Results 5,621-5,640 of 7,604 for speaker:James Bannon

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: I am disappointed with the manner in which the Cathaoirleach dealt with the business.

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: We need a fresh look at the structures in place to promote our tourism industry. The regional boards we have at present have outlived their usefulness. Last week's ITIC survey showed worrying trends in tourism. There has been a decline in the number of bednights, tourists are spending less time in Ireland and there are fewer UK visitors. Tour operators, agencies involved in tourism and...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: I welcome the Minister of State. The Taoiseach said in the Dáil on 27 April that this would be the last Electoral (Amendment) Bill in the life of the Government, which is to say it will be the last before the next general election. While essentially dealing with the implementation of the recommendations of the report of the Constituency Commission, published in January 2004, relating to the...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: The commission report should have been dealt with separately and deserved the courtesy of being thus highlighted.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: We are obliged to sort out the major cock-up made by the previous Minister but that should be done independently. His railroading of an e-voting system that was blatantly flawed posed a real threat to our democracy. Its long drawn out storage poses a serious threat to the public purse. When will the Minister of State publicly admit that the machines purchased by his predecessor are not viable...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: I welcome the publication of the Dáil Constituency Commission report——

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: ——and congratulate the commission on honouring historical and geographical constituency boundaries to such an extent, given its difficult task. An exception is the controversial decision on my neighbour, County Leitrim, which raises numerous questions.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: I made representations to the commission by means of a submission calling for the restoration of the old Longford-Westmeath constituency. I was the only one from the midlands to do so.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: The population is ideal for a Dáil constituency. It is the historical constituency for the area and it was unnecessarily abandoned for the Longford-Roscommon constituency. The old commission erred in its last revision and I am glad it has corrected this. While Longford-Roscommon and Longford-Westmeath do not breach county boundaries, the Longford-Roscommon arrangement was a completely...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: The River Shannon is the most significant physical feature by far in Ireland, yet the commission failed to show regard for the Shannon, despite its terms of reference. A mere two bridges connect counties Longford and Roscommon, at Lanesboro and Tarmonbarry. There are fewer land connections between counties Longford and Roscommon than between England and France — the channel tunnel has...

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: Throughout the country, from Donegal to Kerry and Dublin to Galway, including the midlands, thousands of families in social and affordable housing have been let down by this Government.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: I am disappointed there was not a debate on housing in this Chamber during the last term, despite numerous calls from this side of the House.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: We have requested a debate on housing on several occasions but this has not taken place. The Taoiseach is out at chip shops or tile stores making announcements with regard to land swaps with some of his own cronies in order to provide affordable houses. This is shameful.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: Some 10,000 affordable houses were promised by the Government but less than 800 have been delivered.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: It is a shameful record for any Government.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: The cracks are developing.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: I am sure Senator O'Rourke will too.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: It is over a year and a half since the constituency boundaries commission delivered its report on changes to constituency boundaries but we are still waiting for legislation in this regard. Will the Leader update us as to when the Electoral (Amendment) Bill will be introduced to the House? We were promised it would be introduced this session. Increasing numbers of people are taking up walking...

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: However, a small percentage do not use any type of reflective armbands or clothing. Will the Leader invite the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to debate the introduction of legislation making it an offence for pedestrians to use our country roads without proper reflective armbands? There is a serious situation with regard to accidents involving pedestrians. The poor motorist is...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: I support the call by Senator Brian Hayes for an update on Seanad reform proposals. When Senator O'Rourke took over as Leader of the House, it was one of her aims, as announced in a fanfare of publicity, to bring forward legislation in this area. We have heard very little since the report was published. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Agriculture and Food to the House to attend a...