Results 141-160 of 891 for speaker:John Minihan

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Jun 2006)

John Minihan: Senator Ryan raised the issue that the country is confronted by a scandalous abuse of human rights. I want to raise another scandalous abuse of human rights. I have always argued that the killing of Detective Garda Jerry McCabe was intentional, calculated and cold-blooded.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Jun 2006)

John Minihan: Last night's programme on RTE confirmed this. Mr. Gerry Adams said the killing was wrong and the operation was sanctioned by an authorised person at a lower level, yet he refuses to name that authorised person. This morning on Radio Kerry, Deputy Ferris said he would not describe the killers of Jerry McCabe as criminals. He went on to say that he could not encourage anyone with information on...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (2 Jun 2006)

John Minihan: I welcome the Minister to the House. I congratulate him on the statements he made in recent days about how the State would lodge a very strong appeal today and the outcome of that appeal. I hope he may notice that the sun is shining outside because he has not seen it for the past few days. The Minister made clear that the circumstances that have brought us to this point are utterly...

Seanad: Public Hospital Land: Motion. (31 May 2006)

John Minihan: I second the amendment and welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Tim O'Malley to the House. I also thank the Tánaiste for her comments and her address to the House. In reaction to the Tánaiste's speech I offer Senator Browne the opportunity to amend or withdraw his motion.

Seanad: Public Hospital Land: Motion. (31 May 2006)

John Minihan: On that note I will continue.

Seanad: Public Hospital Land: Motion. (31 May 2006)

John Minihan: I am delighted that this subject is before us this evening. I was very disappointed in the motion moved by Fine Gael and the Labour Party. As the Tánaiste said, rarely has there been in this House such a poorly thought-out or worded motion. I do not know whether this is a result of Labour's influence on Fine Gael or the other way around but if this is the standard that is the result of the...

Seanad: Public Hospital Land: Motion. (31 May 2006)

John Minihan: ——the voters, and most importantly the patients will be rightly nervous about what is coming down the track. The wording of the motion denies the reality which is in fact known to Members opposite. Seldom does useful or quality work emanate from wilful self-delusion. This is no exception. The opening line of Senator Browne's motion refers to the giving away of public land to private...

Seanad: Public Hospital Land: Motion. (31 May 2006)

John Minihan: Although this was made crystal clear three weeks ago, Fine Gael does not want to let the facts get in the way of its agenda. It is sad that we cannot have a clear and realistic debate. The Opposition's motion deliberately gives the impression that land is being made available, with no strings attached to private developers. It is not. Even if the Opposition dosed not want to listen to me or...

Seanad: Public Hospital Land: Motion. (31 May 2006)

John Minihan: There we have the Fine Gael view. Not only are Fine Gael's new health ideas bad ideas, but as Deputy Olivia Mitchell's statement shows, it has totally abandoned any good ideas it had on health.

Seanad: Public Hospital Land: Motion. (31 May 2006)

John Minihan: l will conclude with the following questions. When, at the cost of the private sector, 105 additional public beds become available in Tallaght, will the local Fine Gael and Labour representatives object? Will they object when the 118 additional beds become available at Limerick regional hospital or when the additional 85 beds for public patients become available at Waterford regional...

Seanad: Public Hospital Land: Motion. (31 May 2006)

John Minihan: On a point of order, for the record, I spoke to no official from the Department of Health and Children nor was I handed any script by anyone from the Department. I ask for the Senator's suggestive comment to be withdrawn.

Seanad: Public Hospital Land: Motion. (31 May 2006)

John Minihan: It was a false accusation. I make no apologies for my preparation. If Fine Gael had prepared its motion, it would not be in the mess it is in now.

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 May 2006)

John Minihan: The ball that was on the television.

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 May 2006)

John Minihan: That is exactly what I was trying to say yesterday.

Seanad: Lone Parents: Statements. (23 May 2006)

John Minihan: I welcome the Minister and thank him for his address to the House. It is noteworthy that many of today's policy debates correctly place the emphasis on the target or beneficiary of the policy. Child-centred child care policies or patient-centred health care policies are two of the obvious examples. This debate focuses on the proposals for supporting lone parents. The real focus is the child...

Seanad: Death of Staff Member: Expressions of Sympathy. (23 May 2006)

John Minihan: I join with previous speakers in extending the sympathy of the Progressive Democrats to Breda Courtney's family and her work colleagues on her sudden death. A sudden death is a shock for everyone, but particularly for her family and those who worked closely with her. We all acknowledge the tremendous work done silently and efficiently by the parliamentary reporters in maintaining the records...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 May 2006)

John Minihan: I join with Senator Brian Hayes in congratulating the Garda Síochána and the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on the stance taken last week in difficult circumstances. The situation could have turned bad in a short period. Clear leadership and direction must be given in such situations in order to achieve a successful outcome. We should also acknowledge that our system for...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 May 2006)

John Minihan: It should also be acknowledged how much we have improved in processing such applications. There is always room for improvement, however, and if there are lessons to be learned from what occurred last week, then mechanisms should be put in place to ameliorate the situation. We are quick to condemn actions by various groups but we should congratulate the 60,000 Irish ambassadors who visited...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 May 2006)

John Minihan: They were ambassadors in their own right.

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 May 2006)

John Minihan: It was a unique occasion.