Results 1-20 of 3,550 for speaker:Dominic Hannigan

Seanad: Voluntary Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (27 Sep 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: We are broadly supportive of the Bill and will not oppose it. However, while the Minister is present, I would like to raise specific issues with regard to the VHI, risk equalisation and health insurance. The proposals in the Bill will give additional flexibility to the VHI, which we must welcome. At this time, the VHI provides insurance for more than 80% of the Irish market. I am...

Seanad: Air Services. (27 Sep 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: I congratulate the Cathaoirleach on his election and wish him well in the role. Last October, prior to the sale of Aer Lingus, a clear statement was made to the effect that four slots must be retained between Shannon and Heathrow for the economic benefit of the region. That was Government policy and was reflected in the articles of association. Shares were purchased in the airline on that...

Seanad: Air Services. (27 Sep 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: A vote of no-confidence could be held.

Seanad: Climate Protection Bill 2007: Second Stage (3 Oct 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: I welcome the legislation and I also welcome the opportunity for the Government and its partners to demonstrate their commitment to and sincerity about the protection of our environment and a reduction in climate change. In the past few days I have received hundreds of e-mails from people asking me to support the Bill. That demonstrates the strength of feeling on the issue and proves the...

Seanad: Climate Protection Bill 2007: Second Stage (3 Oct 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: I wish to raise a point of order. Reference was made to the Labour Party's voting record in regard to the Climate Change Targets Bill in November 2005. The record shows clearly that we voted——

Seanad: Climate Protection Bill 2007: Second Stage (3 Oct 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: It is not in response to the Minister but it is in regard to Senator de Búrca's——

Seanad: Climate Protection Bill 2007: Second Stage (3 Oct 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: Okay. For the record, we voted in favour of the Bill. Senator Boyle was a teller on the day and he can confirm that.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Oct 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: I am glad to see the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources will undertake a review of investment in broadband. As spokesperson on community and rural affairs, I am pleased to see any measure to improve life for rural dwellers. Despite promises to the contrary, as a country we still lag behind when it comes to broadband access in rural areas. Broadband has long ceased to...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Oct 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: The Leader's guidance would be most helpful.

Seanad: Parking Regulations (4 Oct 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: I thank you, a Chathaoirligh, for leave to speak on this issue. It came to light in recent weeks when the imposition of a car parking charge at railway stations led to an increase in the cost of commuting by 40% for some train users. Last week, the cost of commuting at Stamullen, County Meath, increased by €250 per year owing to the imposition of a car parking charge at that rail station....

Seanad: Parking Regulations (4 Oct 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: I thank the Minister of State and appreciate he is responding on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Noel Dempsey. The issue was not specifically about the concept of charging for parking but how we can ensure that the car parking charges are regulated and do not increase year by year. Will the Minister of State ask the Minister to consider including car parking charges in his remit to control...

Seanad: Parking Regulations (4 Oct 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: That is not always the case.

Seanad: Parking Regulations (4 Oct 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: I appreciate that.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Oct 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: I was deeply concerned to read reports on the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture's review of the Irish Prison Service. It cites gross violations of human rights, violence and the ongoing procedure of slopping-out cells. While many Members will never see the inside of a prison, it is clear there has been a mass proliferation of drugs, gang warfare is taking place and the entire...

Seanad: Access to Education: Motion (10 Oct 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: I welcome the Minister to the Chamber. Access to education is a major problem for young families in Dublin, Meath, Louth, Wicklow, Kildare and throughout the country. It is a problem that is growing day by day. It is a ticking time-bomb and it is due to the fact that we have an obsolete system for planning new classrooms in schools. We suffer from a planning system that is disjointed and...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Oct 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: The centre for global development has just released its report and index on the performance of the richest countries of the world on overseas development aid. Ireland comes halfway up the list which, while not a bad result, leaves room for improvement. One of the criteria used in assessing performance is aid. We are committed to providing 0.7% of gross national product by 2012, three years...

Seanad: Burma: Motion (11 Oct 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: I welcome the Minister of State. Many of us will have travelled to Asia and seen at first hand the dignity and serenity of Buddhist monks but when they become the enemy within, as they have become in Burma, we know there is something seriously wrong with that state. These peaceful people are protesting for their dignity and it is up to us to show solidarity with them in their fight....

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Oct 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: It was wonderful to see Anne Enright win the Man Booker prize for her novel, The Gathering, the second Irish author to win the prize in the past three years. It shows again what a great nurturing ground we are for literary talent. It is important not to forget the words of the former US President, Bill Clinton, that literacy is not a luxury but a right and a responsibility. In some of our...

Seanad: National Drugs Strategy: Statements (17 Oct 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Pat Carey, to the House and congratulate him on his recent elevation. It is a good sign that somebody of his commitment is in his position and this bodes well for the future. I am sure we all agree that drugs are a major curse in modern society and I therefore welcome the chance to debate the subject. The commitments made in the National Drugs...

Seanad: Serious Crime: Motion (17 Oct 2007)

Dominic Hannigan: I welcome the motion which gives us an opportunity to speak about an issue of importance to people across the country. The amendment proposed by the Government is more of the same. The last Government concentrated on increasing the number of prison spaces and imprisoning more people. I worry about that attitude. Senator Walsh referred to people coming across drugs for the first time in...