Results 141-160 of 3,550 for speaker:Dominic Hannigan

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Apr 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: Like Senator Alex White, I am concerned about recent developments in the Irish economy. FÁS has indicated it expects unemployment to rise to 5.5% this year and 6.6% next year largely as a result of the slowdown in the construction industry. Business failures are up 60% since this time last year. The value of the pound sterling against the euro is at its lowest level ever. Coupled with...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Apr 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: I attended the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs yesterday at which I co-sponsored with Senator Norris a motion on Tibet calling for dialogue and on which there was unanimous agreement. However, when it came to the issue of a boycott of the Olympic opening ceremony, there was no firm agreement. Some members felt politicians should boycott the ceremony while others called for...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Apr 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: I can arrange for our policies to be sent to the Senator.

Seanad: Kidnapping and Detention of Ms Ingrid Betancourt: Motion (10 Apr 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: I also welcome the Minister of State to the House and thank Senator Fitzgerald for sharing her time so that I can speak. My party and I will support this motion. Ingrid Betancourt is an inspirational person for many people across the world, myself included. I have seen a documentary and read much about her. She is truly one of those people who is involved in politics for all the right...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Apr 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: I echo the sentiments of previous speakers on yesterday's funeral of former President, Dr. Patrick Hillery. I was privileged to attend it. From the day's events and as seen throughout the country, it was clear Dr. Hillery was held in great affection by us all. It is always a sad day for Ireland when we must bury one of our great Irish men. Like previous speakers, I congratulate Senator...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Mutual Assistance) Bill 2005 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (17 Apr 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: I welcome the return of this Bill from the Lower House. Given the way our Constitution works, when we sign up to international treaties and conventions it is necessary either to introduce new legislation or amend existing laws. That is the reason we are doing this. It is a classic example and will help us ratify some international conventions we need to implement. My party welcomes the...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Mutual Assistance) Bill 2005 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (17 Apr 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: I welcome the passage of the Bill. On a daily basis we become aware of criminal issues that transcend national borders. As a result, anything that can help to bring about improvements in the position is welcome. I congratulate the Minister and his staff on the work they have done to ensure the Bill would be passed.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Apr 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: I wish to address the comments made at the end of last week by the Leader of the House where he implied that some of us were not doing our bit for the Lisbon treaty. He must have been asleep last week. One of our MEP's was assaulted for trying to explain the treaty to people. I have attended three meetings on the Lisbon treaty in the last week, most recently this morning sharing a platform...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Apr 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: They were more civil than the crowd last week and I got out alive. I agree it is vital that we do our part and I can assure the Leader that he will not find us wanting on this side of the House. I wish to raise the issue of broadband. I read a report some days ago stating that Eircom has offered to upgrade the speeds of broadband in such gateway towns as Dundalk and Letterkenny. There is...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: We continue our debate today on the Lisbon reform treaty. I spoke to the Irish Countrywomens Association yesterday about the treaty and one of the questions that regularly came up concerned how the treaty might improve equality for women. My response was that the Charter of Fundamental Rights guarantees equality across gender. I am grateful to Senator O'Toole for this document because I...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: Coupled with that, our nation has the second lowest participation rate of women in the political system in the European Union. Only Malta has a lower rate. If we look at Spain, the Prime Minister there, Mr. Zapatero, has just appointed his cabinet in which the majority of members are women.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: There is a great opportunity for our incoming Taoiseach. I ask him to consider seriously taking a leaf from the book of the Spanish Prime Minister, Mr. Zapatero, and increasing the number of women in his Cabinet. The Green Paper on local government reform was published yesterday. There are many good things in it. Certainly the news that towns such as Ashbourne and Maynooth may soon get...

Seanad: Lisbon Reform Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (23 Apr 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, Deputy Dick Roche, to the House. It is only 24 hours since I heard him speak about the Lisbon reform treaty at a meeting of the Irish Countrywomen's Association in Termonfeckin. It was an excellent meeting and the audience appreciated the Minister of State's attendance. I am pleased to have this opportunity to discuss the...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects: Motion (23 Apr 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: I thank the Independent Senators for moving this motion. I am pleased to see the Minister here tonight to listen to our concerns. No matter what part of the country one goes to, one will find a primary school struggling with more or less the same three problems, namely, a lack of funding, school size and access routes and road safety in front of school buildings. Those are three vital...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects: Motion (23 Apr 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: The Department has promised to double the capitation grants but there is no indication when this money will appear. As a result, there is a concern that primary schools can be run on the generosity of parents and on how much money they can contribute. Class sizes are also a major issue. Large class sizes have resulted largely from the lack of a coherent school planning programme at a time...

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Apr 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: I am sure everyone in the House will join me in wishing the Taoiseach well later on today in his historic address to the joint session of the US Congress. I hope he will use the occasion to raise awareness of Ireland and I hope he raises the plight of the undocumented Irish during his address. I also hope he extends an invite to the average American to visit these shores. We had a...

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2008: Order for Second Stage (30 Apr 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2008: Second Stage. (30 Apr 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: I move: "That the Bill be now read a second time". I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Noel Ahern. The Labour Party believes that the best form of government is open and honest. The reputation of politicians on this island suffered in the 1970s, the 1980s and in the early 1990s to the point where permanent changes were needed to the way we operated and did...

Seanad: Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill 2008: Second Stage. (30 Apr 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: On a point of information, the Minister of State may not be aware that his speech has not been made available to us. We could request it through the Freedom of Information Act but it might be easier to use a photocopier.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 May 2008)

Dominic Hannigan: I welcome the all-party motion on Zimbabwe but want to focus on human rights closer to home. Yesterday saw the publication of the Council of Europe's report on human rights in Ireland. It contained 34 recommendations for action by the Government. Senator Alex White referred to some of these areas, which include rights of travellers, access to education and rights of people with mental...