Results 4,661-4,680 of 7,604 for speaker:James Bannon

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Mar 2007)

James Bannon: I second Senator Cox's amendment. The Fianna Fáil Ard-Fheis will take place this weekend——

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Mar 2007)

James Bannon: ——with the theme of leading Ireland to the doldrums. That has occurred over the past ten years. If we face 15 years of Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrats Government, it will worsen. We should look at what is happening in the areas of health, employment and law and order and at the lack of accountability of this Government. I call on the Leader to invite the Minister for Enterprise,...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Mar 2007)

James Bannon: We have lost a large number of jobs to the Far East and eastern Europe, especially in manufacturing. We need a debate as soon as possible to review industrial policy and to try to get our cost base back in order and avoid further job losses. Such a debate is urgent because there is a great deal of public concern about the number of manufacturing jobs which are leaving Ireland for the Far...

Seanad: Building Control Bill 2005: Second Stage (6 Mar 2007)

James Bannon: I welcome the Minister to the House to discuss this important Bill. I have spoken on many occasions in the House and lamented the delay in bringing legislation before it. This Bill is especially long overdue given the statement by the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland, RIAI, that it represents the culmination of a campaign that has lasted 119 years since it first sought in 1886...

Seanad: Building Control Bill 2005: Second Stage (6 Mar 2007)

James Bannon: The Leader is giving us homework.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Mar 2007)

James Bannon: I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on the report by the National Economic and Social Forum on improving the delivery of quality public services, which was published a little over a week ago. We need to raise standards in a significant number of areas, as outlined in that report. A crazy situation exists with regard to the quality of services delivered to the public. Answering machines...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Mar 2007)

James Bannon: This issue must be addressed, as it has been in the NESC report. What came across very clearly is the existence of a huge deficit of courtesy shown to the public. There needs to be a better relationship between the providers and users of public services. The Government has seemingly washed its hands of this issue and nobody seems to take control and deliver a better service to the general...

Seanad: School Staffing. (28 Feb 2007)

James Bannon: I welcome the Minister to the House. This matter concerns the urgent need for the Department of Education and Science to provide an update on the provision of a temporary teacher for St. Mary's national school, Drumlish, County Longford — roll No. 16665S. The position is urgently required to take account of the increased enrolment at this four-teacher school due to the proliferation of new...

Seanad: School Staffing. (28 Feb 2007)

James Bannon: All I am requesting is the appointment of a temporary teacher until September. Children receive only one chance at primary education but parents and staff are concerned that the pupils of the school are not getting a fair chance because the pupil-teacher ratio is too high. The Minister of State might cut through the bureaucracy and red tape to appoint a temporary teacher until September,...

Seanad: National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Second Stage (28 Feb 2007)

James Bannon: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I also welcome the opportunity to speak on this important Bill. Since the Second Stage debate on it in the other House last June, much has changed on the energy, environmental and agricultural fronts in regard to alternative energy. My party has made considerable strides to fill the gap left by Government's inaction on this issue. This Bill...

Seanad: National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Second Stage (28 Feb 2007)

James Bannon: Under this Government, Ireland is already emitting twice its Kyoto obligations and taxpayers will pay for Government inaction. The release by the ESB of two sites for the development of new independent power stations at Lanesboro, County Longford and Shannonbridge, County Offaly, have the potential to provide a much needed injection to the development of the renewable crop sector in Ireland,...

Seanad: National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Second Stage (28 Feb 2007)

James Bannon: It would also provide local farmers with an alternative cash crop that would sustain rural communities. Wood chip provides a more sustainable long-term income to farmers compared with biofuels, which are prone to competition from imports. Therefore, such a policy would also address Ireland's vulnerability to imported oil, gas, coal and biofuels, which in the longer term could have an impact...

Seanad: National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Second Stage (28 Feb 2007)

James Bannon: ——or if it fails to put wood chip on the same footing as peat, commercial decisions will be made by the purchasers of these sites which may not have the same financial impact for farming or the local economy. I am delighted the Minister for Agriculture and Food has responded to pressure and recently announced an energy crop scheme with €8 million in funding. This will provide a boost...

Seanad: National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Second Stage (28 Feb 2007)

James Bannon: However, the plan shows a typical lack of joined-up thinking from the Government, with the shameful exclusion of REPS farmers from the scheme.

Seanad: National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Second Stage (28 Feb 2007)

James Bannon: The Government has been very slow to respond to the increasing energy crisis, but this is a welcome start to the development of a renewable energy sector within the farming industry. Farmers have been deterred from producing energy crops due to start-up costs and a lack of Government incentives, yet once again there is a closed door for some of our farmers.

Seanad: National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Second Stage (28 Feb 2007)

James Bannon: Fine Gael has also addressed some of these problems and will continue to do so.

Seanad: National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Second Stage (28 Feb 2007)

James Bannon: Ireland has an ever-increasing dependency on imported fuels which at 90%, compared to an EU average of 50%, is a huge threat to our economy. The Government needs to wake up to that threat. I would love to have more time, because I was hoping to address a number of issues——

Seanad: National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Second Stage (28 Feb 2007)

James Bannon: Senator Kenneally stated that we should utilise our rail service. We are trying to ensure——

Seanad: National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Second Stage (28 Feb 2007)

James Bannon: There are plans to utilise our rail service, but we have been misled by the Government and by Senators in the House on the opening up of the midland railway line between Mullingar and Athlone.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Feb 2007)

James Bannon: When Pat Cooney was Minister he reappointed——