Results 21-40 of 7,604 for speaker:James Bannon

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Nov 2002)

James Bannon: Very serious concerns have been expressed to me in recent days by individuals who look after elderly persons in their homes with regard to the closure of six of the 22 centres of the National Carers Association. Two of these centres are in the midlands, one in Longford and the other in Roscommon. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Health and Children to the House to explain the...

Seanad: Report of the Inspector of Mental Hospitals, 2001: Statements. (7 Nov 2002)

James Bannon: I join other Senators in welcoming the Minister of State to the House and in complimenting the Inspector of Mental Hospitals on his excellent report. It is of the utmost importance that the Inspector of Mental Hospitals has a statutory obligation to inspect all psychiatric hospitals and units throughout the State. In my view, a yearly inspection is not adequate; there should be two...

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Nov 2002)

James Bannon: There is much public disquiet regarding the amount of fluoride in our water supply. I tried to raise this issue last week. The Belgian health minister has banned all products containing fluoride and most European countries have banned this product. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Health and Children to the House to explain the Government's position on the adverse effects fluoride...

Seanad: Second Interim Report of the Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments: Statements. (12 Nov 2002)

James Bannon: Prior to becoming a Member of the Oireachtas, I looked forward to the exciting responsibilities and challenges that would come with election, but since entering this House I have been saddened to note that the issue causing most concern to the public is the trustworthiness of the Government parties and their public representatives in the Oireachtas and on local authorities. I agree with the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Nov 2002)

James Bannon: I also support the calls for a debate on planning. The first consultation document on the national spatial strategy was published in February 2000, yet very little has happened since. Consultations and submissions were welcomed. I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on the strategy when it is published and to request the attendance of the Minister for the Environment and Local Government who...

Seanad: Tourism Industry: Statements (Resumed). (13 Nov 2002)

James Bannon: I also welcome the Minister of State, Deputy de Valera, to the House. She comes from one of the tourism honey pots and therefore I am sure she is tuned into the many issues relating to tourism and the problems we have encountered in the development of the industry. Tourism is a most important industry and has been a success story in terms of job creation and economic growth. All this has...

Seanad: Community Employment Schemes: Motion. (13 Nov 2002)

James Bannon: The constituency is Longford-Roscommon.

Seanad: Community Employment Schemes: Motion. (13 Nov 2002)

James Bannon: There will be more cutbacks.

Seanad: Community Employment Schemes: Motion. (13 Nov 2002)

James Bannon: I wish to share time with Senator John Paul Phelan. I welcome the Minister of State to the House and support the motion and the contributions of my colleagues regarding the continuation of the community employment schemes as outlined in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness. The Minister of State stated that there were 30,809 participants in community employment schemes, something that...

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Nov 2002)

James Bannon: I sure the Senator was the first choice.

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Nov 2002)

James Bannon: I move the following amendment to the Order of Business: "That No. 6, motion No. 12, be taken with No. 1". The motion relates to improving the safety of the rail network and increasing capacity. Will the Leader invite the Minister for the Environment and Local Government to the House to explain how he expects local authorities to plan strategically for future years when even at this stage of...

Seanad: Order of Business. (14 Nov 2002)

James Bannon: I urge the Leader to invite the Minister to the House to discuss the matter.

Seanad: Rail Services and Related Transport Matters: Statements. (14 Nov 2002)

James Bannon: I welcome the Minister. I hope he took note of the many contributions that have been made to the debate, particularly that of the Leader, Senator O'Rourke, who stated that she will be putting down markers for the Minister. Perhaps he could find a position for her as an adviser to him in Cabinet.

Seanad: Housing Grants: Motion. (20 Nov 2002)

James Bannon: I support the motion and welcome the Minister of State with responsibility for housing, Deputy Noel Ahern. In the light of the Government's decision to abolish the first-time buyer's grant, I ask the Minister what he is going to do for the many thousands of young people who will lose out on their €3,810 grant despite pre-election promises from the Government that there would be no cutbacks...

Seanad: Housing Grants: Motion. (20 Nov 2002)

James Bannon: This is something that the Minister should consider. This latest cutback is a dreadful blow to the people, especially those who voted for Fianna Fáil or the Progressive Democrats at the last general election. Never before in Irish political history has there been as much mistrust of a Government by the people as there is now. We have had bad times – Taoisigh suffering from loss of memory,...

Seanad: Housing Grants: Motion. (20 Nov 2002)

James Bannon: The Minister for Finance stated prior to the election: "I can confirm that there are no significant overruns projected and no cutbacks whatsoever are being planned secretly or otherwise."

Seanad: Housing Grants: Motion. (20 Nov 2002)

James Bannon: I think manners could be afforded to me when speaking. The Book of Estimates published last Thursday proves that the people have been duped by a deliberately orchestrated campaign of lies and deceit. The sick, the disabled, the less well-off, young people, those on community employment schemes, students, farmers, PAYE workers and the unemployed are all suffering the consequences. In addition,...

Seanad: Housing Grants: Motion. (20 Nov 2002)

James Bannon: Are those being stopped by the Government?

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Nov 2002)

James Bannon: The availability of good quality water supplies is essential in any society and is fundamental to the maintenance of public health. There has been a scare in County Wicklow with regard to the level of uranium in the public water supply and some 13 other counties are also at risk. It is important that we have a debate on this issue to allay public fears. The Environmental Protection Agency...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Nov 2002)

James Bannon: I support Senator Hayes on the need for a short debate on the Abbeylara tribunal. Why has it taken so long for the issue to be dealt with? It is two and a half years since John Carthy was shot and there is much public disquiet. I would appreciate a short debate on the issue.