Results 6,721-6,740 of 7,604 for speaker:James Bannon

Seanad: Job Creation. (24 Feb 2004)

James Bannon: With no disrespect to the Minister of State, I would have preferred if the Tánaiste had been here for the Adjournment. I know the Minister of State has connections with Longford. I believe his grandfather stood for election in the constituency of Longford-Westmeath at one time. I am sure he will put his shoulder to the wheel to get additional industry for my county of Longford. I emphasise...

Seanad: Job Creation. (24 Feb 2004)

James Bannon: It is factual.

Seanad: Job Creation. (24 Feb 2004)

James Bannon: The general public are deeply suspicious of Deputy Sexton's delivery for the county. Longford was not alone in being conned. Right across the country phantom jobs were announced prior to the general election in Birr, Limerick and Galway, as well as Longford, to name but a few of the affected counties.

Seanad: Job Creation. (24 Feb 2004)

James Bannon: While 1,300 jobs may represent nothing but numbers to the Tánaiste to achieve her purpose, these jobs were more than empty words to County Longford. Their loss is a major blow to the economy of the county and the entire midlands. Cardinal Health was expected to become the largest employer in the area. Longford County Council was put in considerable debt since the announcement in 2000. It had...

Seanad: Job Creation. (24 Feb 2004)

James Bannon: There is evidence in the Minister of State's statement that the Tánaiste took her eye off the ball. The rug was pulled from under her by Puerto Rico, Belgium, France and the UK.

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (24 Feb 2004)

James Bannon: I welcome the Minister to the House. As stated, the purpose of this Bill is to remove the compulsory retirement age for certain categories of those who enter the public service on or after 1 April 2004, to increase the pensionable age for certain categories of new entrants into the public service, including Members of either House of the Oireachtas and certain office holders, and to make...

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (24 Feb 2004)

James Bannon: With a median age ten years below that of Europe, the population of the Republic is not ageing as quickly as that of neighbouring states. However, our time will come and our citizens will be forced to protest as others have done before them. While recognising that it is necessary to provide for the expected 50% increase in the number of pensioners in approximately 30 years, the first...

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (24 Feb 2004)

James Bannon: It is estimated in the budget that the annual savings which will arise from these pension changes will be approximately €300 million in current terms in 30 to 40 years, with some savings being realised before that. No more needs to be said. This Government's actions speak for themselves. Once again, it is turning to a sector of our society which is not deserving of or capable of handling...

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (24 Feb 2004)

James Bannon: The Minister did not deliver on the medical cards, which is disgraceful.

Seanad: Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (24 Feb 2004)

James Bannon: The Senator doubts the Minister.

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Feb 2004)

James Bannon: Passports for sale.

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Feb 2004)

James Bannon: Some time ago I called on the Leader to invite the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to the House for a debate on the BMW mid-term review. According to that document, there was an underspend of €680 million in the BMW region because of bureaucracy and red tape. The debate should include discussion on rural development and rural infrastructure. It is important to promote...

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Feb 2004)

James Bannon: ——in Westmeath is the Mullingar-Athlone rail line. The Minister is introducing reviews one after another. This is costing money and blocking investment in the midland region.

Seanad: European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (19 Feb 2004)

James Bannon: The defence the Minister of State put forward is not good enough. We have heard from computer experts that security considerations require the system to be radically modified. The Minister of State referred to the fact that while I was in Germany I should have visited certain companies there who are in the business of manufacturing. The proof of the pudding is in the eating. That is a phrase...

Seanad: European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (19 Feb 2004)

James Bannon: Who owns this design or code? How many people have seen the code? These are simple questions that need to be answered. Returning officers throughout the land are confused with the system. I am listening to poll clerks who have presided at past elections and they have not been issued with any guidelines to date. There will be total confusion. We are less than four months away from the European...

Seanad: European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (19 Feb 2004)

James Bannon: I support the amendment. Current policy adds insult to injury in that one law is applied to one forum and another to the Houses of the Oireachtas. The Minister's party has some of its local authority members running for Europe and corporations and county councils. This is not a sensible approach and contradicts previous legislation. People need conformity in regard to legislation and this is...

Seanad: European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (19 Feb 2004)

James Bannon: We are not afraid of elections.

Seanad: European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (19 Feb 2004)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 6: In page 6, line 12, in the first column, to delete "East" and substitute "Leinster". This relates to the historical provinces in the country and the identifiable regions within the State. These were abandoned unnecessarily in favour of East, North-West and South constituencies. It may have been an oversight on the part of the boundary commission. The ceathair chúige...

Seanad: European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (19 Feb 2004)

James Bannon: What I propose does not interfere with the decision taken by the boundary commission on the boundaries. The names I propose are part of our heritage and culture. When people vote on a referendum on a treaty, we hear it said that we are losing much of our identity to Europe. When politicians return from meetings in Europe and have responsibility for implementing the provisions of a European...

Seanad: European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (19 Feb 2004)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 7: In page 6, line 16, in the first column, to delete "North-West" and substitute "Clare Connacht/Ulster". Question, "That the word proposed to be deleted stand," put and declared carried.