Results 181-200 of 7,604 for speaker:James Bannon

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage (11 Jun 2015)

James Bannon: It closed 288 post offices. Since we took over, only 22 post offices have closed nationwide. The Longford-Westmeath constituency backs up this statistic. Since 2011 there has been no post office closure in either county, whereas over the three-year period from 2005 to 2008, Fianna Fáil managed to close six offices in Westmeath and three in Longford. Deputy Troy also asked the...

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage (11 Jun 2015)

James Bannon: I welcome the Minister. Before speaking on this legislation, I wish to counter some of the claims made by my constituency colleague, Deputy Troy. In the interest of clarity, it must be noted that between 2005 and 2010 Fianna Fáil closed 288 post offices. Since then, only two post offices have closed nationwide.

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage (11 Jun 2015)

James Bannon: I refer to the misinformation given to this House earlier.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Citizens Information Board: Chairperson Designate (10 Jun 2015)

James Bannon: I welcome Ms Mangan to the meeting and I compliment her on her new role as chairman of the CIB. What are her views on the overall restructuring of the agency, regionalisation and so on? Does she intend to work with small rural post offices, which are under threat at the moment, and encourage people to use their post office, etc.? That would be important because they are important in rural...

Order of Business (10 Jun 2015)

James Bannon: In the absence of employment opportunities in rural areas, the Minister last year announced the Action Plan for Jobs for the regions. It is important that we continually encourage people to upskill and be prepared for new opportunities in the regions.

Order of Business (10 Jun 2015)

James Bannon: When will the apprenticeship Bill be brought before the House?

Draft Commission of Investigation (Certain matters concerning transactions entered into by IBRC) Order 2015: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jun 2015)

James Bannon: The Deputy knows all about it.

Draft Commission of Investigation (Certain matters concerning transactions entered into by IBRC) Order 2015: Motion (9 Jun 2015)

James Bannon: The Government embarked on the long road of reducing the costly legacy of Fianna Fáil, whose members buried their heads in the sand, as the Deputies opposite are trying to do again, about the nationalised Anglo Irish bank. Fianna Fáil Deputies have the neck to try to accuse the Government of not being close enough to IBRC and its workings. I am astonished by their short memories,...

Draft Commission of Investigation (Certain matters concerning transactions entered into by IBRC) Order 2015: Motion (9 Jun 2015)

James Bannon: I listened to Deputies Keaveney and Creighton speak about the arrogance of the Government.

Draft Commission of Investigation (Certain matters concerning transactions entered into by IBRC) Order 2015: Motion (9 Jun 2015)

James Bannon: The Deputies forgot to bring a mirror to the Chamber to take a look at themselves as they are probably the two most arrogant people on the globe. It is a matter of public interest that taxpayers learn the full details of the transactions that were undertaken on their behalf by IBRC. The damage done by the toxic banks will take many years to undo. The Minister for Finance summed up the...

Draft Commission of Investigation (Certain matters concerning transactions entered into by IBRC) Order 2015: Motion (9 Jun 2015)

James Bannon: Discussion in this House so far has been limited on the matter and therefore I am very pleased that we now have the opportunity to debate properly the commission of investigation into IBRC. This commission of investigation has dominated the national airwaves, print and social media in recent weeks. I firmly believe that the Government's recent decision to establish a full commission of...

Leaders' Questions (9 Jun 2015)

James Bannon: Listen to the banker.

Aer Lingus Share Disposal: Motion (Resumed) (28 May 2015)

James Bannon: It has been on the agenda of former taoisigh for years. In one of his party's manifestos, the former Taoiseach, Albert Reynolds, promised to develop Abbeyshrule airfield. The poor man has passed away and may his soul rest in peace. However, very little happened to develop that airfield, even during Mr. Reynolds' years as Minister for Industry and Commerce and later as Taoiseach. The site...

Aer Lingus Share Disposal: Motion (Resumed) (28 May 2015)

James Bannon: -----but we need a little action as we go forward.

Aer Lingus Share Disposal: Motion (Resumed) (28 May 2015)

James Bannon: I thank the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for staying in the Chamber throughout the debate on the sale of Aer Lingus. He has listened to every point of view on the matter. A number of Deputies noted the absence of Fianna Fáil Members from the House. After three or four hours of debate, I welcome Deputy Dooley back to the Chamber.

Aer Lingus Share Disposal: Motion (Resumed) (28 May 2015)

James Bannon: I recently read the report of the Government steering group on the State's minority shareholding. The IAG offer price is an acceptable one and if the proposed sale goes ahead I believe some of the funds raised should be redistributed to our smaller airports and airfields. An example of a regional airfield with excellent potential is Abbeyshrule airstrip in County Longford, which has been in...

Aer Lingus Share Disposal: Motion (Resumed) (28 May 2015)

James Bannon: Recently we had the outstanding news that Center Parcs is planning to establish a new holiday resort in Newcastle Woods, County Longford. Not only will this project provide 1,700 new jobs but it will also offer an opportunity to create a valuable infrastructure development for the midlands by expanding the Abbeyshrule airstrip. At a time when we are trying to attract foreign visitors via...

Aer Lingus Share Disposal: Motion (Resumed) (28 May 2015)

James Bannon: I have been involved with the drive to expand the capacity of Abbeyshrule airstrip for many years. A feasibility study of the airfield was carried out in recent years, which indicated that an extension to the existing runway could turn the airfield into a commercial hub for the entire region. Like the west, Limerick, Cork and Dublin, we need an airport in the midlands.

Order of Business (28 May 2015)

James Bannon: The Deputy has agreed to withdraw it.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (27 May 2015)

James Bannon: 100. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the process a person (details supplied) in County Longford should follow in relation to the Irish short-stay visa waiver programme. [20898/15]