Results 581-600 of 996 for speaker:John Gerard Hanafin
- Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)
John Gerard Hanafin: All of us here-----
- Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)
John Gerard Hanafin: We have all given assistance with visas, passports-----
- Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)
John Gerard Hanafin: We have dealt with people simply looking for a permit for work.
- Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)
John Gerard Hanafin: It is a normal part of our work but the voodoo politics of the Opposition, where they are throwing-----
- Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)
John Gerard Hanafin: -----pins at the Taoiseach's character-----
- Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)
John Gerard Hanafin: This attempt to smear the Taoiseach is unacceptable but is typical of their actions. Voodoo politics.
- Seanad: Order of Business (20 Dec 2007)
John Gerard Hanafin: I support the calls for a debate on the use of Shannon. We have spoken on the issue before, but we have never been provided with firm proof. The difficulty I have with the issue concerns whether we are dealing with shadow or fact. I am concerned that some people accept the shadows as facts. Until we have real proof, there is little point in us setting up a committeeââ
- Seanad: Order of Business (20 Dec 2007)
John Gerard Hanafin: I have great concern with regard to setting up a committee because some Members champion the cause of those against the use of Shannon by America and would not be objective or fair. They have never been realistic and fair in the House with regard to how the American Administration has operated. As a result, we have not had objective debate in the House on the issue.
- Seanad: Appropriation Bill 2007: Second Stage (20 Dec 2007)
John Gerard Hanafin: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. The debate on the Appropriation Bill gives us an opportunity to consider what we sought in the budget and in many cases it has delivered on target. Our economy is still in an expansionary trend but the difference is that it is expanding at a lower rate. The economy is fairly strong. We have had economic growth of 4.75% in 2007. It is expected...
- Seanad: Business of Seanad (20 Dec 2007)
John Gerard Hanafin: I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, that No. 1 concludes at 12.20 p.m.
- Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2007)
John Gerard Hanafin: I join the call for a debate on the regulation of the mobile phone market, especially because we are paying so much more than other Europeans. I raised this several times during the last session when I noted that there was a duopoly and no competition in the market. That has changed and the Government should take strong action, just as it has recently on issues of concern such as deferral...
- Seanad: European Union Reform Treaty: Statements (12 Dec 2007)
John Gerard Hanafin: Is there a possibility of European Commission President Barroso confirming the situation regarding tax? It is purely to eliminate the possibility of a red herring being consistently raised by the Opposition, so that once and for all we can get a definitive answer.
- Seanad: Order of Business (12 Dec 2007)
John Gerard Hanafin: I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on the accession states to the European Union at the earliest opportunity. I welcome the results of the recent election and the clear transition of power in Russia where President Putin will shortly hand over the reigns to a new president.
- Seanad: Order of Business (12 Dec 2007)
John Gerard Hanafin: As part of a rational debate on progress in Russia, we must note that the country has come a long way since the totalitarian regime of the Soviet Union and the partially democratic era under former President Boris Yeltsin.
- Seanad: Order of Business (12 Dec 2007)
John Gerard Hanafin: Unfortunately, many people continue to exhibit a Cold War mentality towards Russia. They must move on because a new state and fledgling democracy have emerged.
- Seanad: Order of Business (12 Dec 2007)
John Gerard Hanafin: It has made great strides. The purest test of democracy was whether President Putin would try to stand for a third term.
- Seanad: Order of Business (12 Dec 2007)
John Gerard Hanafin: Marvellous strides have been made in Russia. During the Yeltsin years terrible mistakes were made and vast resources were sold off for a pittance. The entire gas resources of the Soviet Union, which account for approximately one third of world supply, as well as the country's steel industry were sold off for the price of a house on Shrewsbury Road. While I recognise the difficulties the...
- Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2007)
John Gerard Hanafin: It is a hallmark of democracy to give human rights to those who may not have given them to others. We should stand up for their human rights because it is important for people to have fair trials. People who have been given a nameplate are not always innocent. In many cases they are, but even when they have done something very wrong we must stand up for their human rights. I support the...
- Seanad: Budget Statement 2008: Statements (Resumed) (5 Dec 2007)
John Gerard Hanafin: The budget was a question of priorities and it matches our expectations. We wanted the Minister for Finance to look after the less well-off. It is a time of economic change in the world in which we have little say. It is a time of uncertainties in the finance and equity markets. The Minister for Finance took the right course. It was a prudent budget but one which looked after the most...
- Seanad: Budget Statement 2008: Statements (Resumed) (5 Dec 2007)
John Gerard Hanafin: I am pleased with the increase in the social welfare payments. Dependants, who were in an anomalous situation, have received a significant and welcome increase of â¬27 which, when combined with the increase of â¬14 in the contributory pension, makes an increase of â¬41 a week or more than â¬2,000 a year. Respite grants have increased. Supporting older people is one hallmark of the...