Results 5,721-5,740 of 7,604 for speaker:James Bannon

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 May 2005)

James Bannon: There are no ambulances available.

Seanad: Immigrant Workers: Motion. (4 May 2005)

James Bannon: The Government has been in power for more than seven years and done nothing about it.

Seanad: Immigrant Workers: Motion. (4 May 2005)

James Bannon: I welcome the Minister to the House to debate this important issue. From being a relatively poor country dragged into prosperity on the back of the EU, Ireland now has the second highest minimum wage in the EU, a fact about which the Government boasts. However, this is no excuse for complacency when our immigrant workers, who contribute to our economic growth, sometimes find themselves...

Seanad: Immigrant Workers: Motion. (4 May 2005)

James Bannon: While 77% of those polled believe that Irish people living illegally in the United States should be allowed to remain there, only 66% believed that non-nationals awaiting decisions on residency applications should be allowed to remain in Ireland. The unhappy picture presented by this poll is that while we as a nation were quick to accept the largesse of other countries and still hope to do...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (4 May 2005)

James Bannon: I request the Leader to invite the Minister for Agriculture and Food to this House as soon as possible to debate the inadequate levels of staff on the helpline for the single farm payment scheme.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (4 May 2005)

James Bannon: Neither public representatives nor farmers can get through to the helpline. On 25 occasions last week I tried to access the helpline number and failed. Yesterday I encountered a similar situation. I contacted the Minister's private secretary and was told the Minister and her staff had a similar problem in accessing the helpline. The way farmers are being treated by this Government is scandalous.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (4 May 2005)

James Bannon: If a farmer makes a simple error he or she can lose his or her entire entitlement, whereas the Minister or an official can make a mistake and refer to it as a mistake.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (4 May 2005)

James Bannon: It is a disgrace.

Seanad: Child Care Services. (28 Apr 2005)

James Bannon: I thank the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Michael Ahern, for taking this motion on the Ballynacargy child care service. The Ballynacargy child care committee urgently requires funding to extend and develop their existing child care services which are situated on the main street of Ballynacargy village, County Westmeath. This service is managed...

Seanad: Child Care Services. (28 Apr 2005)

James Bannon: I thank the Minister of State.

Seanad: Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines: Statements. (28 Apr 2005)

James Bannon: The Minister will go to Westmeath and canvass for Senator O'Rourke.

Seanad: Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines: Statements. (28 Apr 2005)

James Bannon: He was from Longford. We claim him.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Apr 2005)

James Bannon: A recent report indicated that Ireland has the highest level of ground water pollution in the EU. The health and safety of thousands of people are at risk because of the serious problems in many towns and villages throughout Ireland. The Government has failed to invest an adequate level of funding in group water and sewerage schemes. There is a long waiting list for the funds needed to put in...

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Apr 2005)

James Bannon: There is an urgent need for a debate on the Government's failure to do its job in this respect.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Apr 2005)

James Bannon: I ask the Leader to encourage the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to come to the House to speak about this issue.

Seanad: Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines: Statements. (28 Apr 2005)

James Bannon: I welcome the Minister to the House to deal with the important issue of planning, which has been dear to my heart since I was first elected to a local authority 20 years ago. The issue of planning, or lack of planning, in communities takes up a great deal of public representatives' time. While I would like to give an unreserved welcome to these guidelines, which provide for people wishing to...

Seanad: Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines: Statements. (28 Apr 2005)

James Bannon: The Department is to organise a series of seminars which must be thorough and all encompassing on the new guidelines. Planners must be fully au fait with all aspects of the guidelines they will implement. A new section has been added since the publication of the draft guidelines, which were not very different from those we are discussing today. The section emphasises the need for an improved,...

Seanad: Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines: Statements. (28 Apr 2005)

James Bannon: I disagree with the Leader. The new guidelines will force many rural householders seeking to buy or build a one-off house to stay in it for a period of seven years. Under the regulations, rural homeowners or members of their families will have to occupy a property for seven years unless a local authority allows them to sell it to somebody with a link to the area. It is proposed, however, that...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Apr 2005)

James Bannon: Is the Senator making an accusation?

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Apr 2005)

James Bannon: Midlands sense. Longford-Westmeath sense, in actual fact.