Results 6,781-6,800 of 7,604 for speaker:James Bannon

Seanad: Electronic Voting: Statements. (11 Feb 2004)

James Bannon: We can.

Seanad: Electronic Voting: Statements. (11 Feb 2004)

James Bannon: Because we cannot trust the Senator's party.

Seanad: Electronic Voting: Statements. (11 Feb 2004)

James Bannon: I welcome the Minister of State. I detected in his voice an element of insecurity about the new e-voting system.

Seanad: Electronic Voting: Statements. (11 Feb 2004)

James Bannon: It was evident during his speech that he was not au fait with the system. I felt he was rushed in at the last moment by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to take these statements. However, I welcome him.

Seanad: Electronic Voting: Statements. (11 Feb 2004)

James Bannon: I always found the Minister of State to have a good grasp of local and national government. I regret that he is in the passenger seat rather than the driving seat, but it is to be hoped his time will come. With Ireland holding its own at the top level of the European information technology sector, the introduction of electronic voting is to be welcomed as a logical and essential way forward....

Seanad: Electronic Voting: Statements. (11 Feb 2004)

James Bannon: The Government has claimed that a paper printout would be too expensive. We have even been told that a printout would be unconstitutional. Perhaps, it would be too accountable for the Government. According to The Economist, the US is having ongoing problems with its touch-screen electronic voting system. Experts have highlighted the dangers of using a paper free system which does not provide...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Feb 2004)

James Bannon: Will the Leader invite the Minister for Transport to the House for a debate on the most recent report on driving test delays? As Members will be aware, the average waiting time throughout the State is 32 weeks. In some centres, people have to wait more than 12 months for a driving test.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Feb 2004)

James Bannon: This is costing many young people their jobs and is coming from a Minister who promised reform of the driving test system more than five months ago. It is time for the Minister to cop on——

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Feb 2004)

James Bannon: ——and put his actions where his mouth is.

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Feb 2004)

James Bannon: Last October or November, I called for a debate regarding the publication of the BMW mid-term evaluation report as I was extremely concerned with the slow uptake of funding with regard to the protection of the environment. Today, with the publication of the Environmental Protection Agency water quality report, I have serious concerns as to why funding was not taken up at the time. Smaller...

Seanad: Equality Bill 2004: Second Stage. (4 Feb 2004)

James Bannon: I welcome the Minister of State. This Bill, which amends the Employment Equality Act 1998 and the Equal Status Act 2000, which in turn amended the 1998 Act, is in line with the need to keep equality legislation under constant review. It is regrettable that it took pressure from the EU to bring forward the legislation. There is much in the legislation that I welcome. The current law as it...

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Feb 2004)

James Bannon: Was it Albert?

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Feb 2004)

James Bannon: I support my colleague, Senator Brian Hayes, and others who raised the issue of electronic voting. The Minister needs to make a statement on this because he has ignored expert advice. There is great concern among the public and in local authorities following demonstrations to officials. It is important we address this matter before it is too late. I call on the Minister for Health and...

Seanad: Recognition of the Irish Language: Motion. (21 Jan 2004)

James Bannon: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. The motion can be summed up in one concept, that of identity. On one hand we have our national identity, an innate sense of being Irish, and on the other there is our collective identity as part of the European Union. While the emblem of any nation's identity is its flag, its distinct and separate identity is its language. For many centuries the Irish language...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Jan 2004)

James Bannon: I welcome the Leader back to the constituency of Longford-Westmeath.

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Jan 2004)

James Bannon: I hope she will not spread her wings too far outside Athlone.

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Jan 2004)

James Bannon: Will the Leader invite the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to the House for a serious debate on incineration? It is time for the Government to be serious about waste management and the protection of the environment.

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Jan 2004)

James Bannon: The people need clarity. The Minister for Health and Children is advocating a ban on smoking in public establishments in the interests of health and safety while the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government appears to be committed to managing waste by way of incineration rather than by reducing, minimising and recycling. He is taking the lazy option that will affect the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Jan 2004)

James Bannon: He should withdraw his disgraceful and dishonest remarks about public representatives.

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Jan 2004)

James Bannon: I am here.