Results 6,121-6,140 of 7,604 for speaker:James Bannon

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (20 Oct 2004)

James Bannon: That is an appalling statement to make after seven and a half years in Government. It is time he woke up to the facts of what is happening in our health services.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (20 Oct 2004)

James Bannon: In addition, I would like to include in such a debate the findings of the most recent report on the increase in the incidence of suicide, particularly among young men. We need to debate and address this problem urgently.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Oct 2004)

James Bannon: I ask the Leader to invite to the House the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources for a debate on the roll out of broadband technology. We require this superfast Internet service for industry, business and to support decentralisation and communities. As I have said in the past, it is the 21st century equivalent of electrification in the 20th century, railways in the 19th...

Seanad: Educational Facilities: Motion. (6 Oct 2004)

James Bannon: I, too, welcome the new Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Hanafin, to the House and wish her well in her new office. I know the Minister has midland connections and I hope to see much of her there, in particular in County Longford where there are many applicants for school funding, a matter with which I will deal another day. When I heard Senator Feeney refer to the Minister as...

Seanad: Educational Facilities: Motion. (6 Oct 2004)

James Bannon: I support the motion and join with my colleagues in calling on the Minister to rescind her predecessor's decision and to restore full status to St. Catherine's College of Education in Sion Hill. Given the Minister's speech this evening, it is clear that even though it would be in the interests of her constituents were she to rescind that decision, she will not make a U-turn in that regard....

Seanad: Educational Facilities: Motion. (6 Oct 2004)

James Bannon: Some €1.4 million was spent on upgrading St. Catherine's College which was, upon completion of work, promptly closed by the former Minister. This is not an isolated incident. Dunbeg national school, County Donegal, a fully-equipped school — a rarity these days — was recently closed by the former Minister because, technically, it was one pupil short of the required number despite the...

Seanad: Educational Facilities: Motion. (6 Oct 2004)

James Bannon: I am sure the Minister will bring her own thoughts to her position. I ask that she imbue our education with all the benefits of a little common sense, something which is important in politics today. I admire the Minister's tone in answering the questions posed today. However, her answer was unsatisfactory to Members on this side of the House and to current and future pupils and teachers at...

Seanad: Educational Facilities: Motion. (6 Oct 2004)

James Bannon: The students feel that a move to St. Angela's will deprive them of a real third level campus experience. St. Catherine's College has operated under the ownership of the Dominican Order for the past 90 years and we must not forget the immense debt of gratitude we owe the nuns for their valuable work. We must also remember that the nuns have invested a significant amount of time and money in...

Seanad: Educational Facilities: Motion. (6 Oct 2004)

James Bannon: The Senator did not close it.

Seanad: Educational Facilities: Motion. (6 Oct 2004)

James Bannon: The Senator was advising the Minister.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2004)

James Bannon: In recent weeks farmers received an outline statement of their provisional entitlements under decoupling and the EU single payment scheme. Some farmers got a bad deal, particularly those who were sick or had outbreaks of TB, brucellosis and other diseases on their farms. They were told that if they were not satisfied, they could submit an appeal or contact a lo-call query line, but many of...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2004)

James Bannon: I will be brief. The State gave €40 million to the GAA for Croke Park last week. It is time for us to hold a debate on opening up this sporting facility to——

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2004)

James Bannon: ——other sporting organisations, particularly for international matches.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2004)

James Bannon: I look forward to the day when Longford Town, which performed so well last night, occupies Croke Park.

Seanad: Child Care Services. (30 Sep 2004)

James Bannon: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy de Valera, and wish her well in her new term of office. I wish to draw her attention to the urgent need for funding under the equal opportunities childcare programme for Granard, Ardagh and Legan, County Longford. Dedicated and hard-working groups are struggling to provide essential child care assistance in often highly unsuitable premises and...

Seanad: Child Care Services. (30 Sep 2004)

James Bannon: Would the Minister agree to meet a small deputation from the three child care committees to which I referred? This would be very helpful in opening up links with the groups and in allowing the Minister to see the wonderful work done by the groups, the manner in which they have put their project together and the need for child care services in the areas outlined.

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Sep 2004)

James Bannon: It would be remiss of me to allow the day to pass without complimenting the Taoiseach on his activities yesterday, particularly as, for the first time in his term of office, he admitted the complete failure of the Government to deliver on the promises made in the run-up to the most recent general election. There was great evidence of the latter yesterday when he sacked those in his team who...

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Sep 2004)

James Bannon: Approximately 3,000 crimes are committed in this country each day and many of them are not being investigated because the morale of the Garda Síochána is at an all-time low. The Taoiseach did not take decisive action yesterday in respect of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform who has presided over these developments. The structures for the new Health Service Executive were put...

Seanad: Disability Services: Motion. (29 Sep 2004)

James Bannon: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Tim O'Malley, to the House to discuss this important Bill but I note the absence of Progressive Democrats speakers on this important Government motion. It is amusing and rather pathetic that Fianna Fáil is starting this term, as I assume it means to go on, in a self-congratulatory manner. Spin, waffle, noise and lies are all calculated to deceive the...

Seanad: Disability Services: Motion. (29 Sep 2004)

James Bannon: When it is finalised, it will be the time for handing out the plaudits. There is an onus and responsibility on all of us, as elected public representatives, to continue to work to ensure the best possible outcome for people with special needs and disabilities. Congratulations are due to the Disability Legislation Consultation Group and other disability and caring groups which have spent so...