Results 121-140 of 501 for speaker:Maurice Hayes

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Apr 2006)

Maurice Hayes: I was also lucky enough to attend the meeting of the British-Irish Interparliamentary Body in Killarney as an observer. Like other Members, I welcome the developments which took place at the meeting. We should not underestimate the political fortitude of the members of the DUP who attended the meeting and the measured way in which they put their case. The fact that they wanted, and were...

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Apr 2006)

Maurice Hayes: What do we have a police ombudsman for?

Seanad: Diabetes Policy: Statements. (5 Apr 2006)

Maurice Hayes: I, too, welcome the Minister of State and pay tribute to Senator Glynn for his perseverance in bringing this important matter to light. Unfortunately Senator O'Meara stole my script and I will not repeat everything she said.

Seanad: Diabetes Policy: Statements. (5 Apr 2006)

Maurice Hayes: I commend to the Minister of State an interview with Jack Gilroy in last weekend's Sunday Independent. Mr. Gilroy is a former Dublin footballer who lost both legs as a result of diabetes. His story is quite harrowing and his problem stems from a sweet tooth. Diabetes is an epidemic. Obesity is creeping up on us and if we do not get a grip on it, it will overwhelm the acute services. It will...

Seanad: European Council: Statements. (5 Apr 2006)

Maurice Hayes: I thank the Minister of State for his references to the forum and to me personally, for which I am very grateful. The youth forum held in Dublin and Cork was very successful and it will be held shortly in Galway. A very successful schools competition was held for transition year students and it was attended by the Minister for Education and Science last Monday. On the previous Monday the...

Seanad: Irish Language: Motion. (5 Apr 2006)

Maurice Hayes: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire anseo. Is mór an trua go bhfuilimid ag déanamh cheist poilitíochta de seo ar chor ar bith mar is dóigh liom go bhfuilimid go léir sa Seanad ar an dtaobh céanna ar son na Gaeilge. Glacaim leis go bhfuil na Seanadóirí a chuir síos an rún agus an Seanadóir de Búrca go macánta ag lorg leasaithe teanga. Tá súil agam, i ndeireadh na dáile, nach ndeanfaí...

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Apr 2006)

Maurice Hayes: Like Senators Ó Murchú, Mansergh and Coghlan, I too wish the Taoiseach and Prime Minister, Mr. Blair, well. I accept the statement of the IRA leadership in this case. It would be entirely irrational for it to have been involved and this is obviously a view shared by Mr. Donaldson. Along with the process it is the big loser. Their difficulty is that it is not this House they have to convince...

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Mar 2006)

Maurice Hayes: I strongly support Senator Ormonde's request for a debate recognising Europe day. It is unimaginable that the Oireachtas would have a Europe day in which the Seanad is not involved. I agree too that we should not discuss esoteric matters such as the constitution but the real impact the EU makes on the lives of ordinary citizens. Like Senator Minihan, I am concerned by the unregulated use of...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Mar 2006)

Maurice Hayes: I support Senator McHugh in his call for a debate on health services in the north west. Cross-Border co-operation would be sensible and of great help to patients on both sides of the Border. Contractual and logistical difficulties can be overcome. I examined this issue in a review I conducted a number of years ago and found a considerable reluctance on the part of the Department of Health and...

Seanad: Shot at Dawn Campaign: Statements. (28 Mar 2006)

Maurice Hayes: It is difficult to follow Senator Mansergh in this matter. His was one of the most moving and honest contributions I have heard in this House. It is not for me to thank him for it but I do admire him.

Seanad: Shot at Dawn Campaign: Statements. (28 Mar 2006)

Maurice Hayes: I also commend Mr. Mulvany, his colleagues, Senators Mooney and Brian Hayes, Mr. Andrew Mackinlay and the Minister on the efforts they made in this regard. My father was in the British army during the First World War and I grew up with many of the survivors. If one saw what those survivors were like in later years one would have some idea of the trauma and suffering of the people who were...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2006 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage. (28 Mar 2006)

Maurice Hayes: I am grateful to Senators Ormonde and Leyden for sharing their time with me. Since they got hassled somewhat, perhaps the Leas-Chathaoirleach might consider giving me a minute or two of injury time. I welcome the Minister to the House and congratulate him not only on this budget but on his stewardship of the economy in recent years, which has provided stability and certainty for business and...

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Mar 2006)

Maurice Hayes: I am not sure whether Senator Leyden was telling us that he was the ham in the sandwich.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Mar 2006)

Maurice Hayes: I disagree profoundly with him, but in a civilised way, on the question of the Garda reserve force. I ask the Leader to ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government what steps he is taking to safeguard the site of the Battle of the Boyne, which is a matter of considerable interest to many people in Northern Ireland. It is an important element in North-South relations...

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Mar 2006)

Maurice Hayes: I would also like to refer to the comments by Senators Norris and O'Toole about the death in custody and the subsequent investigation. This makes an unanswerable case for a Garda Ombudsman Commission in a way no other could in the interest of the Garda. I am fully satisfied, on the basis of what I have seen and read, that the Garda acted properly and according to the book in this case. One of...

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Mar 2006)

Maurice Hayes: If a debate on the parole board is scheduled, could it be extended to include the requirements under European convention and other European laws? It is a difficult proposition in European law that the freedom or non-freedom of a person should be an executive decision. There was a case in which the United Kingdom was forced to change its procedure so a Minister was not making such a decision...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (7 Mar 2006)

Maurice Hayes: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. It is quite clear that the Bill has a general fair wind and I will not dissent from that but I wish to make a few general points. It is important that we are able to deal with great infrastructural projects in a timely and reasonable way. I think of the great programmes of public works carried out in Victorian times. A large mental hospital was...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Mar 2006)

Maurice Hayes: I support Senator Norris in his request for a debate on TB. I am old enough to remember the scourge that TB was before the Second World War and into the 1950s. It would be terrible if this was allowed to get a grip again in our society. The study published seems to show it has appeared among young urban males where the capacity for transmission is so enormous. I note the Leader has agreed to...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Mar 2006)

Maurice Hayes: I agree, the taxpayers. The Government should be responsible for failings attributed to the State but otherwise not.

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Mar 2006)

Maurice Hayes: I did not think I would ever find myself being an apologist for the Orange Order. However, it is unfair to tar all its members with the one brush. It is an organisation which includes many different members, some of whom are trying to open up and some of whom are trying to strengthen that aspect of their culture which is conservative rather than aggressive. We should recognise that aspect. I...