Results 661-680 of 996 for speaker:John Gerard Hanafin

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Jul 2007)

John Gerard Hanafin: I congratulate the Cathaoirleach on his work during his term, which has been a study of how a quiet way can be very effective. I ask the Leader to ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs to raise a matter, which occurred when the general election was ongoing, with our partners in Europe, particularly Estonia. I am raising it at the first opportunity. A statue of a Russian soldier was removed...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Apr 2007)

John Gerard Hanafin: We recently observed the 50th anniversary of the founding of the European Community, during which questions about the European constitution arose once again. As a backbench Senator, it is patently obvious to me that the constitution is lacking because of the refusal to include God in it. That should be a simple matter but for all the intelligence and resources available to the drafters of...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Mar 2007)

John Gerard Hanafin: Will the Deputy Leader invite the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to the House? We are approaching the end of the 29th Dáil and Seanad during which there has been unprecedented prosperity, opportunity and social inclusion. It should be recognised that Ireland is regarded as a shining light throughout the world. We should discuss with the Minister how this progress can be...

Seanad: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages. (22 Mar 2007)

John Gerard Hanafin: I do not propose to accept these amendments because they would destroy what we set out to do in the Bill, namely, provide balance. Schools are of the opinion that at present there is a lack of balance regarding the consideration of appeals because criteria are not set down. The amendment of section 29 of the 1998 Act seeks to provide an appeals committee with criteria it can consider in...

Seanad: Protection of Employment (Exceptional Collective Redundancies and Related Matters) Bill 2007: Second Stage (21 Mar 2007)

John Gerard Hanafin: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and support the Protection of Employment (Exceptional Collective Redundancies and Related Matters) Bill 2007, the long title of which states: Bill entitled an Act to make provision, consequent on the conclusion of the ten-year framework social partnership agreement 2006-2015 known as "Towards 2016", for the establishment of a redundancy panel and...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Mar 2007)

John Gerard Hanafin: I thank the Cathaoirleach because I know we are short of time. It is unacceptable that workers in Nenagh found out about their job losses on the Internet. In that regard, I rise in support of my county colleague, Senator Mansergh. We will be seeking good alternative employment. Despite what the media say, manufacturing industry is continuing. I commend the workforce in Tipperary which...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

John Gerard Hanafin: I support Senator Mansergh's call for a debate. It is quite reasonable that we are tolerant and understanding in this House. It is also reasonable that people who would hold a liberal view would be tolerant and reasonable with those who hold a contrary view. I would like to see liberalism redefined as intolerant of other people's views. There is fear because of the situation mentioned by...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

John Gerard Hanafin: Being tolerant is something——

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

John Gerard Hanafin: I have. I would like to see in the debate people who are tolerant being allowed to express their own ethos and views without being forced to change them.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

John Gerard Hanafin: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Feb 2007)

John Gerard Hanafin: Occasionally, one wonders what effect the Order of Business debate might have. I am pleased to report that on a number of occasions last week we raised the issue of pricing in a particular location. Later that week, I saw that petrol prices had dropped by almost ten cent a litre, which is 45 cent per gallon. That was as a direct result of the good work that was done here last week.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Feb 2007)

John Gerard Hanafin: It has saved the consumer an amount of money. Long may that continue. I ask the Leader to arrange for a debate on the situation in the Middle East with particular emphasis on Iran. In the recent UN vote on the Holocaust, Iran was the only nation that refused to condemn what had happened because it does not recognise the Holocaust ever took place. The Iranian President makes dangerous...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Feb 2007)

John Gerard Hanafin: I ask the Leader to try to arrange a debate on rural transport. Elsewhere in Europe, people in rural areas live in villages to which farmers return in the evening. Ireland, however, has a unique rural settlement pattern of scattered housing in remote areas. It would be constructive to license people to provide a rural transport service so that people can go to villages for sports and...

Seanad: Consumer Protection Bill 2007: Second Stage (6 Feb 2007)

John Gerard Hanafin: I also welcome the Minister of State to the House and I welcome the Consumer Protection Bill. The idea of such legislation is fortuitous at this time. With so much money and affluence in the country, we must ensure people receive value for money, are not mislead and that even companies with a good track record are kept in line. We know €10 billion will come on stream through the special...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Feb 2007)

John Gerard Hanafin: I would like to support the Senators who have called for some measure to be taken against filling stations that charge in excess of prices available elsewhere. One could rightly say that people have a choice in where they can shop, but the filling station in question has a prime location. It charges 38 cent per litre or €1.72 per gallon more than other filling stations. Per barrel, that...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Dec 2006)

John Gerard Hanafin: I ask the Leader to invite the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs with responsibility for European affairs, Deputy Treacy, to the House in the new year to discuss a developing situation. In the last year, when Russia increased gas prices and cut off the supply to the Ukraine, the rest of Europe suffered. Poland and Russia are in dispute. Poland is asking the European...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2006)

John Gerard Hanafin: I ask the Leader for a debate on the subvention for private rented accommodation, particularly on the trend to increase rents not only by the amount of inflation but also that of mortgage increases. Many people depend on the subvention and are on the maximum rent supplement. While it is outside our control, we should note and debate it as it could become a difficulty. We must ensure those...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Dec 2006)

John Gerard Hanafin: I share the call for a debate on the cost of nursing homes and the future plans in this area. This Government has a fine tradition of providing for the future, as the National Treasury Management Agency encourages people to take out pensions. Two major costs most people encounter during their lives are school fees and long-term nursing home care. It is possible, through long-term and ultra...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2006)

John Gerard Hanafin: I support my colleagues' call for a debate on landmines. We have seen the terrible effects of landmines in particular areas many decades after wars have ceased there. It is time for landmines, like chemical and biological weapons, to become unacceptable and be banned. The budget was an excellent, fair and balanced budget which looked after all sectors. However, it demonstrates clearly a...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2006)

John Gerard Hanafin: Senator Ryan rightly mentioned media coverage of debate in this House and that every Member is entitled to coverage. The Irish Times journalist in the House gives adequate and full coverage to all, but the newspaper management is slow to print some of what is covered and only prints what it wants.