Results 741-760 of 996 for speaker:John Gerard Hanafin

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Jun 2006)

John Gerard Hanafin: I would welcome a debate on bullying which would be most useful. This is a serious problem that requires urgent attention. However, I hope we would approach it in a logical, reasonable and objective manner. Any other approach would be most unhelpful. I also note that the European Parliament has given funding for embryonic stem cell research and I request a debate on this issue. Embryonic stem...

Seanad: Employment Permits Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (31 May 2006)

John Gerard Hanafin: I thank the Minister for attending the House and for expediting this legislation.

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 May 2006)

John Gerard Hanafin: I share the view that we need legislation very quickly. However, as a very inadequate student in the Kings Inns for the past two years, I would not dare to go into the detail of the legal course of action undertaken. It has been suggested that the DPP put certain cases forward ahead of others. I understand the DPP would have had no choice but to take these cases first because an order of...

Seanad: Migration Report: Statements. (11 May 2006)

John Gerard Hanafin: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I also welcome the report of the Joint Committee on European Affairs on migration. The background of the committee's report concerns the wider questions of immigration and integration, and not just economic integration. The committee acknowledges that the Government decision of 2003 to allow access to the labour market to workers from the new...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 May 2006)

John Gerard Hanafin: I join other Members in their call for a debate on energy, especially on foot of the apology made by the managing director of Shell, which was a good start. In the wider context, while I am not personally in favour of the nuclear energy option, it is interesting to note that Ukraine, in which Chernobyl is situated, is considering an increase in its number of nuclear reactors. Hence, this...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (10 May 2006)

John Gerard Hanafin: Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil don Seanadóir as ucht an cheist a ardú. I am familiar with the case of Glenswilly national school since Deputy Keaveney also raised the matter with me. If I were Senator McHugh, I am not sure I would be highlighting the fact the school first applied for its extension in 1992, given that his party was in Government since then. The project did not progress...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (10 May 2006)

John Gerard Hanafin: I thank Senator Ulick Burke for raising the issue of St. Catherine's national school, Aughrim. It is another area that is experiencing the rapid population growth which is putting pressure on many schools throughout the country to respond to increasing enrolments, the consequent increase in teachers and added pressures as a result of positive policies. Last year 600 resource and support...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (10 May 2006)

John Gerard Hanafin: After the band 1 schools.

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 May 2006)

John Gerard Hanafin: I join my colleagues in calling on ComReg, the Government and the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources to ensure that those who rely on the radio for their church services can continue to have access to them. If a ministerial order is required, one should be passed quickly. In many aspects of Irish life, where there is a public or charitable benefit accruing from a...

Seanad: National Pensions Reserve Fund: Motion. (3 May 2006)

John Gerard Hanafin: I second the motion and welcome the Minister to the House. The National Pensions Reserve Fund is not a particularly political issue. However, I remember the quotes from the year when the fund did not perform to standard. The Opposition spokesperson stated that the "discovery that €1 billion of the €8 billion invested in the National Pensions Reserve Fund over the past two years, has been...

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 May 2006)

John Gerard Hanafin: In light of the fact that the price of a barrel of oil has increased beyond $74 and that supply difficulties have arisen due to uncertainties in Iran and Iraq and the nationalisation by Bolivia of its energy sector, can the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources attend this House to discuss our dependence on imported oil and the policies which can be put in place to prevent...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Apr 2006)

John Gerard Hanafin: I join in the calls for a debate on the nuclear industry. Yesterday marked the 20th anniversary of the Chernobyl incident, which answered the question concerning the probability of the impossible occurring. We were told such an event was impossible, yet it happened. Whether we like it or not, we live in a nuclear zone. We should bear in mind the fact that Dublin is a lot nearer to some of the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Apr 2006)

John Gerard Hanafin: Is it not time for us to ask some public bodies to think outside the box? They could contact the direct-mail companies which are getting letters back stating there is nobody of that name at an address. Such a list could be used to remove people's names from the electoral register.

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Apr 2006)

John Gerard Hanafin: Senator Maurice Hayes is correct. I also believe that advertising for religious purposes in broadcast media should be permitted. Such advertising is necessary in today's climate. This is because a deluge of information about misconduct and mistakes within religious institutions over 60 years has rightly been divulged over the past few years. Young people, who are very impressionable, might...

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Apr 2006)

John Gerard Hanafin: I also welcome the IMC report. However, I noted with alarm the fact that a young man who had driven through a checkpoint in County Down was shot dead over Easter. Such a response is not appropriate in peacetime when there are alternative responses available, such as slowly bursting the tires of cars so as not to endanger anyone. It is sad to see a young man die in peacetime for the sake of a...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Apr 2006)

John Gerard Hanafin: I join the call for a debate on the privatisation of Aer Lingus, particularly in light of the fact that France, which is at the heart of the European social economic model, privatised Air France and retained a key share. When commentators look back at previous privatisations, they should be fair. On the occasion of the Eircom privatisation, investors did not make as much as they had done when...

Seanad: Irish Language: Motion. (5 Apr 2006)

John Gerard Hanafin: Or neither.

Seanad: Irish Language: Motion. (5 Apr 2006)

John Gerard Hanafin: Nobody is arguing with that.

Seanad: Irish Language: Motion. (5 Apr 2006)

John Gerard Hanafin: Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a gabháil leis na Seanadóirí uilig as ucht an díospóireacht seo a bheith ar siúl againn inniu. Tuigim go maith go bhfuil suim dháiríre ag na Seanadóirí ar fad sa Teach seo sa Ghaeilge, mar go bhfuil díospóireacht láidir ar siúl. Tá tuairimí maithe acu faoin dteanga, mar atá acu i leith chúrsaí oideachais go ginearálta. Is trua é gur ábhar...

Seanad: Irish Language: Motion. (5 Apr 2006)

John Gerard Hanafin: No.