Results 6,621-6,640 of 7,604 for speaker:James Bannon

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: Like myself she must be listening to senior planners throughout the country.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: On another issue, I ask for a debate on the future of EU cohesion policy in Ireland post-2006. I understand submissions are being made by a number of bodies as regards funding post-2006. It is important we have a debate on this issue in terms of the country's competitiveness, growth etc. We want to see real balanced regional development. There has been much talk about this by Government, but...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: We are still a democracy.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: Was it prior to an election?

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: Where did the Senator perform best?

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: Has Senator Leyden information we do not have?

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: I thank Senator Cummins for sharing time. This Government has made over 600 appointments to State boards since its re-election. Fianna Fáil and PD supporters are very conspicuous on prison visiting committees, harbour boards, semi-State companies, regulatory agencies and national advisory boards. I was shocked when it first came to my notice within the last fortnight that in some parts of...

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: This is the party that claimed to be the watchdog of society. Where is politics when this can happen? Cronyism has been a feature of the political scene for far too long. The blatant preferment of party members or supporters of Government will not come to an end.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: The largest number of people——

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: The largest number of political appointments by a member of the Government has been made by the Minister for Health and Children in Senator Minihan's constituency. The Minister has 54 agencies under his Department's remit. This is followed by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform whose numerous appointments have been primarily to prison visiting committees. I have concrete...

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: ——including Aer Lingus, CIE, An Post, An Bord Gais——

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: ——as well as to the ESB on the day prior to the announcement of the new Cabinet. When Paddy Cooney, a member of my party, who held several ministerial positions made such appointments he did so on the basis of the most experienced and knowledgeable candidates rather than on political affiliations.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: I know it well from my constituency because several people were disappointed at the time.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: Following Fine Gael's criticism of the system of political appointees in the run-up to the last general election it is now more than time that these appointments both are, and are seen to be, transparent. The creation of an appointments commission is long overdue.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: The setting up of an independent commission to vet or ratify political appointed directors to State boards is imperative. Apart from the impartiality appointments it is important that all potential directors are aware and capable of carrying out the duties and responsibilities of their intended positions. I compliment the Independent Senators on tabling this motion. We are rowing in behind it...

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: We will not achieve that by doing what Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats have been up to since the last general election when they appointed over 600 people to boards. This is shameful and disgraceful and it is time it stopped.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: We are not going down the road the Progressive Democrats went down with Fianna Fáil.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: I can substantiate it.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: Senator Minihan should ask the Minister of State. He has the envelopes in his pocket.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: Those appointments were made on ability.