Results 6,741-6,760 of 7,604 for speaker:James Bannon

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

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 8: In page 6, line 21, in the first column, to delete "South" and substitute "Munster". Question, "That the word proposed to be deleted stand," put and declared carried.

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

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 9: In page 6, before section 5, to insert the following new section: "5.—The Interpretation Act 1937 is amended by inserting the following into the Schedule of the Act, before the expression 'Rules of Court': 25A.—The expression "representative in the European Parliament" shall be construed as a reference to a member of the European Parliament and cognate expressions...

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

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 10: In page 6, before section 6, to insert the following new section: 6.—(1) All aspects of electronic voting shall be inquired into by an Electoral Commission to be established by the House, who shall within six months of the passing of this Act, furnish a Report to this Houses of the Oireachtas, detailing the— (i) reliability, (ii) security, (iii) integrity, and...

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

James Bannon: This is an embarrassing day for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. It appears he did not listen to the expert advice, professional opinions or to the Opposition during the discussion on the Bill at the joint committee.

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

James Bannon: On the last occasion we discussed the electoral Bill——

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

James Bannon: We were promised time for a question and answer session but we did not get it.

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

James Bannon: I support the amendment which the Minister should consider taking on board. Given that the first letters of my surname are Ba, my name has always been listed at the top of the ballot paper. I did not realise there was benefit to be gained in that regard. However, many people believe the listing of names alphabetically puts candidates at the top of the list at an advantage. In the interests of...

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

James Bannon: I welcome the fact that the Minister of State will consider this issue and that he hopes to bring about some form of consensus between political parties and Independents in respect thereof. If the same approach had been adopted to electronic voting, the Government would not have undermined public confidence to the extent it has.

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

James Bannon: I belong to a political party as does the Cathaoirleach.

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

James Bannon: If an independent candidate wishes to have his or her name included on the ballot paper, he or she must bring some 30 people to a returning officer to sign a declaration. That must be examined in serious detail.

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

James Bannon: We must consider how these issues affect all democrats. They are entitled to put their names on ballot papers and they should not have to go through the current rigmarole to do so.

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

James Bannon: In the interests of Irish democracy, I ask that the Minister answer, even at this late stage, the 41 questions on the electronic voting system. We were told last week that we would have an opportunity at the end of statements on electronic voting to engage in a questions and answers session, but it did not happen. The Minister stated that the system had been verified in the UK and Germany....

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

James Bannon: We must be extremely careful on this issue. Several computer professionals have found it impossible to get details of the system from the Department. There was a letter in one of the newspapers yesterday which stated that a person had sought information under the Freedom of Information Act and paid in the region of €1,500 for very little. Seemingly, the Department does not have many facts...

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

James Bannon: Senator Brennan referred to the fact that the former leader of Fine Gael said he was in favour of e-voting. We are all in favour of it. Fine Gael is on the record of both Houses in favour of this process, but we want reliability and a secure system. That is what is at issue and what has been the bone of contention since the concept of e-voting was first proposed. The Minister did not listen...

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 Feb 2004)

James Bannon: Farmers are caught between the Departments of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Agriculture and Food and the advisory body, Teagasc, regarding the implementation of the nitrates directive. I call on the Leader to invite the Minister for Agriculture and Food to the House as a matter of urgency to debate the nitrates action plan. If this is implemented in its current format, it...

Seanad: Order of Business. (18 Feb 2004)

James Bannon: Yesterday was "weary Tuesday" for many people throughout the country when their hopes and aspirations were dashed following the announcement that many jobs promised by the Tánaiste and the PDs prior to the last general election would be lost.

Seanad: Order of Business. (18 Feb 2004)

James Bannon: Were the phantom jobs announced for Longford, Limerick, Galway and other constituencies where the PDs won seats——

Seanad: Order of Business. (18 Feb 2004)

James Bannon: I have a question.

Seanad: Order of Business. (18 Feb 2004)

James Bannon: I want to know why Ireland has lost its competitive edge. Why are so many international companies pulling out of the country? Is it because we have lost competitiveness? I call on the golden girl of "golden Thursday" to come to this House and debate the issue.

Seanad: Order of Business. (18 Feb 2004)

James Bannon: What about the hollow promises at the general election?