Results 6,141-6,160 of 7,604 for speaker:James Bannon

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

James Bannon: For many this Bill will not be the long-awaited end to their problems and those of their families but at least it is tabled and the process has begun. Perhaps the most worrying aspect of the legislation, returning to the publication of the Estimates and the budget, is that there appears to be a large element of political choice inherent in the funding essential to its implementation. I...

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

James Bannon: This is the same spin that Fianna Fáil has put on other issues in the past.

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

James Bannon: The electorate does not trust the Government in respect of this issue.

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

James Bannon: There is no figure mentioned.

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Sep 2004)

James Bannon: I join other Members in welcoming everybody back today, particularly Ms Jody Blake and Senator Kate Walsh. I express my disappointment that the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government wants to shirk his responsibility in failing to take a matter on the motion for the Adjournment regarding Slanemore, Mullingar, County Westmeath.

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Sep 2004)

James Bannon: If a sewerage scheme or housing estate were to be opened, he would be on hand. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Noel Dempsey, to explain——

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Sep 2004)

James Bannon: ——why he announced the closure of St. Catherine's College of Education for Home Economics. This closure was contrary to the best advice of Department officials, consultants, etc. Prior to this announcement, €1.4 million was spent on the refurbishment of the school. The Minister has many questions to answer on this matter about which there is considerable public concern. Either he or the...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (8 Jul 2004)

James Bannon: As I stated, section 14 is very important to the Bill. However, it has loopholes and unscrupulous landlords — I would like to believe there are few — could force tenants onto the highways for invalid reasons. At present, there are approximately 5,500 homeless people in the country and we do not want this Bill to be the cause of there being more. My amendment is valid and should be accepted.

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (8 Jul 2004)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 2: In page 31, between lines 19 and 20, to insert the following: 28.—Where a landlord terminates a tenancy prior to the expiry of the non-protection period, he or she shall provide the tenant with a written explanation of the reasons for the termination.". This amendment will give a greater level of security of tenure. It is designed to ensure that where a tenant is...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (8 Jul 2004)

James Bannon: The amendment gives strength to the rights and responsibilities of both the landlord and tenant. If a tenancy is discontinued for reasons of misbehaviour or otherwise, I see nothing wrong with stating that in writing. The amendment is valid and would strengthen the Bill. I see nothing wrong with the amendment, despite the arguments put forward by the Minister of State. A requirement that a...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (8 Jul 2004)

James Bannon: Yes.

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (8 Jul 2004)

James Bannon: On that point——

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (8 Jul 2004)

James Bannon: I wish to make one further comment.

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (8 Jul 2004)

James Bannon: The Minister of State referred to the commission. He accepted only 25% of the commission's recommendations.

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (8 Jul 2004)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 3: In page 35, between lines 37 and 38, to insert the following: 35—The purported termination of a tenancy by a landlord under section 34 shall be deemed to be null and void ab initio where evidence is adduced to show that the termination arises from a complaint by the tenant, or other action by the tenant made to secure his or her rights as a tenant.".

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (8 Jul 2004)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 4: In page 38, line 16, to delete "as husband and wife". I regard this provision as discriminatory and it should be amended to take into consideration the rights of all citizens. It does not provide for partnership relationships. The Opposition highlighted this on Committee Stage. The Minister of State has gone out of his way to exclude people. I ask him to delete the...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (8 Jul 2004)

James Bannon: The Minister of State has not allayed my fears about discrimination. It is illegal to discriminate against a person on the grounds of sexual orientation. Sisters, brothers and other members of a family frequently live together, yet such circumstances are not provided for in the legislation, which specifically refers to "husband and wife". It would be a simple matter to use the word...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (8 Jul 2004)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 5: In page 86, between lines 19 and 20, to insert the following: 135—(1) The landlord of a dwelling shall formally notify the Revenue Commissioners on the commencement of a tenancy of a dwelling under this Part. (2) Formal notification under this section shall be made—— (a) in the case of a tenancy commencing on a date that falls 3 or more months from the...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (8 Jul 2004)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 7: In page 95, between lines 9 and 10, to insert the following: "(e) the monitoring of any discrimination against tenants or any other discriminatory actions in the private rented sector,". The purpose of the amendment is to ensure the board will monitor discrimination faced by those seeking or retaining accommodation. Students, for example, are often refused...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (8 Jul 2004)

James Bannon: There is no university in the midlands while there are three or four in Dublin and one in other major cities such as Cork and Galway. The Department of Education and Science should address the question of locating a university in the midlands and perhaps County Longford might be considered as a suitable location for such an educational facility——