Results 541-560 of 891 for speaker:John Minihan

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Jun 2004)

John Minihan: I too wish to be associated with the remarks of previous speakers in congratulating the Taoiseach and the Government on its Presidency of the EU. This was highlighted over the weekend, when again great credit was brought to this small nation on the European stage. The Taoiseach deserves warm congratulations from everybody. It is good that we can fulfil the message and mission statement of...

Seanad: Housing (Stage Payments) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (16 Jun 2004)

John Minihan: I welcome and congratulate Senator Coghlan's initiative in introducing this Private Members' Bill. I have spoken to the Senator on this matter on a number of occasions outside the House and was surprised that the Bill was moved so quickly. I would have liked to have had further discussions prior to its introduction. Having experienced stage payments in County Cork, where the scheme is normal...

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Jun 2004)

John Minihan: Will Senator Hayes act as chair at the Forum?

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Jun 2004)

John Minihan: I congratulate everyone who succeeded in the recent local elections. More importantly, I congratulate everyone who partook in the local elections regardless of the result, both the candidates and the public at large for coming out in such large numbers. It is a great test of one's calibre to put oneself before one's community and peers to face an electorate. It is very easy for those who do...

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Jun 2004)

John Minihan: Senator Bannon should put his salary on the Paddy Power slip.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

John Minihan: I welcome the Minister and the opportunity to speak in support of this motion. The decision to decentralise public service jobs from Dublin to other parts of the country has been strongly welcomed, particularly by those towns and communities that will benefit. As previous speakers said, it has already created a new vibrancy in those communities, a sense of self-worth and self-belief that can...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

John Minihan: ——undervalues and undermines the whole principle of decentralisation in that these people, I suggest, will commute to their new-found employment. They will not contribute to the community, purchase houses or put their children into local schools. It is a decision I fail to understand. Not only could I not understand it when it was originally made, I equally cannot understand it since it...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

John Minihan: ——and a sensible resolution will be found to it. I welcome the fact that this debate is taking place. It is necessary that we have a report and an update. We must give reassurances that the system being put in place by the Government will work. People applying for these moves and those in fear of being forced to move must be reassured that the necessary support mechanisms to help them...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

John Minihan: 1922.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

John Minihan: His time is up.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

John Minihan: Is the Senator against the motion?

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

John Minihan: Is Senator Bannon for or against the motion? I am confused.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

John Minihan: He could go to either the crèche or the cell.

Seanad: Middle East Conflict: Statements. (26 May 2004)

John Minihan: In speaking this evening on the broad issue of the current situation in the Middle East, I would like to address the situations in Iraq and in Israel and Palestine. In my opinion, both situations warrant a debate in their own right. There have been many changes in Iraq over the past few months and we can look at these in terms of the glass being half full or half empty. Treatment of prisoners...

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (20 May 2004)

John Minihan: I too join with previous speakers in calling for an urgent debate regarding the Middle East, and particularly the activities over the last few days in Israel and Palestine. Enough has been said about that, but I urge the Leader to arrange a debate as soon as possible. Like other speakers I welcome the news regarding Intel. Having lived in Leixlip from 1980 to 1992, I saw how it developed. I...

Seanad: Good Friday Agreement: Motion. (19 May 2004)

John Minihan: I echo previous speakers in welcoming the Minister to the House this evening for this important debate and I congratulate him on his recent speech, The Challenge to our Republican Values. I am sorry that it was not published in full by our newspapers. I encourage Members and the public to read it because it is a history lesson which all Irish people should take on board and study very...

Seanad: Good Friday Agreement: Motion. (19 May 2004)

John Minihan: Let us clarify a couple of things. An act of regret or some form of recognition for an act of wrongdoing might in some way lighten my tone when I refer to these killers. In recent days we have seen a game of words played out. I fully accept the sincerity of the Minister and the Government. I also accept that their responsibility is greater than ours in moving the peace process forward. I am...

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 May 2004)

John Minihan: I endorse the comments of the previous speakers. I spoke on this issue in the House last week and I ask the Leader again to convey to the Minister for Foreign Affairs that the time has come for us to be seen to take action. We should voice our concerns. The Minister should talk to the US ambassador and we should have a commitment from the Government, particularly the Taoiseach, that this...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 May 2004)

John Minihan: I support the calls by Senator Brian Hayes with regard to Allied Irish Banks. It is disturbing that the overcharging of customers was known at departmental level some two years ago. What action was taken, if any, to correct this must be made known. Those who were cut short must be refunded. If we want to have a credible view of our banking system, serious action must be taken as this happens...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 May 2004)

John Minihan: For a country that spoke of support of the efforts in Iraq, Ireland is best placed as a friend of the US. The Minister for Foreign Affairs should seek a meeting with the US ambassador and voice our concerns with what is happening in Iraq. If the US cannot listen to states that have supported it in principle, there is no hope of having a responsible war on terrorism.