Results 121-140 of 996 for speaker:John Gerard Hanafin

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jun 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: Whereas we want excellent relations, our sovereignty must be respected. Our passports need to be respected by these countries with which we wish to have excellent relations. In recent weeks, there was a request in this Chamber for an apology for the economic situation. An explanation was given and the Minister for Finance and the Taoiseach dealt with the matter in an open and transparent...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jun 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: Like other Senators I ask for a debate on freedom of conscience. I am cognisant that there have been question marks over the hierarchy of a couple of churches speaking out on the issue. It is incredible that in this day and age people would not understand that not only does the hierarchy have a right to speak out but the hierarchy of the churches has a duty to speak out on the gospels....

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: It is appropriate that we welcome the proposed visit of the British Queen. It shows a maturity in the nation-----

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: -----and it has happened at just the right time in light of the Saville report and a new beginning. During the visit there will be an interest in seeing how the horse racing fraternity does its business in Ireland. I hope a trip to Coolmore might be included. It just happens to be in Tipperary.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: It will be a sign of maturity if the visit goes ahead and it is about time. On the call for a debate on the economy, for fear that history will be rewritten, the calls made week in and week out by the Opposition for extra spending - not on one area but in every Department - during the run-up to 2007 show it really did not believe the good times were coming to an end.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Jun 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: I would also welcome an external review of the Department of Finance and the processes of decision making. However, I am very cognisant of the context in which the decision was taken. In 2004 The Economist had an article with the housing bubble depicted as a balloon, which was right because three years later it burst. We were told internationally, by no less a person than Alan Greenspan of...

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (22 Jun 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: I was fortunate to have known the late Peter Callanan for 24 years. When I first arrived in the Innishannon area in 1986, I rang home and excitedly told my family I had met a local councillor. My father quickly responded that he had known Peter Callanan for much longer than I had and was good friends with him, although I believe he was waiting for me to make that call. I was pleased to have...

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Jun 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: Individual Members, Governments and parties come and go from the Houses. States and unions also come and go. Last week several Members objected to the churches speaking out on matters in respect of which they have competency and in which they have an interest. Not only do the churches have a right to speak out on such matters, they also have a duty to do so. The issue on which the...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (17 Jun 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: First, when the new State was founded we took over at parliamentary level many of the procedures that stood in Westminster, some of which stood from when Queen Victoria was a teenager. I refer to strict parliamentary voting. When an issue of conscious arises and where it does not affect the standing of the Government I believe strong consideration should be given to allowing people to vote...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Jun 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: Like all Senators who have discussed the Saville inquiry, I welcome the results and look forward to the debate. There is no doubt that the truth sets us all free. As a result of the humble and accurate way the British Prime Minister spoke yesterday, in a mature way it will improve relations between the two sovereign states, and it has done a lot of good in terms of healing an open wound....

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jun 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: Today is an important day in Ireland's history because we will have an opportunity again to read in the Saville report whether the innocent people who were on a civil rights march and who were shot dead in Derry 26 years ago will finally be vindicated. It is not a matter of one side triumphing over the other, as that should be the last thing on our minds, but the truth must come out so that...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (3 Jun 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: I understand the precedent but it would not be correct of me as a student of history not to note with great pleasure and joy that Dr. Paisley and his lady wife are in the Distinguished Visitors Gallery. It is indeed a historic occasion. I call for a debate on the matter raised by Senators Ó Murchú and Walsh on the rights of people who will find themselves in extreme and difficult...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Jun 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on offshore drilling. We have a second instance of the impossible happening with the appearance of a very large oil slick in the Gulf of Mexico. Any of us who has been to the area is aware of the beauty of that environment. It is sad fact that many thousands of barrels of oil are leaking into the gulf. We were told this could not happen and that there...

Seanad: Whistleblowing in the Financial Sector: Statements (2 Jun 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: We appear to have two economies. We have the real economy and the financial economy. The real economy has been making significant progress in recent years. This week, an editorial in The Wall Street Journal complimented Ireland on the manner in which it was managing its economy and achieving necessary savings without the difficulties experienced in other countries such as the riots in...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Jun 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: I share in all the comments that have been made concerning the horrendous attack on a humanitarian aid flotilla in international waters. Having heard the explanations and the well-packaged public relations from the Israeli side about what happened in Gaza, I am cognisant of what has happened to the flotilla. This time, I am not going to accept it. As a member of the Joint Committee on...

Seanad: Euro Area Loan Facility Bill 2010: Second Stage (20 May 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: I welcome the Minister. We are fortunate that there is a contrast between the situation in Athens and Dublin. The Government in Dublin took action quickly. We saw the difficulties confronting us, took action immediately and promptly and were open and transparent in the way we did our business. That is reflected in how the economy is now in a position and seen as such by our European...

Seanad: Euro Area Loan Facility Bill 2010: Second Stage (20 May 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: In conclusion, we have faced difficulties but we faced up to our difficulties. I am glad we are in a position to support the Greeks. What they can learn from us is social solidarity, to move forward together. Let everybody see that there are no golden circles, that everybody who is responsible and everybody who is involved will pay equally. That is their way forward, the same as it is the...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 May 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: I apologise that I was not present when the Cathaoirleach called me earlier. I had gone to collect notes for the euro debate. I ask the Leader for a debate on ways and methods that we in this House could promote holidays at home, in particular by giving example. There are a number of reasons for holidaying at home, the main one being to support home industry. There will be some wonderful...

Seanad: Construction Contracts Bill 2010: Second Stage (19 May 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: I wish to share time with Senators Brady and Mooney. I thank Senator Quinn because a suitable construction contracts Bill will be introduced within the term specified and not before time. During the boom times certain subcontractors had to wait or did not receive payments, sometimes for reasons that were not proper. Notwithstanding this, now that we are experiencing more difficult times,...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 May 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: In light of the fact that the Civil Partnership Bill 2009 will soon be before the House, will the Leader allow for a debate on the need for a referendum on this issue? It is almost certain that, should the Bill be passed, it will be challenged in the courts. I want to take the opportunity now to show the Judiciary, who watch what we undertake here, that there was no stomach for a referendum...