Results 481-500 of 891 for speaker:John Minihan

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Dec 2004)

John Minihan: I call on the Leader to schedule early in the new year the promised debate on the promotion of the Irish language. We can consider this matter and also how we can promote Irish culture in general. On that note, all Members will join with me in wishing my native city, Cork, all the best when it kicks off its European capital of culture term in January.

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Dec 2004)

John Minihan: It is a great honour for the city and the country and I hope we will row in behind that effort in the interests of promoting Ireland.

Seanad: Northern Ireland Peace Process: Motion. (15 Dec 2004)

John Minihan: I am relieved.

Seanad: Northern Ireland Peace Process: Motion. (15 Dec 2004)

John Minihan: I welcome the Taoiseach and congratulate him on the work he has done to date. All Members bring with them life experiences, on which they are expected to draw when they contribute to debate in this House. In keeping with that tradition, I speak in this most important debate as a proud Member of Seanad Éireann upholding those principles. Diversity of views shared in a House of this sort is...

Seanad: Northern Ireland Peace Process: Motion. (15 Dec 2004)

John Minihan: Now, to end that version of democracy, Sinn Féin demands the release of the criminals who killed Detective Garda McCabe. How can Sinn Féin convince me and others like me that in crossing this new line, it is sincere about ending all association with criminality? How can it condition my mind to allow me even to contemplate such a move? How can it tell me that I should once again betray the...

Seanad: Northern Ireland Peace Process: Motion. (15 Dec 2004)

John Minihan: As Archbishop Brady said, we should talk of humility, not humiliation. I fully understand and accept the decision the Taoiseach and the Government have made. I know they have reluctantly accepted the dishonest demands of Sinn Féin in the name of securing peace. I am not here to criticise or condemn. The Taoiseach carries a huge responsibility, as does his Government, on behalf of the Irish...

Seanad: Northern Ireland Peace Process: Motion. (15 Dec 2004)

John Minihan: The ultimate measure of a person is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at the times of challenge and controversy. This is where Mrs. McCabe and her family, the Government and the people of Ireland stand today when faced with the possibility of the release of the killers of Detective Garda McCabe. The only promise I can make to Mrs. McCabe and the...

Seanad: Northern Ireland Peace Process: Motion. (15 Dec 2004)

John Minihan: All I ask of Sinn Féin, on behalf of the vast majority of the Irish people, is to stop brazenly demanding the morally undeliverable and, instead, honestly and forthrightly, work with us towards making a true and lasting peace, embrace democracy and all the responsibilities that go with it in the name of Ireland so we can share our Irishness in a peaceful and democratic society.

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Dec 2004)

John Minihan: I did not dismiss it.

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Dec 2004)

John Minihan: I agree with some of the comments made in respect of the emergency legislation on nursing homes. What happened was wrong but I must inform members of the Opposition that it was equally wrong when they were in Government. At least the current Administration is intent on correcting the position. It is somewhat irresponsible, cheap and low to make a political issue out of this matter.

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Dec 2004)

John Minihan: I look forward to the debate on the legislation on Friday. Comments were made earlier about the Judiciary, etc. In my view the House should debate family law and children's courts, which are part of the changing society in which we live. The comments about the Judiciary to which I refer were dangerous and irresponsible. The Judiciary should not be undermined by Members of the House and...

Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Second Stage. (10 Dec 2004)

John Minihan: The Senator is spinning it.

Seanad: Health Bill 2004: Second Stage. (10 Dec 2004)

John Minihan: That is true.

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Dec 2004)

John Minihan: I join previous speakers in congratulating the Taoiseach, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and their officials who represented the Oireachtas and the Irish people in the recent negotiations. While it is very easy for those of us who are not involved to be critical, the time has come for us to offer them our congratulations on bringing us so far. I join Senator O'Toole in...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Dec 2004)

John Minihan: I join with Senator Brian Hayes and Senator Ryan as regards the sentencing in the Special Criminal Court yesterday. There is a complacency in tolerating the unconstitutional behaviour and activities of certain members of Sinn Féin. It is not acceptable that we should allow double standards. No party has any right to claim to be fully democratic if it engages in such activities. For a party...

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Nov 2004)

John Minihan: That is an outrageous statement to make about a Minister. Senator Ryan should be asked to withdraw the remark.

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Nov 2004)

John Minihan: That is not in the spirit of debate in this House.

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Nov 2004)

John Minihan: That can still change.

Seanad: Book of Estimates 2005: Statements. (24 Nov 2004)

John Minihan: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy de Valera, to the House and thank her for her attendance. We have faced a challenging set of economic circumstances since the 2002 general election. I am delighted that it has been predicted that economic growth will be approximately 5% in 2004. We are experiencing an economic upturn at present, but it would be unwise to think we will return in the...

Seanad: Pension Provisions: Statements (Resumed). (18 Nov 2004)

John Minihan: Next Wednesday, at 10.30 a.m.