Results 921-940 of 996 for speaker:John Gerard Hanafin

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Dec 2003)

John Gerard Hanafin: I join with Senators who called for a debate on Northern Ireland. Will the Leader arrange a debate on Iraq? As one who believed there were weapons of mass destruction, and a clear and immediate danger, I would like to hear the views of the House on Iraq and on how we move forward. I am conscious that the flag is flying at half mast today in honour of and respect for a soldier who died on UN...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Dec 2003)

John Gerard Hanafin: It is relevant. The Economist printed details on Ireland and it is the highest exporting country per capita in the world. It is the third wealthiest country in Europe—

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Dec 2003)

John Gerard Hanafin: —per GDP.

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Dec 2003)

John Gerard Hanafin: Ireland's GDP this year is €173 billion thanks to Fianna Fáil's policies down through the years.

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Nov 2003)

John Gerard Hanafin: I am seeking a debate on credit institutions. The Central Bank has recognised a practice where these credit institutions allow young people to borrow large amounts using one-off bonuses that may or may not continue over time. This means the people in question are extending themselves far beyond what they would normally undertake in light of the low interest rates. However, due to the breach...

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Nov 2003)

John Gerard Hanafin: I noted the call for a vote on the actions of the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment tomorrow. (Interruptions).

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Nov 2003)

John Gerard Hanafin: I remind the House that we had a vote on this issue in 1983 which is incorporated in the Constitution as Article 40.3.3.

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Nov 2003)

John Gerard Hanafin: It was to protect the right of the unborn and to defend and vindicate that right. I wish to reply to Senator Brendan Ryan—

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Nov 2003)

John Gerard Hanafin: My suggestion to the Leader is that nobody has done more than Fianna Fáil to help the elderly and the young in this country and those who are less well off and the current Minister has made strident efforts for the elderly and young people. Nobody has given more. In Labour's time—

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Nov 2003)

John Gerard Hanafin: I share Senator Brian Hayes's view that this House does not get the coverage it deserves. We had a very good debate here yesterday with different views expressed from all sides. The debate involved a lot of effort in understanding embryonic stem cell research, including the different phrases and words used, such as "pluripotent", "totipotent", "chimera", "mosaicism" and "neonatal" stem cells....

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 Nov 2003)

John Gerard Hanafin: I join other speakers in thanking the Leader for the opportunity to debate stem cell research. I urge the Tánaiste to consider the views of the Oireachtas committee, the House and, more importantly, the constitutional position, in addition to the views of the Medical Council.

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 Nov 2003)

John Gerard Hanafin: I thank the Cathaoirleach.

Seanad: Stem Cell Research: Statements. (19 Nov 2003)

John Gerard Hanafin: I welcome the Minister to the House. This is not a debate on the benefits of stem cell research or how we should proceed with it, rather it is concerned with whether we should proceed with funding embryonic stem cell research. The proposal on embryonic stem cell research, COM 2003/390, recently came before the Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business. It was rejected by Members from...

Seanad: Stem Cell Research: Statements. (19 Nov 2003)

John Gerard Hanafin: On a point of order, I wish to clarify my comments about the Catholic University of Louvain. Anyone who was listening would have realised that my comments referred only to any misrepresentation of the word "Catholic" in the university's name. Nothing else was meant. No reference was made to the work of the university and there was no attempt to take anything from it. I set out to indicate...

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Nov 2003)

John Gerard Hanafin: Two Senators have called for a debate on stem cell research and I agree with this. Senator Ryan mentioned the Oireachtas having an input into decisions made in Europe. This is important, particularly in the question of embryonic stem cell research and EU proposal 2003/390/EC, which deals with funding requests. The Oireachtas committee made a decision that has received unanimous support from...

Seanad: Courts and Court Officers (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second and Subsequent Stages. - National Drugs Strategy: Motion. (12 Nov 2003)

John Gerard Hanafin: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I will address specifically the issue of community employment schemes. The marginal additional cost of such schemes – 10% compared to unemployment assistance – is insignificant in terms of the benefits accruing to the community from them, notwithstanding that an individual who loses a place on a scheme may find himself on unemployment...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Nov 2003)

John Gerard Hanafin: I support Senator Maurice Hayes's call for a debate on neutrality. It is poignant that today is the 85th anniversary of the end of the First World War. Armistice Day in 1918 was a wonderful occasion, especially in Ireland because this country had sent many of its young men to fight German imperialism in Europe while at home, and against one of the largest empires the world had ever seen, the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Nov 2003)

John Gerard Hanafin: I would welcome the opportunity to debate stem cell research although it is not a subject that makes people jump out of bed early in the morning to run down to the breakfast table and chat with the family about. Notwithstanding this, it is a very important issue and one about which there is much misunderstanding and misrepresentation. Today's issue of the Irish Independent at best...

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Nov 2003)

John Gerard Hanafin: I thank the Leader for all the work she has done, the opportunities she has given the House to meet and speak with Ministers and the efforts she is making on our behalf.

Seanad: Order of Business. (15 Oct 2003)

John Gerard Hanafin: I join the call for a debate on the Middle East as someone who would have freely voted for George Bush – I would be in a minority in the House in that regard – if given the opportunity. It is disquieting, having accepted the view that there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, to find there are apparently no such weapons. This leads to a situation where we should debate Ireland's...