competitive job. Until we reach the stage where the majority of the jobs in this country are competitive in the international marketplace, we will have uncertainty. That is why I ask the Leader for a debate to encompass all...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Feb 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: It is still nil on the embryonic stem cell side. It is unbelievable that we are even debating this issue. Imagine a situation where a stem cell can be taken from one's own body without——

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Feb 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Feb 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I am getting to the main point and I am looking forward to it.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Feb 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: A stem cell can be taken from the adult body and without fear of rejection, it can be used. Not every one will be successful but they are realistic and truthful. The reality is that there are clinical applications——

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Feb 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: Is it not really distorted that an embryo would be created to destroy it and to use it as a stem cell? That is wrong. I would also like to comment on this morning's opinion poll. We are all well aware that we are not in a Greek city state where everybody can come together for every decision that must be made. We are in a republic and a democracy and we are here to govern. There are times...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Feb 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I do. When will the Committee on Procedure and Privileges meet to stop people interrupting?

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Feb 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: There is a rule on interruptions.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Feb 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I do. Will the Leader have an ongoing debate on what the Government is doing? No matter what the consequences of the polls, if we are doing what is right, it will come right in the polls and for the country.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Second Stage. (26 Feb 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: This Bill does exactly what it says on the tin. It is interesting to hear Opposition Members set out all the actions the Government must take to restore our economy, yet they will not support the effort which is clearly in this Bill to do exactly that. This is despite the inclusion in the Title of the Bill of the words "emergency" and "public interest", which is an accurate reflection of...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Second Stage. (26 Feb 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: Totally accurate.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Second Stage. (26 Feb 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: Social partnership has proved to be hugely beneficial and, if we need to make adjustments, it is incumbent on us to ensure that when this passes over us we remember those who made the cuts, the savings and the sacrifices. Some 120,000 people marched and they genuinely felt that something needed to be done. We must take action, it is very easy to make a decision when one has no choice. This...

Seanad: Banking Sector: Motion (25 Feb 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I wish to move an amendment to allow the two speakers to contribute in light of the fact we had a late start because of the vote in the Dáil. The Senators may speak until 7.20 p.m.

Seanad: Banking Sector: Motion (25 Feb 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Seanad Éireann" and substitute the following: "— notes that the Government has taken determined and decisive action to restore, through the bank guarantee scheme, recapitalisation and otherwise, the health and reputation of the financial system; notes that the Government has engaged with the European Commission and the ECB on the...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Feb 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: In light of what has occurred this morning in respect of Anglo Irish Bank, it is time we asked the Leader for a debate on regulation. In many respects, it might be late to do so now, but the matter must be addressed at national, European and wider international levels. The so-called Big Bang in London in the 1980s was not a question of deregulation, rather it was a question of no regulation....

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Feb 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I ask that the Leader provide time for a debate on social partnership. The reality is that social partnership has served this country well. Reference was made earlier to the difficulties in the past couple of months in the social partnership framework. If we are to move forward in these difficult times we must request the Taoiseach to make a state of the nation address on television, give...