Results 6,161-6,180 of 7,604 for speaker:James Bannon

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

James Bannon: The infrastructure is there and the accommodation cheaper than that on offer in Dublin or any of our other cities.

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

James Bannon: The provisions of my amendments are not spelt out in the Bill. The purpose of the amendments is to grant specific responsibilities to the board, but the Minister of State's remarks undermine the functions of the board. It is important that the Bill should specify the functions of the board in terms of monitoring the price and quality of accommodation as this objective represents the thrust of...

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

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 8: In page 95, between lines 12 and 13, to insert the following: "(f) the monitoring of the quality and pricing of accommodation in the private rented sector,".

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

James Bannon: I second the amendment as it provides for greater gender balance. Fine Gael put forward two female candidates in the East constituency in the European elections and both were elected.

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

James Bannon: They are both superstars. It is the first time the Government was beaten in such an election since 1925.

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

James Bannon: The mayors of Longford County Council and Longford Town Council are both female.

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

James Bannon: Fine Gael very much favours gender balance and we have demonstrated this both in the European and local elections where 75% of the candidates running in Leinster were female.

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

James Bannon: I second the amendment.

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

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 12: In page 111, line 7, to delete "€20,000" and substitute "€40,000". If the board is to have weight and to be effective in determining disputes, it is necessary to increase the compensation threshold from the current low of €20,000 to €40,000. This is in the interests of all parties involved and I ask the Minister of State to accept the amendment.

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

James Bannon: I thank the Minister of State for taking the entire Bill through all Stages. It is a step forward and offers hope to young people and others seeking accommodation. As the Minister of State admitted, he is halfway up the ladder. He has not reached the top but hopefully he will achieve that goal.

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

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 1: In page 24, between lines 41 and 42, to insert the following: "(3) Such action includes, but is not limited to—— (i) harassment; (ii) intimidation; (iii) abusive or threatening behaviour; or (iv) retaliatory notice to quit.". Amendments Nos. 1 and 3 are all about treating tenants with the respect they deserve. As we all know, tenants pay huge rents, particularly in...

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Jul 2004)

James Bannon: I have called in the past for a debate on the massive underspend of €650 million in the national development plan on the BMW region, which has Objective One status, and I now do so again. I have highlighted this in the past and I have called on the Leader for a debate on the mid-term review of the BMW region. I want the Government to embark on a programme of real investment in the region....

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Jul 2004)

James Bannon: I wish her well. It would be very embarrassing if she were Commissioner with responsibility for rural development when there is a massive underspend in our area.

Seanad: National Monuments (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (7 Jul 2004)

James Bannon: While I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House, I am disappointed at this extremely worrying legislation.

Seanad: National Monuments (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (7 Jul 2004)

James Bannon: The Minister of State commented and I am entitled to do likewise.

Seanad: National Monuments (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (7 Jul 2004)

James Bannon: I am very disappointed that the Minister of State did not take the opportunity to compile a national register of monuments.

Seanad: National Monuments (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (7 Jul 2004)

James Bannon: I thank the Minister of State who will hopefully take on board in the near future many of the points we put to him. During a useful debate, strong arguments were put from this side of the House which must be taken on board in the national interest to protect our national monuments.

Seanad: National Monuments (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (7 Jul 2004)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 1: In page 3, between lines 13 and 14, to insert the following: "(b) in the definition of 'national monument', after the words 'remains of a monument' by inserting 'as designated by the Minister and appearing in the National Monuments Register',". I am concerned that under the legislation a site is either a national monument or it is not and there is no provision for...

Seanad: National Monuments (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (7 Jul 2004)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 3: In page 4, between lines 41 and 42, to insert the following: 4.—The Principal Act is amended by inserting the following section after section 5— 5A.—(1) The Minister shall cause to be established and maintained a register, to be known as the "National Monuments Register", of Monuments designated by him or her as being a National Monument (in this section referred...

Seanad: National Monuments (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (7 Jul 2004)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 4: In page 5, to delete lines 15 to 50, to delete pages 6 to 18 inclusive, and in page 9, to delete lines 1 to 7. Section 14 attempts to allow the Minister to exercise his or her discretion. This is a retrograde step which removes any constraints on the Minister and represents an attempt to prevent any intervention by the courts regarding ministerial decisions by putting...