Results 101-120 of 996 for speaker:John Gerard Hanafin

Seanad: Credit Institutions (Eligible Liabilities Guarantee) (Amendment) Scheme 2010: Motion (Resumed) (29 Sep 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: I will be brief because I realise others are anxious to speak. I am conscious we have been asked why we criticise those who object to the scheme's extension. We were looking at a different situation two years ago. We did not know whether we would have a viable banking system in the morning. We sat all night and did our duty correctly. The debate showed a major fracture between the...

Seanad: Credit Institutions (Eligible Liabilities Guarantee) (Amendment) Scheme 2010: Motion (Resumed) (29 Sep 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: AIB has raised more than €1 billion. If Senator Twomey wishes to speak for Fianna Fáil, he should go ahead, but I am prepared to do so at the moment.

Seanad: Credit Institutions (Eligible Liabilities Guarantee) (Amendment) Scheme 2010: Motion (Resumed) (29 Sep 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: I will go through the list. AIB has raised more than €1 billion, Irish Life & Permanent has raised €379 million and EBS has received offers from five companies, with Americans prepared to pay up to €850 million to buy into it. Two other institutions are causing considerable difficulties and will see their assets transferred to the National Treasury Management Agency, NTMA. Tomorrow,...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jul 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: Earlier we received indications from ESRI representatives about what they believe might happen to the structural deficit. Its presentation as a fait accompli by the Opposition is typical. The reality is EUROSTAT decides what will happen, not the ESRI. It has been universally accepted, other than by the Opposition, that the way the economy has been managed is the best means of restoring...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jul 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: We came to a crossroads and took tough decisions on behalf of the nation. However, we are beginning to see the benefits. I welcome the announcement by Tesco of the creation of 750 jobs.

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Jul 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: Like all other Senators, I am shocked by the tragedy on the Inishowen Peninsula in which so many young lives were lost. It prompts the need for a full and thorough debate on where we are going on the issue of road safety. I am aware that the Taoiseach is in New York where he is doing a fine job in raising funds for the development of new technologies. With that in mind, I ask for a debate...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Jul 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: Along with my two colleagues, I support the amendment which would clearly define the difference between civil partnership and marriage. That is the crux of the issue we wish to put forward.

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (7 Jul 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: I share the views expressed by the Chair. I have every intention of speaking to the amendment which I second. Senator Walsh's proposal, although reasonable, was misrepresented. I do not like to hear of standards of conduct being imposed on other Senators to which others do not adhere in any way. I referred before to the intolerance of liberals and, sadly, this can be the case. If we wish...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (7 Jul 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: I agree with those Senators who express the view that the ideal situation is a loving and caring relationship for the child with a mother and a father. If that is a biological mother and father, then all the better, but if not, then it should be an adoptive mother and father because that is as nature has given it to us. Given that nature would have some interest in this matter, we should...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Second Stage (7 Jul 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: One of the benefits of speaking later in a debate is that one has an opportunity to listen to the views of earlier speakers. I hope to give Senator Alex White reasons some of us oppose sections of the Bill and have proposed amendments thereto. When one listens to other speakers one also hears inaccuracies. I know certain of the Senators present are pushing strongly for gay marriage in the...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Second Stage (7 Jul 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: Senator Norris looks for freedom of speech for people 6,000 km away or 600 km away and will not allow people to speak in the House. I ask to be allowed to speak uninterrupted.

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Second Stage (7 Jul 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: It is most difficult for people to act on their conscience at times, but they need to do it.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jul 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: It is important to start celebrating economic events. We should recognise that the ESB has acquired Northern Ireland Electricity which will create synergies and opportunities, North and South. It is important to discuss these flagship enterprises, take an interest in them and seek to ensure they develop to their full potential, especially in the light of the opportunities available in the...

Seanad: Central Bank Reform Bill 2010: Second Stage (6 Jul 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: I welcome the Minister. In supporting the Bill I am very cognisant of the fact that we will adodpt an integrated approach. I share the views of my colleagues who spoke about light touch regulation and the subsequent events which proved that this was not the correct way to proceed. Now that this has become apparent, we are proceeding on a different line. The purpose of the Bill is to...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Jul 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: The debate on the Civil Partnership Bill 2009 is due to take place in the House tomorrow and on Thursday. At this late stage, I request that the leader of the Green Party in the House should see to it that a free vote is allowed on the legislation. There is a mood among members of the public to the effect that there has not been full and frank debate on this matter. The lack of such a...

Seanad: European Financial Stability Facility Bill 2010: Motion for Earlier Signature (1 Jul 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: I move: That, pursuant to subsection 2° of section 2 of Article 25 of the Constitution, Seanad Éireann concurs with the Government in a request to the President to sign the European Financial Stability Facility Bill 2010 on a date which is earlier than the fifth day after the date on which the Bill shall have been presented to her.''.

Seanad: European Financial Stability Facility Bill 2010: Motion for Earlier Signature (1 Jul 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: Amárach ag 10.30 a.m.

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jul 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: Many people in a knee-jerk reaction just say that we need Seanad reform. Some of the ideas put forward were nothing short of hare-brained. We were told, for instance, that the Seanad elections would take place on the same day as the Dáil elections. How could we possible meet our electorate if they are out canvassing for votes? How could an electorate be asked to elect, say, 20 or 30...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jul 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: That is correct and I am asking the Leader to bring this up at the CPP. Specifically, if two years out from June 2012 it is like this, what will it be like over the next two years?

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jun 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: Again it appears that a foreign nation has used Irish passports to pass off citizens as respectable and law-abiding persons. The State wishes to have good relations with Israel and Russia, but we could not allow a situation to continue where Irish passports, which are universally accepted, would be abused in this manner. It is something of a caricature to have the spy Murphy using an Irish...