Results 41-60 of 3,550 for speaker:Dominic Hannigan

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Nov 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: Somebody is wrong.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Nov 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: I also want to raise the proposed development outside Balbriggan and Gormanstown of the Bremore Port. This morning Drogheda Port Company announced it had entered an agreement to build a €300 million development on the Meath-Fingal border. The proposed port is four kilometres from the M1 motorway, which is the responsibility of the NRA, and close to the Dublin-Dundalk rail line. It is...

Seanad: Government's Irish Aid Strategy: Statements (13 Nov 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: I wish to speak on the proposed development co-operation Bill and the economic partnership agreements which were raised earlier. In 2005, my party proposed the development co-operation Bill to enable the annual commitment of 0.7% of gross domestic product to development aid. The UN millennium development goals which rely on development aid would have seen action in areas such as the...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Nov 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: I join with other Senators in expressing concern about the fact the number of leaving certificate completions has not significantly changed in the past couple of years. However, the same report points out that a greater number of students are availing of other courses such as FETAC and post leaving certificate courses. The Minister of State, Deputy Haughey, was in the House a few weeks ago...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Nov 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: That is not a subject for flippancy.

Seanad: Road Safety: Statements (Resumed) (14 Nov 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: I thank Senator Ryan for sharing his time with me. I want to focus my contribution on the issue of safety outside schools and, in particular, parking provisions, quarrying and construction traffic, driving standards, inadequate signage, road conditions and walking buses. I assure Senator de Búrca that the latter is not only of interest to the Green Party; it is also high on my party's...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: I welcome the launch today of the website for the regulatory authority for auctioneers and estate agents and the opening of its Navan offices. The authority has been established to provide improved protection for those who buy or sell property. Bearing in mind the recent revelations regarding conveyancing solicitors, it is good that the property sector is working to improve its reputation...

Seanad: Local Government (Roads Functions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (15 Nov 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: Concern was voiced about the legislation in the Lower House yesterday by my party colleagues. Given the two options about who should manage these functions, I would prefer if the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government would do so. He has shown in his short time in Government that he is quite adept at managing issues, for instance, moving the proposed incinerator from...

Seanad: Local Government (Roads Functions) Bill 2007: Second Stage (15 Nov 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: I cannot say the same about the Minister, Deputy Dempsey. During his tenure as Minister we have seen too many problems. As referred to earlier, we have seen the disaster of the privatisation of Aer Lingus and the impact that has had on the Shannon region. There was the debacle a few weeks ago of the change in licensing regulations affecting those on provisional licences. Now we hear there...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Nov 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: Last week I welcomed the opening by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Brian Lenihan of the new National Property Services Regulatory Authority's offices in Navan. I was glad to see that the Minister recognised that some consumers recently have had negative experiences. I am concerned about people throughout Ireland, in Louth and Meath especially, who live on estates...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Nov 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: Yesterday was the anniversary of the launch of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. On the same day we learned from a child safety expert, Dr. Alf Richardson of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, that the death rate of children in road crashes in Ireland is twice as high as in Sweden. Is it not time that more funds were allocated to road safety for children? The...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Nov 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: It is the same as his party's was six months ago.

Seanad: Postal Services: Motion (21 Nov 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: An Post has achieved much in recent years. Not so long ago its management and staff were at loggerheads. I am glad to see that day has gone, that management and unions are working together for the good of the company and that any changes to its practices are implemented after discussion between both groups. More, however, needs to be done. The company has reached 78% of its projected 94%...

Seanad: Postal Services: Motion (21 Nov 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: I thank the Acting Chairman but I hope he will be as lenient with me as he was with Senator Norris whose two minutes were more like five. I will be brief. We must take advantage of all technological developments to improve sorting and delivery services. The opening of the market could pose some threats to the future of the postal service. I urge caution because we can learn lessons from...

Seanad: Estate Management Companies (21 Nov 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: I welcome the Minister to the House. His presence is an indication of the importance of the subject of unregulated management companies. I understand a high level interdepartmental group is expected to deliver recommendations on this issue in the new year. While I recognise and welcome the fact that some form of resolution is in sight, residents affected by this legislative black hole...

Seanad: Estate Management Companies (21 Nov 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: I thank the Minister for his comprehensive reply. Like him, I welcomed the opening of the new office in Navan and the website last week. The Minister referred to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government's draft policy guidance and the fact that its Minister may tweak some of the recommendations. The Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement is considering...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: There have been significant changes in the country since the Planning and Development Act 2000 was passed. Most Senators have received a report from the Irish Planning Institute which shows a threefold increase in the number of planning applications in the past decade. Planners are being swamped by the increasing volume and complexity of applications. It may be time for us to review the...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Nov 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: It is unfair of Senator Norris to tar all councillors with the same brush. As a former county councillor I know the vast majority of councillors would not dream of becoming involved in the antics referred to in the programme shown on television the other night to which the Senator referred. Using the Chamber to spread unsubstantiated allegations about the councillor body as a whole is wrong...

Seanad: Report on Seanad Reform: Motion (28 Nov 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: I wish to share time with Senator Doherty.

Seanad: Report on Seanad Reform: Motion (28 Nov 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: I am pleased to be speaking about the issue of reform so early in the life of the current Seanad. All too often, members of the public have questioned me about the relevance and legitimacy of this House. I am glad the Green Party has put forward this motion and would like to see cross-party support on the issue. Some may argue that a certain section of society would not be well served by...