Results 21-40 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

Standing Orders: Motion. (10 Feb 2004)

Mary Hanafin: Previous Governments never allowed that. What happens in other countries? In the United Kingdom the Prime Minister's only obligation to the House is to take questions for 30 minutes a week. In France, the Prime Minister takes two periods of questions each week, each period lasting an hour.

Standing Orders: Motion. (10 Feb 2004)

Mary Hanafin: In the case of Austria, Denmark, Italy and Germany, there are no obligations to be present for any particular time. In Portugal, the Prime Minister attends for one three hour session every month.

Standing Orders: Motion. (10 Feb 2004)

Mary Hanafin: In Spain, the Prime Minister answers questions on three Wednesdays every month for about 20 minutes a week. In Belgium and Greece, the Prime Minister attends on one day each week.

Standing Orders: Motion. (10 Feb 2004)

Mary Hanafin: If Deputy Durkan would listen he would realise what I have said.

Standing Orders: Motion. (10 Feb 2004)

Mary Hanafin: The Fine Gael Party is making petty points, which are ill-considered, regarding the Taoiseach's presence in this Chamber on one day. Fine Gael should put more time and energy into collaborating——

Standing Orders: Motion. (10 Feb 2004)

Mary Hanafin: ——with all the parties in this House to determine the real Dáil reform measures we can bring forward to make sure that this House becomes a legislative assembly as it is meant to be and which also represents people. In light of what has been said in this House already today, and the proposals which have come forward from other parties on Dáil reform, we must remember that this is Dáil...

Standing Orders: Motion. (10 Feb 2004)

Mary Hanafin: We are a legislative assembly and what is needed is a more focused time to consider the legislation we are bringing forward.

Standing Orders: Motion. (10 Feb 2004)

Mary Hanafin: That is why I will be proposing, in line with what two of the Deputies have already said, to extend the sitting times of the three days we are in this House to approximately 30 hours per week. I am conscious of the fact that the work of a Deputy does not start and end in this Chamber. All Deputies, particularly those who have constituencies outside Dublin, experience real problems in trying...

Standing Orders: Motion. (10 Feb 2004)

Mary Hanafin: It would mean that the hours we spend in the House would be much more productive. I know there are Deputies, particularly those from Dublin, who would suggest that we should sit from 9 a.m. to 5. p.m. for five days per week. This would be a totally unreasonable expectation, particularly for our colleagues with constituencies in the country who have to travel long distances and need to spend...

Standing Orders: Motion. (10 Feb 2004)

Mary Hanafin: Each of us recognises that much irrelevant material, to put it mildly, is raised on Second Stage. By giving advance notice to Members, they would be able to prepare their contributions properly and improve the quality of Second Stage speeches. I also propose that the Chief Whip publish every month an updated version of the promised A list legislation, which would allow Members to monitor...

Standing Orders: Motion. (10 Feb 2004)

Mary Hanafin: We have an unparalleled legislative programme. Since June 2002, we have enacted 58 Bills and published 69 Bills. We are determined to deliver on our programme for Government and to do so we must put in place the legislative framework to support the economy, society and the institutions of the 21st century.

Standing Orders: Motion. (10 Feb 2004)

Mary Hanafin: We want to regard this legislative process as informed, representative and as effective as possible. Some of my proposals will help in this regard. All Members, but unfortunately nobody outside the Oireachtas, recognise the value of the work of the committees. which comprise one of the success stories of Dáil reform in recent years. Only last week I spoke with members of the Committee on...

Standing Orders: Motion. (10 Feb 2004)

Mary Hanafin: Having topical issues discussions at a prominent time would mean the issues raised would have a greater influence on the day's business. If introduced, we could get rid of the end-of-the-day Adjournment debate, which is taken too late and is irrelevant.

Standing Orders: Motion. (10 Feb 2004)

Mary Hanafin: It would also exclude the absolute time-wasting we witness every day whereby Members raise issues under Standing Order 31 asking that the Dáil be adjourned because of something that could only be termed as very trivial or of minor interest. The issue of Question Time has been raised by backbenchers on both sides of the House. Oral and written questions provide a very valuable opportunity for...

Standing Orders: Motion. (10 Feb 2004)

Mary Hanafin: The arrangements have evolved over the year but there is undoubtedly room for improvement. Increasingly in this House, we are passing legislation to devolve power to other bodies, for example, local authorities and health boards, which are not accountable to this House. Neither is the Minister accountable for those bodies, but we need to find a mechanism by which Members can ask questions of...

Standing Orders: Motion. (10 Feb 2004)

Mary Hanafin: In addition to the introduction of a "topical issues" time and improvements in the visibility of committee work, our aim must also be to continue with our special debates on topical matters and substantive issues in the extra weeks in January and September. This will improve our role as a representative body. However, it is also important that we communicate to the public the way we do...

Standing Orders: Motion. (10 Feb 2004)

Mary Hanafin: As I stated, the broadcasting committee has already progressed the issue of considering a dedicated television channel. If Deputy Stagg had listened to me, for once in his life, he would have heard what I said. We envisage that there would be much more extensive broadcasting and increased use of new technologies. The Oireachtas website is very valuable and provides timely information on a...

Standing Orders: Motion. (10 Feb 2004)

Mary Hanafin: Dáil reform is not about more play time, scoring points or making headlines, but about ensuring that we can raise real issues, progress the Government agenda and introduce real legislation. The public is not fooled by the sham indignation of people here week in, week out. Parliamentary procedure in this House is being abused by the Opposition whose constant aim is to waste time every day....

Standing Orders: Motion. (10 Feb 2004)

Mary Hanafin: The kettle——

Standing Orders: Motion. (10 Feb 2004)

Mary Hanafin: It has.