Results 861-880 of 891 for speaker:John Minihan

Seanad: Budget Statement: Motion. (4 Dec 2002)

John Minihan: I hope he pays tax on that cash.

Seanad: Budget Statement: Motion. (4 Dec 2002)

John Minihan: He stayed on the bike.

Seanad: Budget Statement: Motion. (4 Dec 2002)

John Minihan: A key point which has been yet again overlooked by the Opposition is the fact that gross current spending will rise by 8.7%, or an extra €3 billion, for public services. Evidently, that is of no interest. My party's manifesto, Managing the Economy, clearly stated the principle that there must be no borrowing to fund current spending, that the general Government balance – in line with our...

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Dec 2002)

John Minihan: I too support the call by Senator Ormonde for a debate on An Bord Pleanála and the planning issue. I raised this on the Order of Business two weeks ago. I emphasise again that the co-relationship between local authority planning decisions, inspectors from An Bord Pleanála and the ultimate decision of the board leaves much to be desired. It is all over the place and we have to get it right....

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Nov 2002)

John Minihan: I raise a recent report by the skills and initiative unit of the Department of Education and Science on the transition year at second level. Many people have been concerned for some time about whether it is working, reaching its ideals or achieving what it was designed to do. This report indicates that it is not and that it should be revisited.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Nov 2002)

John Minihan: I look forward to a similar 15 minute contribution. I refer to the issue of flooding and the relief made available to be administered by the Red Cross in counties Meath and Dublin. There has been serious flooding in Cork. The relief needs to be extended equally throughout the country. There has been severe flooding in Togher and Blackpool and companies have been put out of business. We must...

Seanad: Overseas Development Aid: Motion. (27 Nov 2002)

John Minihan: I compliment Senator Henry and the Independent group on tabling this motion about which we cannot speak enough. It is an issue we must continuously highlight. Unlike the previous speaker, I do not want to play politics with this issue but there are a few points that should be addressed. In the recent Estimates, we sustained our aid budget, notwithstanding, the difficult budgetary...

Seanad: Overseas Development Aid: Motion. (27 Nov 2002)

John Minihan: Senator Bradford should read the transcript of what was said.

Seanad: Northern Ireland: Statements. (20 Nov 2002)

John Minihan: I too welcome the Taoiseach. I congratulate him and his Government colleagues on their efforts to date in the peace process. I wish him well in the crucial months ahead. On behalf of the Progressive Democrats, I congratulate Senator Maurice Hayes on his appointment and I wish him well. The Good Friday Agreement was a milestone for this country in the search for peace. There is equally no...

Seanad: Northern Ireland: Statements. (20 Nov 2002)

John Minihan: It is about time Sinn Féin and its counterparts issued the P45 to paramilitary organisations.

Seanad: Northern Ireland: Statements. (20 Nov 2002)

John Minihan: It must dissociate from them. If we want to go forward, we can only do so by addressing these issues. We must stop pussyfooting about it, put this peace process back on track and get the momentum moving again. I wish the Taoiseach well in a very onerous task. He carries huge responsibilities for us all. In saying what I have said, I do not detract from the tremendous work that has been done...

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Nov 2002)

John Minihan: I will send all the Senators membership forms.

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Nov 2002)

John Minihan: I think there is a call for a tribunal to investigate that.

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Nov 2002)

John Minihan: I would like to comment briefly on that.

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Nov 2002)

John Minihan: An amendment has been moved. I would like to make a brief comment.

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Nov 2002)

John Minihan: I do not want to have a debate. I only want to briefly explain that No. 1 deals with freight, certain passenger lines and related transport matters. We can have a general discussion on the port tunnel as part of our debate on No.1. However, the motion we have tabled is serious and it warrants a debate when the Minister is present to answer the questions we pose.

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Nov 2002)

John Minihan: The motion will not be moved now.

Seanad: Rail Services and Related Transport Matters: Statements. (14 Nov 2002)

John Minihan: I join previous speakers in welcoming the Minister to the Chamber to discuss this important issue. I congratulate him on the sprinting start he has made and hope it continues over the next number of years in order that the transformation needed in our public transport infrastructure is realised. Considerable investment has been made. Mainline track and signalling have been upgraded while new...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Nov 2002)

John Minihan: I do not often agree with Senator Ryan but I support his call for a debate on the building industry. The Leader should also ask the Minister for the Environment and Local Government to attend the House to debate the issue of planning, including the strategy adopted by local authorities in granting planning permission, the seeming breakdown in the production of inspectors' reports at An Bord...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Nov 2002)

John Minihan: I would not be prepared to support Senator Coghlan's request to the Leader until he produces a full report from Deputy Lowry, a former member of his party, who may have more information than is available to this House.