Results 6,661-6,680 of 7,604 for speaker:James Bannon

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: Following a report circulated by RGDATA on what it describes as "ghost town Britain", it is important to invite the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Harney, to the House to debate the action needed to avoid "ghost town Ireland". I am concerned at the great number of small rural post offices, shops and other business outlets that are closing down in rural...

Seanad: Visa Applications. (4 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to respond to my motion concerning the refusal of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform to grant visitor visas to Nana Kwyku Agyeman, who was born on 23 June 1994, and Kofio Oppoku Agyeman, who was born on 7 July 1990. They are both minors. These boys have applied through their mother, Mrs. Agatha Agyeman, and her husband,...

Seanad: Visa Applications. (4 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: Only two wish to travel to Ireland.

Seanad: Visa Applications. (4 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: I will bring the information given by the Minister of State to the notice of the family and to the social workers dealing with the case.

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (4 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: The hikes of 12% last year and 5% this year in motor taxation were discussed in detail on Second Stage. However, the millions of euro lost through people failing to pay motor tax must be addressed. The Government needs to get tough on motor tax dodgers. A survey published a number of years ago highlighted that the Exchequer loses millions annually and it is unfair on people who pay their...

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (4 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: I understand the law in that regard. Such people are guilty of making two false declarations. First, they have the cheek to go into a Garda station and declare the car is off the road and then they sign a declaration form in the presence of a garda. That is wrong and that law needs to be examined. It is unfair to the gardaí who sign the forms because they cannot be on everyone's back on a...

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (4 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: I thank the Minister of State. We have had disagreements during the debate on the Bill. It is a little rich to expect people to pay extra taxes when we do not crack down on tax evaders. I am delighted the Minister of State has indicated that he will do all in his power to crack down on tax evaders. Law which allows people to evade paying tax is bad law. I thank the Minister of State for...

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: I welcome the Government's U-turn and change of heart on rural planning. It is important we debate this issue.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: I support the call for a debate on this issue. We need to debate the staffing of local authorities following this decision because there is a substantial shortfall in the planning departments of most of them. There is a huge backlog of planning applications which need to be dealt with and it is important that local authorities have personnel in place.

Seanad: Rural Transport Initiative. (3 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: I welcome the Minister of State. Longford Community Resources is a joint Leader partnership company covering the entire county. Surveys undertaken in Longford indicated a great need for a rural transport service in the county, particularly the northern part, which is a CLÁR-designated area. In 2002 the north Longford transport working group was formed, which consisted of representatives from...

Seanad: Rural Transport Initiative. (3 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: I am shocked and disappointed but not surprised at the Minister of State's opening remarks.

Seanad: Rural Transport Initiative. (3 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: He blamed Leader in Longford, which is very unfair of him.

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (3 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: Fianna Fáil councillors are telling people they are being forced on them.

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (3 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: We need a trustworthy system and not what is being concocted by Fianna Fáil, the Progressive Democrats and the Minister in regard to e-voting. The public does not trust them on the issue.

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (3 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: I agree.

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (3 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: The Minister of State is fleecing motorists to pay for e-voting. The reality is that what he will take in as a result of this Bill will be less than half what e-voting will cost.

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (3 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: The Minister of State should look at the wastage throughout the city, to which I referred in my speech. He did not answer that point.

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (3 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: The Minister of State forgot our heritage in the European Elections (Amendment) Bill.

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (3 Mar 2004)

James Bannon: That is nonsense.