Results 581-600 of 891 for speaker:John Minihan
- Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)
John Minihan: One clear message from this evening's debate is that whereas we are all aware of the demise of Fine Gael the party has obviously only now realised this and is looking for changes to the system. It has been so grief-stricken at not being in Government and seeing no prospect of returning there that it is trying to change the systems of governance.
- Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)
John Minihan: Senator Bannon is much better when he speaks from the heart rather than from a script given to him. At least we get some entertainment out of that. In reciting the list he had I am amazed that he overlooked several key points, including the infamous letter from one of his colleagues in the Dáil vis-Ã-vis prison visiting committees. Not alone did this person want someone appointed, but the...
- Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)
John Minihan: Senator Bannon made a statement about the Progressive Democrats but he has not substantiated it.
- Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)
John Minihan: The Senator should substantiate it then.
- Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)
John Minihan: I am quite willing to share my time with Senator Bannon.
- Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)
John Minihan: Senator Bannon also failed to acknowledge the appointment of a former Member of this House, Maurice Manning, to the Human Rights Commission, and the appointment of Alan Dukes to the Agricultural Review Group.
- Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)
John Minihan: He also failed to mention the appointment of Mairead McGuinness who is now seeking the Fine Gael nomination as a candidate for the European elections.
- Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)
John Minihan: That shows that Government works.
- Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)
John Minihan: By their own admission the Fine Gael Senators have said we were putting quality people into quality jobs.
- Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)
John Minihan: Senator Cummins can dish it out, now he has to take it as well.
- Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)
John Minihan: I know it is but an idle dream for Fine Gael to sit on this side of the House but the party should not give up on it.
- Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)
John Minihan: No, because I did my job as a councillor and I filled all my potholes.
- Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)
John Minihan: A maiden speech. Senator Brian Hayes is obviously deaf as well as blind.
- Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)
John Minihan: Who have I named?
- Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)
John Minihan: Did the Chair say "to defend themselves"?
- Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)
John Minihan: I have not engaged in a character assassination of anybody. I have complimented appointments made of people who were suitably qualified.
- Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)
John Minihan: I have said nothing against which people would want to defend themselves. This motion does some disservice to the body politic and to all of us as politicians. We must realise that we are elected.
- Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)
John Minihan: We are elected. The Opposition Senators had their opportunity in the Seanad reform process to change that system had they wished. The Executive is elected to govern and if we continue to erode the body politic by handing over executive functions to a computerised system we do it a disservice.
- Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)
John Minihan: I fully accept the points made about the suitability, knowledge and expertise of people being appointed to State boards and I suggest to the Opposition Members and the Independent Members who put down this motion that there is ample opportunity for them to challenge any such appointment, to raise the matter and to ask the Government to account for such an appointment. However, we also must be...
- Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)
John Minihan: We must be very careful. If we had a system whereby suitable people could apply to put themselves through a process of assessment and interview with regard to their suitability for a post which is additional to their professions, we would be very short of suitable applicants for State boards.