Results 441-460 of 996 for speaker:John Gerard Hanafin

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Feb 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: This is dreadful.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Feb 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I ask the Leader to arrange for a debate on energy. The previous two speakers referred to the cost of energy. That cost is costing us jobs. With oil at $37 a barrel and ancillary products such as gas similarly lower in price, there should be a significant reduction in the price of energy. This must happen as quickly as possible because jobs are being lost daily. There must also be a...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Feb 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: ——Fine Gael horse racing people. Now there is a new group, Fianna Fáil bankers. It is ludicrous and ridiculous.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Feb 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: The Government is doing what is necessary and correct. The Taoiseach is restricted in what he can say and do——

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Feb 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: ——because the Director of Corporate Enforcement is dealing with the issue and he must abide by the law.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Feb 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I support the Senators who spoke in connection with regulation and legislation concerning the banking situation. I agree with Senator Callely when he said there are many thousands in the banking sector who have done nothing wrong. However, it is a question of dealing with white collar crime, which is not victimless and can affect families, people and nations very seriously. When a person's...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Feb 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I will explain.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Feb 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: Sometimes the interruptions are incredible. They are so naive and partisan that they really are not worthy of this Chamber.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Feb 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: They really are not worthy of this Chamber.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Feb 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: To finish the point, were deterrents in place, it might prevent people from ever taking a particular action. I take no pleasure in seeing people in handcuffs at any time. That said, we must do what is correct. We must find out exactly what happened to the money that was given to purchase shares in the bank as a non-recourse loan. We must establish whether it was a non-recourse loan after...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Feb 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: However, we had better face the reality that there is a difficulty in compelling witnesses. There is a classic case, namely, in re Haughey, in which the courts ruled that Mr. Jock Haughey could not be compelled. We must investigate and debate the matter further.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Feb 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I seek a debate on the credit institutions and their lending practices. I am particularly aware of a practice prevailing in First Active and Ulster Bank, both of which are owned by Royal Bank of Scotland. As we know Royal Bank of Scotland purchased a company in Europe called ABN-AMRO, which had €20 billion of toxic debt. As a result of this acquisition, Royal Bank of Scotland has almost...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I support Senator Boyle in his calls and in welcoming tomorrow's debate. I am very conscious of the fact that the Government took the correct decision yesterday. I am also conscious of very recent history when, while claiming to be responsible in opposition, the Opposition has voted against vital measures including the bank and credit institution guarantee scheme and the nationalisation of...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: Had there been a different result at the last general election, those who voted against these measures in opposition would not have accepted them in government. I must take this on good faith, otherwise it would be a very cynical exercise. That would have undoubtedly resulted in a collapse in one of our banks and we would be in the same situation as Iceland. Instead of dealing with our...

Seanad: Human Rights Issues: Motion (4 Feb 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I wish to share my time with Senator Callely.

Seanad: Human Rights Issues: Motion (4 Feb 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: Yes. I welcome the Minister of State to the House and agree with what he said. The role that the Combat Poverty Agency is to play now will be central in co-ordinating the ongoing development and implementation of the national action plan for social inclusion. Funding has ceased for the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism, NCCRI, and its function will be...

Seanad: Human Rights Issues: Motion (4 Feb 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I thank Senator Norris. I also propose looking at the situation with China. China is viewed by many countries as a country to which to turn as a last resort. The Sudans, Zimbabwes and Burmas of this world look to China now and I suggest that may be another area to examine within the Department of Foreign Affairs. China should be discouraged from taking on board these countries and...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Feb 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: I join the calls for statements on what the Taoiseach is going to announce, but at an appropriate time. There is ample opportunity for all of us to hear it at first hand in the Dáil, where matters like this should be first announced. I also share the views of those who would like to see tolerance. Having fought in a number of constitutional campaigns, I am quite mindful that there are few...

Seanad: Economic Issues: Motion (28 Jan 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: We get the world as it is rather than as we would like it to be. Conditions in the economy have deteriorated. Gross national product declined by 2.5% last year and will fall by 4.5% and 1% this year and next year, respectively. Notwithstanding these figures, the Government is taking the correct course of action to ensure the economy remains on a sound fiscal footing. The Taoiseach is...

Seanad: Economic Issues: Motion (28 Jan 2009)

John Gerard Hanafin: The Government is taking the appropriate action, including on the banking crisis. The Opposition has recommended the Government take courses of action on which it has already embarked. The Taoiseach and Government are taking the correct approach by ensuring everyone is involved through social partnership.