Results 61-80 of 891 for speaker:John Minihan

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Feb 2007)

John Minihan: I refer to the danger of a major slump in the Cork area as a result of today's announcement regarding Cork Airport. I endorse Senator McCarthy's comments in this regard. It is unacceptable in the context of the commitment made by the former Minister for Transport, Deputy Brennan, that Cork Airport would be debt-free. That commitment was clearly made. In response to an Adjournment debate...

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (13 Feb 2007)

John Minihan: I echo the comments of the preceding speakers on congratulating the Minister and his officials on bringing forward this Bill. It is worth noting that the military authorities themselves took the initiative to bring their own legal system into line with best international practices. They are to be congratulated in this regard. It is rare that we have defence legislation in the House and I...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Feb 2007)

John Minihan: It will conclude at 8.30 p.m.

Seanad: Defence (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2006: Second Stage (6 Feb 2007)

John Minihan: I join other speakers in welcoming the Minister and his officials to the House. I welcome the Bill. In recent years, we had many changes in our Defence Forces with the modernisation of equipment, training and facilities. It is only right and proper that we also have the modernisation of the legal system. Military law is a distinct legal system to which members of the Defence Forces are...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Dec 2006)

John Minihan: That is absolutely right.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Dec 2006)

John Minihan: That is not true.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Nov 2006)

John Minihan: Senator Coghlan, having initially put himself forward as the new Kerry football team manager, raised the issue of the joint committee report on collusion.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Nov 2006)

John Minihan: The issue was also raised by Senators O'Toole, Ryan, Ó Murchú, Mansergh, Norris, Jim Walsh, Bannon and Cummins. The consensus of the House is a debate should be held as soon as possible which I will endeavour to facilitate, although given the time remaining before the Christmas recess, I cannot guarantee this. Senator Coghlan also asked about the Defamation Bill 2006 and the Privacy Bill...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Nov 2006)

John Minihan: Senator O'Toole referred to Seán Ryan and the redress board and his comments about non-co-operation on the part of the Christian Brothers. I will bring the matter to the attention of the Minister for Education and Science. Senator Ryan asked why motion No. 20 remained on the Order Paper. The Article 35 committee placed a report before both Houses of the Oireachtas on 14 November. The...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Nov 2006)

John Minihan: I am addressing the issues in sequence. We can debate and differ in our views but it is not helpful to make accusations such as these.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Nov 2006)

John Minihan: Senator Ryan raised valid points about the transfer of data and US banks which I will bring to the attention of the Minister for Finance. I fully support Senator Ryan's views on Cork Airport's debt. We may differ on the break-up of Aer Rianta and similar issues but we both know, as Cork representatives, that the issue of addressing the debt is hanging over the future development of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Nov 2006)

John Minihan: I accept the point concerning part-time farmers in second jobs. Senator Scanlon addressed the matter well vis-À-vis red tape. The Minister made a commitment regarding the working group on pre-nuptial agreements. While I do not know the answer to the question on the group's establishment, I will endeavour to find out. I hope it is not delaying any of the Senator's personal plans.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Nov 2006)

John Minihan: We will endeavour to find the answer in order that the Senator can make a decision at Christmas.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Nov 2006)

John Minihan: The Order of Business is No. 1, Statements on Further and Adult Education, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business and to conclude not later than 1.30 p.m., with the contributions of spokespersons not to exceed 12 minutes, those of all other Senators not to exceed eight minutes and the Minister to be called upon to reply not later than ten minutes before the conclusion of...

Seanad: Tax Code: Motion (29 Nov 2006)

John Minihan: About what is the Senator talking?

Seanad: Tax Code: Motion (29 Nov 2006)

John Minihan: It took 80 years to reform the Garda.

Seanad: Tax Code: Motion (29 Nov 2006)

John Minihan: I welcome the Minister of State and his officials to the House and congratulate the Fine Gael Party, despite its pointless call to hear the budget a week early, for continuing to belatedly row in behind the Progressive Democrats and call for stamp duty reform.

Seanad: Tax Code: Motion (29 Nov 2006)

John Minihan: Proposals on stamp duty reform were put forward by the Progressive Democrats, and other parties, despite their initial jitters on the subject, have entered the debate. Following our considerations in September, stamp duty reform became an issue of political prominence and reductions in tax for low to middle income earners remain a priority for my party as we prepare for the next general...

Seanad: Tax Code: Motion (29 Nov 2006)

John Minihan: It is somewhat confusing as to who agrees with who on what changes should be made. According to Senator Mansergh in a recent debate on the Estimates, it appears that Fianna Fáil agrees with the Labour Party's suggestion.

Seanad: Tax Code: Motion (29 Nov 2006)

John Minihan: Not for the first time, the Green Party agrees with nobody and nobody seems to agree it. Nobody understands the Shavian proposals and perhaps not even itself. How galling it must be for Fine Gael to find itself agreeing with the policy of the Progressive Democrats, although it may be late in the day.