Results 541-560 of 996 for speaker:John Gerard Hanafin

Seanad: Lisbon Reform Treaty Report: Statements (5 Jun 2008)

John Gerard Hanafin: I am pleased to welcome the special report on the enhanced role for national parliaments in the Lisbon reform treaty. The reality is that despite claims that this will give less democracy within Europe, the Lisbon treaty will deliver more. While I do not like any sword of Damocles hanging over decisions, it is important to appreciate the ramifications of a "No" vote. Economically, Ireland...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jun 2008)

John Gerard Hanafin: I would welcome a debate on the economy, although not necessarily today. I am conscious of how citizens view a Government in given circumstances. The markets collapsed in America in 1929 but it was not until 1930 that the economy went into severe decline and it was 1932 before this affected Europe. That was a different time and place. A Fianna Fáil Government was elected in 1932 and it...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Jun 2008)

John Gerard Hanafin: Will the Leader ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to again come to the House? In particular, I am thinking in terms of the superlevies. We are reviewing these at a time when there is a food shortage and when Europe has never filled its quota for milk. If ever there was proof positive that Europe recognises the nation state, it is this case because it certainly recognises...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 May 2008)

John Gerard Hanafin: I support the calls for a debate on the economy, but I would like it to have a particular focus. The advent of the Lisbon treaty indicates Europe will rightly take a leading role in energy matters. The EU already takes this role in such sectors as agriculture. I have mentioned previously, but it is worth repeating, that for the provision of clean, green energy there is no country in Europe...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 May 2008)

John Gerard Hanafin: I ask the Leader to agree to a debate on commodity prices which continue to rise significantly. Many commodities are bought and sold in much the same way as stocks. The person who buys futures in wheat or corn never sees the commodity and would not know what to do with it if they got it. If we had been forewarned about sub-prime lending, we could have done something about it. However, we...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 May 2008)

John Gerard Hanafin: I join the call for a debate on stem cell research. The debate has been muddied to some extent, especially with the links made in the national media between in vitro fertilisation and stem cells. There is no objection in pro-life circles to IVF, despite the impression that is out there. However, there is a request for respect for the embryo. It amazes me that after ten years and billions...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 May 2008)

John Gerard Hanafin: I ask the Leader to inquire from the relevant Department concerning the financial regulation of transactions taking place in the markets, such as those in France which were the work of one bank official. The interesting thing about that situation was that so much money was involved without any regulation and yet other matters are regulated to a high degree. These things affect us and this...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 May 2008)

John Gerard Hanafin: I join other Senators in asking the Leader to invite the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Brendan Smith, to come to the House to discuss the ongoing World Trade Organisation talks. Such a debate would be timely in the context of the link that is currently being made by certain groups between the WTO and the Lisbon treaty. While we have to agree the Lisbon treaty, we do...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 May 2008)

John Gerard Hanafin: I support Senator O'Toole's suggestion in the way it was put that people should retain their titles. This is a well-established practice in other republics, in particular in America. When a person has achieved fine expertise, it seems unusual that he or she is not brought back into the system in some way. Such recognition occurs in society. We recognise that when people reach the age of...

Seanad: Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Committee Stage. (1 May 2008)

John Gerard Hanafin: Next Wednesday, 7 May 2008, at 12.30 p.m.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 May 2008)

John Gerard Hanafin: It is clear to me that the Labour Party has called for the implementation of abortion legislation. Senators should correct me if I am wrong. Such a call is both untimely and wrong. It was wrong in terms of the X case, in which for reasons of suicide Article 40.3.3° of the Constitution was allowed to include suicide. A report was recently published by the Royal College of Psychologists...

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2008: Second Stage. (30 Apr 2008)

John Gerard Hanafin: I would not be happy to change the Freedom of Information Act as to do so would create the potential for divulging confidential information, much of which is held by the Garda and the HSE. Other areas have also opened up, including business related activity. If for example, a company submits a tender and subsequently finds through a freedom of information request that it is first on the...

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2008: Second Stage. (30 Apr 2008)

John Gerard Hanafin: I have found that Departments give reasoned responses and it is rare that something would be found under the Freedom of Information Act to justify a decision, so we must consider vexatious claims. The purpose of the Freedom of Information Act 1997 is to confer rights on members of the public to obtain access to official information to the greatest extent possible consistent with the public...

Seanad: Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Second Stage (30 Apr 2008)

John Gerard Hanafin: If we ever needed proof of the true nature of the Lisbon treaty we got it this week when one country, Lithuania, was able to prevent a treaty with Russia from going ahead. That situation would remain the case after the Lisbon treaty is ratified. There is no doubt in my mind that it would be in the best interests of Europe for both the EU and Russia — both members of the European family...

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Apr 2008)

John Gerard Hanafin: I wish to raise a question about the Irish Council for Bioethics. It appears the council's board is "independable". "Independable" to me means they have the gloss of independence but are entirely dependable to give the result required. Recently, by a margin of 13 to nil, its board came to a decision that affects life. Approximately 60% of the country holds pro-life views, yet 13 people on...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Apr 2008)

John Gerard Hanafin: Yesterday the Irish Council for Bioethics called for legislation to provide for embryonic stem cell research, which they described as the gold standard. There is no instance of such research being successful. The researchers are like the alchemists of old trying to turn base metal into gold. Stem cell research is not that difficult. It is logical that an embryo, which must grow at a...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Apr 2008)

John Gerard Hanafin: I commend the leader on arranging at such short notice the attendance in the House of the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and ask that our meeting with her be re-arranged. In light of the developing situation in the World Trade Organisation negotiations and the possibility of a reduction in food production in Europe at a time when we need to substantially increase production in...

Seanad: Kidnapping and Detention of Ms Ingrid Betancourt: Motion (10 Apr 2008)

John Gerard Hanafin: I support what has been said in very strong and caring terms in connection with the case of Ms Betancourt. FARC has caused much suffering and mayhem. It is ostensibly a left-wing group, but in reality is more like a criminal group. The actions taken against FARC have sometimes been hampered by the lack of co-operation between neighbouring countries in South America. They should seriously...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Apr 2008)

John Gerard Hanafin: I support those seeking dialogue with China, in respect of which we have a very clear template based on the events in eastern Europe. On foot of supporting internal changes in the Soviet Union, the walls eventually came crumbling down and freedom spread throughout eastern Europe and into Russia itself. We should continue to use this template and engage in dialogue to address the many issues...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Apr 2008)

John Gerard Hanafin: I ask the Leader to request the incoming Minister for Finance to attend in the House to discuss the challenges facing the economy. I am not one of those who believes we take responsibility for aspects that are outside our control. We have managed this economy with a view to it being an open market economy in a world market. Advanced factories, taxation policies, the IFSC, the Shannon free...