Results 5,421-5,440 of 7,604 for speaker:James Bannon

Seanad: Budget Statement 2005: Motion. (7 Dec 2005)

James Bannon: What has this budget done to end the 11 years of waiting for the completion of phase 2B of Mullingar hospital? Eleven years of budget after budget and the same old song, but nothing copperfastened and nothing was done in today's budget. As the people in the Longford-Westmeath are only too aware, rumour has it that the Government plans to string us along until after the general election and...

Seanad: Budget Statement 2005: Motion. (7 Dec 2005)

James Bannon: We have taken to the streets in protest during the summer and will do so again because they have neglected the midlands, and particularly the north midlands. The Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, will get his answer when the general election comes around.

Seanad: Budget Statement 2005: Motion. (7 Dec 2005)

James Bannon: He, like many others, will be booted out by the electorate of the midlands.

Seanad: Budget Statement 2005: Motion. (7 Dec 2005)

James Bannon: Senator Bannon has not delivered.

Seanad: WTO Negotiations: Statements. (7 Dec 2005)

James Bannon: I welcome the Minister to the debate on the forthcoming WTO negotiations concerning agriculture. The buck stops here and the future of Irish farming rests with the Minister and the Taoiseach. They must make the Government's position on the WTO talks clear and must prevent the selling out of our farmers, who are being driven off the land by one directive after another. This has become evident...

Seanad: WTO Negotiations: Statements. (7 Dec 2005)

James Bannon: The Government appears intent on driving such farmers from the land and out of business. A total of 141,000 people, or 12% of the workforce, were employed in Irish farming in 1994. By 2004, this figure had been halved to 113,000 people, or 6% of the total workforce, which constitutes an indictment of the Government. I wish to bring the Minister back to the programme for Government of 2002...

Seanad: WTO Negotiations: Statements. (7 Dec 2005)

James Bannon: The Minister should bring Senator Callanan with her to Hong Kong.

Seanad: WTO Negotiations: Statements. (7 Dec 2005)

James Bannon: Do not forget the green box.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Dec 2005)

James Bannon: On a point of order, is that at State expense?

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Dec 2005)

James Bannon: I am glad to see that both——

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Dec 2005)

James Bannon: I am glad to see that both Fianna Fáil and the PDs have awoken at last. A pre-budget announcement has been made in this House this morning——

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Dec 2005)

James Bannon: ——in respect of child care, which Fine Gael has highlighted over the past number of years.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Dec 2005)

James Bannon: I am referring to the Government's negligence of people who avail of this facility over the years. Now, it is beginning to come around to adopt some of our policies in this regard.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Dec 2005)

James Bannon: On another issue, the programme for Government includes, among many other promises, an undertaking that there would be a nationwide audit of sporting and recreational facilities. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism to the House to give Members an update on the audit. Several organisations and school boards of management have contacted Members in respect of the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Dec 2005)

James Bannon: The Taoiseach must provide clarification on this matter.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Dec 2005)

James Bannon: He should also explain the activities of the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Parlon, in respect of phone-in polls.

Seanad: Social Welfare Benefits. (6 Dec 2005)

James Bannon: I thank the Minister of State for attending the House to take this important and, indeed, sad motion on the Adjournment. I am bringing this matter before the House to highlight the need for the Minister for Social and Family Affairs to clarify the position concerning his Department's refusal to grant an orphan's contributory allowance or supplementary welfare allowance to the grandparents —...

Seanad: Social Welfare Benefits. (6 Dec 2005)

James Bannon: This is a special situation. Their father lives in the UK, and it is important that children of eight and 13 keep in contact with him. Whatever he pays goes towards air fares for them to travel to and from the UK during every school break and the costs of staying there. They must pay to stay in a small hotel, since he is in a new relationship and has a very small apartment in London that...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Dec 2005)

James Bannon: I support the Leader and other Members who requested immediate action by the Government on price fixing in the car industry. Some dealers lie to and cheat their customers. There is also a health and safety issue. If mileage clocks are being interfered with to the extent that last night's programme claimed, other parts of the engines are being interfered with and some of those cars may become...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Dec 2005)

James Bannon: I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Brennan, to this House to debate the pension crisis. We were told recently that 69% of the population does not have a pension plan and that figure rises to 76% in the private sector. There is an onus on the Government to ensure that people are looked after in their old age and additional tax incentives and relief to...