Results 41-60 of 7,604 for speaker:James Bannon

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (27 Nov 2002)

James Bannon: I welcome the Minister. Tourism has grown rapidly in the past decade. The benefits of this growth have not been evenly spread, particularly in rural counties outside the main honey pots and Dublin. It is time for the honey to be spread more evenly.

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Nov 2002)

James Bannon: I also would welcome a debate on the national spatial document even though it is three years too late. It should be debated in conjunction with the national development plan, which is currently in a shambles because of recent Government cutbacks. The announcement this morning is a shocking blow to the people of my county, County Longford, as Senator Leyden said. This is the third blow to...

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Nov 2002)

James Bannon: A holy Mary.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Dec 2002)

James Bannon: I did not catch Senator O'Toole's complimentary remark to Senator Hanafin. I presume he has been appointed to some board to find the missing millions which were available in May but not available today.

Seanad: Order of Business. (4 Dec 2002)

James Bannon: Will the Leader invite the Minister for Social and Family Affairs to come to the House to explain the reason she has such a mistrust of community welfare officers given that she said they were not adhering to Government policy with regard to rent supplement? Serious concerns have been expressed to me during the past week by a number of community welfare officers. This public disquiet has to...

Seanad: Budget Statement: Motion. (4 Dec 2002)

James Bannon: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. The budget shows that the Government has lost the confidence of the people. The Minister for Finance, Deputy McCreevy, has lost his credibility. If he was a director or manager of a private company, he would have been sacked long ago. I would not fancy his chances if he applied for a community employment scheme. He would have to stay even closer...

Seanad: Budget Statement: Motion. (4 Dec 2002)

James Bannon: The Minister admitted today that they are coming back.

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Dec 2002)

James Bannon: Will the Leader update the House on the social inclusion policy? People are being forced into substandard accommodation because of the Government's policy and the capping of the rent supplement, which I raised yesterday. How will the marginalised fit into society? I understand a social inclusion policy exists, but it has been thrown out the window due to recent Government cutbacks.

Seanad: National Spatial Strategy: Statements. (5 Dec 2002)

James Bannon: I welcome the Minister of State. While I am broadly in favour of the national spatial strategy which has finally been launched – three years after it was due – I have major reservations, both of a national nature and, more specifically, in relation to my county of Longford that has a rate base of only 7% compared to 55%-60% in the Dublin local authority areas. This proves that Longford...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (10 Dec 2002)

James Bannon: I welcome the Minister. In discussing the Bill I emphasise the importance of planning for social and affordable housing, the shortage of which is at a critical level. It is important that we, as legislators, provide a flexible framework for the guidance and control of development throughout the countryside which will contribute to growth and the needs of the people, while at the same time...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (10 Dec 2002)

James Bannon: He is adopting Fine Gael policy. He is at it all day.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (10 Dec 2002)

James Bannon: The Minister is adopting Fine Gael policy.

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Dec 2002)

James Bannon: I support the amendment to the Order of Business. I see no reason to rush the Bill through the House. When legislation is rushed through, an air of suspicion is created. There is a need for more clarity in regard to the Bill and we must ensure that the social elements it contains are not destroyed. There are 120,000 people waiting for houses and we must ensure that their aspirations are met....

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Dec 2002)

James Bannon: The Leader was taking our policies on board. This is an amendment to take Fine Gael's policies—

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Dec 2002)

James Bannon: I did not table an amendment because of a lack of time.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (11 Dec 2002)

James Bannon: I support these provisions. The purpose behind the 2000 Act was to introduce flexibility and allow for off-site provisions such as land swaps and cash payments to local authorities. This Bill addresses that aspect. Bricks and mortar do not unite people. Our concern is with social integration and in view of this it is important that people from all sections of the community become involved in...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (11 Dec 2002)

James Bannon: Will the Minister indicate if he has ordered an audit of all lands owned by local authorities?

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (11 Dec 2002)

James Bannon: Will the Minister introduce legislation to ring-fence development levies to be used in the particular development concerned? When the levy comes into the main coffers of a local authority it can go anywhere. It is important that the levies are spent in the development concerned.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (11 Dec 2002)

James Bannon: How does the Minister propose to collect the levy? This is a question I asked yesterday.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (11 Dec 2002)

James Bannon: The Minister did not explain how he proposes to collect the levies.