Results 641-660 of 996 for speaker:John Gerard Hanafin
- Seanad: Order of Business (4 Oct 2007)
John Gerard Hanafin: The 1938 Constitution was voted on by 1.2 million people, almost 700,000 of whom voted for the Seanad in its current form.
- Seanad: Order of Business (4 Oct 2007)
John Gerard Hanafin: The reality is that the Seanad has worked exceptionally well. We have asked for a moderate proposal, an increase of ten Senators, when the Dáil has gone from 120 to 166 Members, which is a 33% increase. We have asked for only ten extra Senators in a system that has served the country well.
- Seanad: Order of Business (4 Oct 2007)
John Gerard Hanafin: That is our mandate.
- Seanad: Order of Business (3 Oct 2007)
John Gerard Hanafin: I refer to the debate we had on the commencement of the new Seanad regarding reform of the House. This issue should be examined and debated within the House. The impression might be given of how democratic is the House. A proposal was put before the people in 1937, which was voted on in 1938. Almost 700,000 voted so that we could be elected in the manner we are â six from the university...
- Seanad: Order of Business (3 Oct 2007)
John Gerard Hanafin: I was thinking of something fairer. The additional seats should be distributed on a pro rata basis.
- Seanad: Order of Business (3 Oct 2007)
John Gerard Hanafin: It would make sense. Looking back, we should take pride in this House being the forerunner on debates on stem cell research during the previous Seanad and on abortion during the 1980s and 1990s. A President was elected who was a former Senator while other former Members, such as Ken Whitaker, have become Ministers and MEPs and have done great things in other areas. I commend to the House...
- Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2007)
John Gerard Hanafin: This is not a maiden speech.
- Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2007)
John Gerard Hanafin: I wish the Cathaoirleach well in what I am sure will be an excellent term of office. I call for a debate on the Middle East, particularly in view of events in recent weeks in Lebanon where a Member of Parliament was assassinated. The Israeli Government, moreover, has discovered that Syria is in possession of nuclear material from North Korea. The French President, Mr. Sarkozy, is clear that...
- Seanad: Ministers and Secretaries (Ministers of State) Bill 2007: Second Stage (4 Jul 2007)
John Gerard Hanafin: I welcome the Minister back to the House and wish him well in his new capacity. I support the proposal in the Ministers and Secretaries (Ministers of State) Bill 2007 that the Government may, on the nomination of the Taoiseach, appoint not more than 20 persons who are Members of either House of the Oireachtas to be Ministers of State at Departments of State and may, at any time, on the...
- Seanad: Ministers and Secretaries (Ministers of State) Bill 2007: Second Stage (4 Jul 2007)
John Gerard Hanafin: I am not blaming Senator Finucane.
- Seanad: Ministers and Secretaries (Ministers of State) Bill 2007: Second Stage (4 Jul 2007)
John Gerard Hanafin: Only when what I say relates to the Senator.
- Seanad: Ministers and Secretaries (Ministers of State) Bill 2007: Second Stage (4 Jul 2007)
John Gerard Hanafin: I have referred to the Senator on numerous occasions but not in this particular instance. You raised the caseââ
- Seanad: Ministers and Secretaries (Ministers of State) Bill 2007: Second Stage (4 Jul 2007)
John Gerard Hanafin: The issue about the Ceann Comhairle and Leas-Cheann Comhairle was raised in the House this morning.
- Seanad: Ministers and Secretaries (Ministers of State) Bill 2007: Second Stage (4 Jul 2007)
John Gerard Hanafin: The reality is, though I know it is hard to get over, that the Opposition would not have supported this Government. We know that. The Opposition lost and should move on. We must accept those appointed to the position of Ceann Comhairle and Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I do not believe it is good for such matters to be raised in that context. We are all aware of what happened last week. It is...
- Seanad: Ethics In Public Office (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (4 Jul 2007)
John Gerard Hanafin: It is entirely reasonable in a case where a near relation or lifelong friend would allow somebody to stay in an apartment, rather than finding oneself on the wrong foot at the start and trying to explain away the relationship and trying to row back. This legislation ensures that does not happen. It is useful and gratifying that the legislation has provided that level of comfort to people...
- Seanad: Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (3 Jul 2007)
John Gerard Hanafin: I also support the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Bill. As a member of the Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business, I was proud to have been part of the group that took submissions and played some part in the establishment of the PIAB. I remember those submissions and I remember jobs being lost at the beginning of the last Dáil and this Seanad because people could...
- Seanad: Ethics In Public Office (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (3 Jul 2007)
John Gerard Hanafin: I thank the Minister for his very comprehensive explanation of the Bill. There is no doubt that, on occasion, we see opposition for the sake of it. I often wonder whether the Opposition, if in Government, would introduce a similar Bill to the one before us. The Acting Chairman can have no doubt that it would because of its practicality in today's world. Unfortunately we again heard...
- Seanad: Ethics In Public Office (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (3 Jul 2007)
John Gerard Hanafin: He does exactly what he says and the truth of what he says is often revealed subsequently. In this regard, the attacks on Deputy Flynn have annoyed me because we often write in the sand all the good that people do while we chisel in marble the few mistakes they make. The Opposition has the chisels out tonight. The Ethics in Public Office (Amendment) Bill 2007 has been drafted to fulfil the...
- Seanad: Ethics In Public Office (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (3 Jul 2007)
John Gerard Hanafin: It is all about timing.
- Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2007: Second Stage. (3 Jul 2007)
John Gerard Hanafin: I welcome the Tánaiste back to the Oireachtas in both that capacity and as Minister for Finance. I support the Finance (No. 2) Bill 2007. Comments and speculation in the past few months have undermined the stability of the housing market. I think in particular of one commentator who said there could be a 50% fall in the price of houses. Such a comment would be singularly unhelpful at any...