Results 441-460 of 891 for speaker:John Minihan

Seanad: Nursing Home Charges: Statements. (23 Feb 2005)

John Minihan: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Power, to the House and thank the Tánaiste for her attendance and contribution to the debate, which I welcome. It is more measured than the mini-debate held last week on the Order of Business, when the missiles coming from the Opposition would have done Baghdad proud.

Seanad: Nursing Home Charges: Statements. (23 Feb 2005)

John Minihan: I am glad that, after a clear period of reflection, Members are more measured in their contributions as this matter unfolds. For the purpose of clarity, I wish to record my congratulations to the Tánaiste on the way she approached her responsibilities as a Minister and member of Cabinet. After a few weeks in office, this situation was brought to her attention by Deputies Perry and Kenny. She...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Feb 2005)

John Minihan: It is proposed that it be situated in County Longford. We want to bring something to that county.

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Feb 2005)

John Minihan: Fine Gael never discusses anything at its parliamentary party meetings, so it must take note of what we are discussing.

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Feb 2005)

John Minihan: I echo the calls by Senator Hayes for a debate on the referendum on the proposed EU constitution. We have learned from past mistakes that we can sometimes be complacent in the lead-up to such referenda. There is an onus on us all to ensure that the message is communicated properly to the Irish people and the House can play a positive role in doing that by facilitating such a debate. I do not...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Feb 2005)

John Minihan: The points have been made and they are valid. There is an onus on us all to reflect on these issues and to ensure that we keep the peace process moving. The kernel of all these recent difficulties is that people are speaking the same language, but have a different meaning as to what is and what is not criminality. This has come very much to the fore. Statements in the other House yesterday...

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Feb 2005)

John Minihan: I join previous speakers in asking the Leader to request the Tánaiste to come to the House to debate the issue that has arisen in recent days. It is necessary and I concur with Senator O'Toole's comments that the problem is spread over 27 years.

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Feb 2005)

John Minihan: This problem is spread over 27 years.

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Feb 2005)

John Minihan: I would welcome proposals from the Opposition on how to deal with this problem and how it will impact on the health service. When the Tánaiste comes to the House, the Opposition will have ample opportunity to put forward its proposals for dealing with this matter.

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Feb 2005)

John Minihan: A problem that existed for 27 years——

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Feb 2005)

John Minihan: ——was dealt with in a clear manner.

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Feb 2005)

John Minihan: This side of the House does not have to listen to lectures from the Opposition about muddying the waters.

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Feb 2005)

John Minihan: There is now clarity on an issue that was unclear for 27 years. I compliment the Tánaiste on the decisiveness she showed.

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Feb 2005)

John Minihan: It was necessary to bring forward legislation not only to deal with the current situation, but to address what happened in the past.

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Feb 2005)

John Minihan: The Supreme Court upheld the current legislation and ruled against the retrospective element. When we deal with the retrospective issue, we should await the outcome of the investigation announced by the Tánaiste before Christmas which is due to report at the end of this month or early next month. I welcome this debate and I hope that for once the Opposition will have something constructive...

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Feb 2005)

John Minihan: I also take this opportunity to compliment the McCartney sisters who have acted so honourably and bravely in recent weeks. We are quick in this House to shout about issues in Northern Ireland in a critical manner. We should also acknowledge the bravery and integrity of this family and the public support they are now getting. They have forced certain elements in society to face up to their...

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Feb 2005)

John Minihan: That is an outrageous statement. The Senator is casting aspersions on the Tánaiste. Her statement is outrageous and I ask her to withdraw it.

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Feb 2005)

John Minihan: Senator Tuffy is stating that the Tánaiste has two set of rules for dealing with the public. That is outrageous and she should withdraw that statement.

Seanad: Overseas Development Aid: Motion. (9 Feb 2005)

John Minihan: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. It has been 14 months since I last had an opportunity to speak on this important subject so I welcome the Labour Party decision to table this motion before us as well as the Government amendment. When speaking on overseas aid it is easy to use emotive language because it is an emotive subject. We live in a global village with 24-hour media...

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Feb 2005)

John Minihan: I join with other speakers in requests for a debate on waste management. My native city is not a tip and I do not support that contention. The vast majority of people in Cork support and comply with the waste management strategy and are law abiding. There are a few dissenters but the onus on us is to support the democratically-elected councils and managers. To suggest that we have dictatorial...