Results 5,641-5,660 of 7,604 for speaker:James Bannon

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: It would entail having to break ranks.

Seanad: Asylum Applications. (15 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: I thank the Minister, Deputy Ó Cuív, for taking this matter on the Adjournment. The situation with regard to Ms Odunsi and Ms Nwanze and their families is well documented and, I am sure, well known to the Minister. Elizabeth Odunsi and her four children, aged 17, 14, 11 and five years have been living in Athlone, County Westmeath, since 2001, having fled their own country of Nigeria. Their...

Seanad: Asylum Applications. (15 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: Having fled unimaginable circumstances to bring their children to a secure home with safe access to educational facilities, Ms Odunsi and Ms Nwanse now find themselves with their homes torn apart——

Seanad: Asylum Applications. (15 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: —— and their children in hiding because of the actions of the State. It is now up to the State, and to the Minister to allow these women to return to Ireland and be reunited with their families. He must let Emmanuel return to a normal home life.

Seanad: Asylum Applications. (15 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: I appeal to the Government to adhere to the terms of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. That a child is on the run as a fugitive in Athlone, County Westmeath, gives a bad impression of this country. Every possible effort needs to be made to ensure that the child can be reunited with his mother.

Seanad: Asylum Applications. (15 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: Does the Minister know where he is?

Seanad: Morris Tribunal Reports: Motion. (15 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: I support the spirit of the motion and join with Senator Cummins and others in praising the work of Mr. Justice Morris, which has led to explicit and straightforward reports. It is now incumbent on Government to oversee the immediate implementation of the recommendations of the Morris tribunal. Further fudging and procrastination will not be tolerated by this House or by the citizens of this...

Seanad: Morris Tribunal Reports: Motion. (15 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: Whatever the outcome of the debate or whether we should have a Garda ombudsman or commission as put forward by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, the proposals in the Garda Síochána Bill should be reviewed as a matter of urgency.

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: Will the Leader invite the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to the House to have a debate on the charges imposed under the Freedom of Information Act 1997? These charges are impacting negatively on public access to information. Transparency and accountability form the cornerstone of every democracy. As we have learned recently, there has been a 33% decline in the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: They consider people having access to information to be the pillar of democracy. The high charges imposed by the Government are having a negative effect on this country. We need a review and a debate on the issue.

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: The Senator has been kissing babies.

Seanad: Afforestation Programme. (14 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: I thank the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food, Deputy Browne, for coming to the House to respond to my remarks on an issue that has important implications for the development of this country, particularly its rural environment. I refer to the fact that Ireland has the lowest proportion of forest cover in the EU. Just 10% of this country is covered by forest, compared...

Seanad: Afforestation Programme. (14 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: The Minister of State said that the grant has increased by 50%, and 60% in less favoured areas. My view is that it has been reduced by 50%. When referring to his bargaining position earlier, he spoke about an increase of 50%. It is incorrect to say it has increased by 50%.

Seanad: Afforestation Programme. (14 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: The grant must be 100%. Nothing less will be sufficient for Irish farmers.

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: Since the House last met, we have had the report of the Joint Committee on Health and Children into illegal nursing home charges. The report has undermined public confidence in the committee system operated by this House, even though it has functioned very well in the past. There is much concern that the report was about the protection of sinners and it is regarded as censorship at its best....

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: I support Senator O'Toole with regard to a debate on café bars. There was an interesting situation during the week when Senator Morrissey stated that Fianna Fáil has no values or principles in respect of this issue. Despite the official policy of the Department of Health and Children to oppose the café bar system, there is a significant conflict of interest with the Tánaiste, who is the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: No.

Seanad: EU Directives. (1 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: I would like to share time with my colleague, Senator Browne, if that is in order.

Seanad: EU Directives. (1 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: I thank the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Roche, for attending the House and taking this motion regarding the EU directive on the restriction of hazardous substances in electrical equipment. It has annoyed me for quite some time. It is known as the directive on waste electrical and electronic equipment, which is known as the WEEE directive, an unusual...

Seanad: EU Directives. (1 Jun 2005)

James Bannon: I understand the concerns of those in the electrical retail business. When the Protection of the Environment Act 2003 was being debated in this House, I asked a question in regard to the burning of bushes, hedge trimmings and other debris on farmland. The Minister's predecessor assured me at that time that farmers would not be affected and could continue to burn bushes and so on as long as...