Results 821-840 of 891 for speaker:John Minihan

Seanad: Health Services: Motion. (26 Feb 2003)

John Minihan: So the Senator agrees with our motion.

Seanad: Health Services: Motion. (26 Feb 2003)

John Minihan: I thank the Senators who contributed to the debate. On behalf of the Progressive Democrats, who put down this motion, I am delighted with the Minister's response and that he has directly addressed the spirit of our motion. I hope we have contributed somewhat to the reform of the health services that is so badly needed.

Seanad: Health Services: Motion. (26 Feb 2003)

John Minihan: We have had six consecutive Government speakers without any contribution from the Opposition. The Opposition made some remarks about our prepared scripts, but the difference between us and them is that we did prepare.

Seanad: Health Services: Motion. (26 Feb 2003)

John Minihan: We do not come from the Fine Gael crèche of unprepared scripts.

Seanad: Health Services: Motion. (26 Feb 2003)

John Minihan: The reality is that they are here with no prepared scripts. We expected them—

Seanad: Health Services: Motion. (26 Feb 2003)

John Minihan: I expected at least that they would bring out their party's manifesto on health but they seem to have lost that now as well. The reality is that both Fine Gael and the Labour Party are bereft of any health policy whatsoever.

Seanad: Health Services: Motion. (26 Feb 2003)

John Minihan: It is a pity Senator Cummins did not read it before he came in. He might have had something to say. If Senator Bannon were here, I would remind him of the lecture he gave us on etiquette, having spent the previous ten minutes interrupting everybody who was speaking. That was his contribution on the health service. The Labour Party view was expressed by Senator McCarthy. He told us that we...

Seanad: Health Services: Motion. (26 Feb 2003)

John Minihan: Thankfully in order to keep this debate going our colleagues in Government were able to support the motion. We were able to achieve what we set out to achieve by obtaining a commitment from the Minister that will bring about the necessary management changes and accountability changes required to bring forward our health service. I hope that next time a serious Private Members' motion is...

Seanad: Health Services: Motion. (26 Feb 2003)

John Minihan: We got none. That is a non-prepared script, a reflection of the Opposition's contribution this evening. I thank the Senators on the Government side for their contributions and I thank the Chair for his patience over the past few minutes. Amendment put. Tá

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Defence Forces Property. (26 Feb 2003)

John Minihan: I thank the Minister for coming before the House to take this matter on the Adjournment.

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Feb 2003)

John Minihan: On a number of occasions in this House I have raised the issue of Cork School of Music. Given that the preferred bidder was selected as long ago as January 2001 and we are still no nearer a final decision despite assurances in this House, I ask the Leader at this late stage to appeal to the Taoiseach to move the matter forward and free the logjam in the Department of Finance with regard to...

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Feb 2003)

John Minihan: We should be grateful.

Seanad: Criminal Law (Insanity) Bill 2002: Second Stage. (19 Feb 2003)

John Minihan: I join previous speakers in welcoming the Minister and congratulating him, yet again, on bringing forward legislation. The amount of legislation the Minister has before both Houses is a reflection of his commitment to his new position. When one hears we are amending and repealing laws going back some time, and this legislation has been around since 1978, it is of some concern that we have...

Seanad: Finance and Related Matters: Statements. (18 Feb 2003)

John Minihan: I am sorry to interrupt Senator O'Toole in full flow but I am sure he will have another opportunity to make his views known. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, to the House for this debate. People often find it difficult to be positive and upbeat about their circumstances. This is as true in relation to fiscal, financial and economic policies as it is in relation to any other...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Feb 2003)

John Minihan: I join previous speakers in calling for a debate on planning, which I have requested on a number of occasions. Such a debate should concentrate on the inconsistencies between local authority planning officials, inspectors from An Bord Pleanála and the board itself. Planning decisions are turning the planning system into a lottery. Instead of playing six numbers, people are making six...

Seanad: Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) Bill 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (11 Feb 2003)

John Minihan: I do not support the amendment. We must be realistic in making a clear distinction between governance and management. The Government governs and those employed as directors general manage. They have a responsibility to work towards Government policy. If they have difficulties with Government policy, they have ample opportunity to influence that policy at the meeting that would take place. We...

Seanad: Iraq Crisis: Statements (Resumed). (6 Feb 2003)

John Minihan: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and the opportunity to debate the situation unfolding in Iraq. It is timely we should do so because we have responsibilities we must face up to. We must creep out from some of the hypocritical rhetoric being promulgated in the name of the Irish people. I am not a warmonger, do not advocate war at all costs and support pursuing every possible avenue...

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Feb 2003)

John Minihan: I join in the calls for a debate on the full fiscal projections for the year ahead. It is timely. Given the closures last year and some of the outrageous predictions made, it would be no harm to bring a sense of balance to this debate and spread it out evenly over a 12 month period. As public representatives, we have a contribution to make in that area. A debate on crime would be welcome. If...

Seanad: Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) Bill 2002: Second Stage. (5 Feb 2003)

John Minihan: I thank the Minister for giving me the privilege to be in a position to welcome her to the House.

Seanad: Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) Bill 2002: Second Stage. (5 Feb 2003)

John Minihan: A recent European study on innovation showed that 78% of sales in the information technology sector were based on products that were less than two years old. Companies such as Siemens state that over 50% of their sales are based on products that are less than five years old. This rate of change is a result of five main external pressures, including technology, economic development,...