Results 141-160 of 996 for speaker:John Gerard Hanafin

Seanad: Order of Business (19 May 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: It is the most democratic means of deciding this issue.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 May 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: Sometimes it is like "The Muppet Show" in this House. Will the Leader examine the situation of pubs in rural areas? I am particularly cognisant of the fact that we have passed legislation introducing the smoking ban and reducing the blood-alcohol limit for drivers, which we are to reduce further. Pubs encounter difficulties at 11 p.m. and 12 p.m. in clearing their houses because of a...

Seanad: Public Service Agreement 2010-2014: Statements (13 May 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: Like all other speakers, I pay tribute to our fine public service on the quality of the service we receive and its achievements. It has been of benefit in growing the economy. There is a fine contrast between what is happening in other countries in Europe and what is happening in Ireland where one sees a balanced, reasoned and responsible position being taken by many of the unions. It was...

Seanad: Public Service Agreement 2010-2014: Statements (13 May 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: I would like to share my time with Senator Butler.

Seanad: Public Service Agreement 2010-2014: Statements (13 May 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: Like all other speakers, I pay tribute to our fine public service on the quality of the service we receive and its achievements. It has been of benefit in growing the economy.

Seanad: Public Service Agreement 2010-2014: Statements (13 May 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: I would like to share my time with Senator Butler.

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 May 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: I share the call for a debate on transport, and I strongly support the need for an enhanced rail network system. The work to date has been very positive. There is a need to extend the spur to Shannon Airport, as it largely serves the American continent. We also need to look at sending a spur from Sligo to Derry. As we head for 2020 and an island population of 8 million people, it will...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 May 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: I share in the calls for a debate on the resolution of our finances. I am clear, as is the Minister, that there will be cuts in spending followed by budgetary measures to raise money. That is clear and has been spelt out to the EU which insisted we get our finances in order. It has given us until 2014 to do so and we are very successfully on track to do that. It is worth noting, and we...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 May 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: I share the sentiments expressed by those Senators who spoke in support of Archbishop Martin of Dublin, in particular of his suggestion that certain elements are still reacting inappropriately, to say the least, to the crisis that has struck the church over its handling of child sexual abuse. The situation has not changed. Canon Law is at one with the State law. There is no dichotomy; they...

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 May 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: I call for a debate on the situation in Greece, especially in light of the fact we have a contrast between the cities of Dublin and Athens. One has the highest deficit in its budget in the EU zone. The other does not have a deficit as high, yet there is widespread anger, the IMF has been called in and there are riots on the streets. The way we have managed our economy, like the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 May 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: If the Opposition got its way, we would have government by media.

Seanad: Ministerial Pensions: Motion (5 May 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: I wish to share time with Senator Butler.

Seanad: Ministerial Pensions: Motion (5 May 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: I second the amendment to the motion moved by Senator MacSharry. When some lose sight of the past and do not realise why certain arrangements are in place, it is time to recall the pay and conditions of Oireachtas Members in the 1980s. I spoke with a candidate for both the Dáil and the Seanad who ran in several elections in the early 1980s, who was elected in the first Seanad election in...

Seanad: Ministerial Pensions: Motion (5 May 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: I will repeat what I just said.

Seanad: Ministerial Pensions: Motion (5 May 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: One does not hear those who served for a very short term in the 1994 to 1997 Government, who are now retired and who qualified after two years for a pension speak about handing back their pensions. The Opposition is chasing the rainbow of public opinion. Were it not for the pension arrangements of Bank of Ireland's chief executive officer, Mr. Boucher, or the Irish European Commissioner's,...

Seanad: Ministerial Pensions: Motion (5 May 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: As someone who qualified as a financial adviser and was qualified to sell pensions, I am aware that a pension amounts to deferred pay. That is the legal position. Even if we were to introduce legislation in the next term to prevent people from claiming their pension, I am certain it could be challenged. We can only hope those who have already given up their pension, if they are still...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Apr 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: I call on the Leader to arrange a debate on ways by which we can improve the position on employment. In the 1980s we had many allowances and schemes that provided for tax reliefs for those who invested in job creation. I raise this issue in the light of the good news yesterday from Davy which stated there had been growth in the economy in the first quarter of the year. That is very...

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Apr 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: I join the calls for a debate on the role and participation of people in politics. I am particularly mindful of the manner in which the media represent what Members of these Houses do and how they sometimes misrepresent them. It is bad enough to have Opposition Members, who are part of our own political group, misrepresenting the Government.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Apr 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: However, to have the media misrepresenting-----

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Apr 2010)

John Gerard Hanafin: It amuses me at times to hear people misrepresent the facts to the effect that Fianna Fáil props up the bankers, as though intelligent politicians, who have won three general elections on the trot and whose instincts enable them to see around corners politically, have decided that their best role to be re-elected for a fourth term definitely would be to support the bankers. That is...