Results 4,581-4,600 of 7,604 for speaker:James Bannon

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (26 Jun 2007)

James Bannon: Question 631: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the crime statistics for Ballymahon, County Longford for the years 2002 to 2007 inclusive; his views on providing additional full-time gardaí for Ballymahon Garda station, in view of the rapidly expanding population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16490/07]

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (26 Jun 2007)

James Bannon: Question 784: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to promote the growth of bio-fuels in view of the fact that only 3% of Ireland's primary energy supply comes from renewable sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16998/07]

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (26 Jun 2007)

James Bannon: Question 786: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the full roll-out of broadband will take place in Counties Longford and Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16999/07]

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (3 Apr 2007)

James Bannon: I welcome the Minister of State. There is no question of not supporting the Bill which is 100% necessary. Without it, there can be no general election. Members on this side of the House are very much looking forward to the latter. The Bill is very important to both candidates and the electorate. Fine Gael is very anxious to see it passed. Natural justice and democracy demand this....

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (3 Apr 2007)

James Bannon: I would be obliged if the Minister of State could outline the exact consultation that took place prior to the drawing up of the Electoral Bill and if, for example, his Department was warned that certain provisions in it relating to non-party candidates were likely to prove unconstitutional. If the answer is in the affirmative, I am puzzled as to why the legislation was permitted to proceed...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (3 Apr 2007)

James Bannon: Yes. This Bill is just the latest example of the Government's lamentable record on handling elections and all they entail. It is technical in nature and responds directly to a judgment handed down by the Supreme Court on 13 November 2006 in the cases of King, Cooney and Riordan v. the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the Attorney General and others. King, Cooney and...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (3 Apr 2007)

James Bannon: Why is Fianna Fáil so afraid to hold the general election on a Friday when it is clear it benefits voters and the numbers going to the polls increase?

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (3 Apr 2007)

James Bannon: It is utter rubbish to assert that polling on a Friday does not work when it does not tally with the statistics which show turnout in the European and local elections——

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (3 Apr 2007)

James Bannon: ——increased substantially when voting was switched from Thursday to Friday.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (3 Apr 2007)

James Bannon: In 1999, the European and local elections were held on a Thursday with a turnout of 50.21%.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (3 Apr 2007)

James Bannon: However, when the 2004 European and local elections were held in 2004 and were switched to a Friday, turnout rose dramatically to 58.58%.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (3 Apr 2007)

James Bannon: That is a fact and I do not see why the Taoiseach is running away from failure.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (3 Apr 2007)

James Bannon: Fianna Fáil lost 100 council seats in the last local elections.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (3 Apr 2007)

James Bannon: Fine Gael is now the largest party in the European Parliament representing Ireland.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (3 Apr 2007)

James Bannon: It does. It can disenfranchise young people. Students in the cities who want to vote in rural constituencies may not be allowed to do so.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (3 Apr 2007)

James Bannon: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House and guiding the Bill through. I made a request for the general election to be held on a Friday if at all possible to accommodate students and young people, especially people from rural Ireland.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (3 Apr 2007)

James Bannon: Ireland extends beyond the Pale and it is important that in a democracy, fair play is evident. This has been an issue with many young people, including those I have met last weekend and since the Taoiseach made his statement. Perhaps the Minister of State could use his good offices to impress on the Taoiseach the needs of those people in the electorate.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (3 Apr 2007)

James Bannon: The sooner, the better for the sake of the electorate and citizens of our State.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Apr 2007)

James Bannon: My party argued for many years that a travel pass should be introduced——

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Apr 2007)

James Bannon: ——to allow people to visit all parts of the island of Ireland.