Results 241-260 of 394 for speaker:James Heffernan

Seanad: Situation in Gaza and Ukraine: Statements (31 Jul 2014)

James Heffernan: I do not agree with some of the previous contributions that the decision for Ireland to abstain from the UN vote on a commission of inquiry into Gaza last week was in the best interests of both Ireland and the European Union and how the member states of the European Union should stand together in matters of foreign policy. I shudder when I hear this type of rhetoric coming from Members,...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Jul 2014)

James Heffernan: I welcome our guests in the Visitors Gallery. I wish good luck to the Irish powerchair soccer team who are taking part in the European championships being held in the University of Limerick starting tonight. It is a minority sport and the issue of funding for minority sports needs to be examined. I attended a fantastic event near Dublin Castle last night when Alex Baburin, Ireland's Russian...

Seanad: Environmental Protection Agency: Motion (9 Jul 2014)

James Heffernan: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy McGinley, who is deputising for the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan. Maith thú for the excellent job you have done so far as the Minister of State with responsibility for the Gaeltacht and I hope you will continue in this role. I commend the Labour Party Senators, in particular Senators John Whelan and...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jul 2014)

James Heffernan: As I am sure the Cathaoirleach and many Members will be aware, some of the Leader organisations are in the capital today. They had a press conference this morning and will hold a demonstration at lunchtime and I hope to see Members of this House supporting them. In my own town of Kilfinane, the Leader group, Ballyhoura Development, is the major employer in the town. It is probably the only...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Jul 2014)

James Heffernan: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Jul 2014)

James Heffernan: I join with colleagues who have paid tribute to the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn. He has been a fantastic Minister and has had a fantastic innings in politics. While I might not agree with his merger of the Labour Party and the Democratic Left, that is a debate for another day. He has replaced dilapidated prefabricated buildings throughout the country with bricks and...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Jul 2014)

James Heffernan: The Taoiseach has a particular plum in his hand, which is in his gift only: the position of European Commissioner. Maybe the Minister, Deputy Quinn, is putting himself in line for the position. No. 22 on the Order Paper should be taken today as a matter of great urgency. It is a Bill which would give proper scrutiny to a position which, as reported in yesterday's Irish Independent in an...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Jul 2014)

James Heffernan: Yes.

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by Ms Catherine McGuinness (19 Jun 2014)

James Heffernan: I thank the Cathaoirleach for the fairness and indulgence he has shown to all speakers in this debate.

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by Ms Catherine McGuinness (19 Jun 2014)

James Heffernan: I am unsure how to address our distinguished guest. Should I call her-----

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by Ms Catherine McGuinness (19 Jun 2014)

James Heffernan: It is very nice to meet you, Catherine. I thank our guest and Senator Jillian van Turnhout for reminding me that politics is not completely futile and that there is light at the end of the tunnel in some cases. I agree with Ms McGuinness 100% that it was not the nuns who sent girls with crisis pregnancies to the mother and baby homes but their parents and grandparents. However, it would not...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2014)

James Heffernan: It costs the bones of €500,000 to do this. We were all issued iPads at a cost to the Exchequer. It is time to get with the programme. We do not need all of these papers. The information is outside or in the General Office if we need it. Let us stop wasting money and spend it where it is needed.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2014)

James Heffernan: I concur with Senator Denis Landy and call for the immediate publication of the report on the greyhound industry. I differ slightly with Senator Martin Conway on the banking inquiry. I wish Senator Marc MacSharry and Senator Sean D. Barrett, a man of the highest integrity, the best of luck. Following the shenanigans in the Chamber last week, it is time for Senator Michael D'Arcy to go to...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2014)

James Heffernan: -----and for Senator Susan O'Keeffe to take a boat trip on Lough Gill and consider the opposition to the inquiry.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2014)

James Heffernan: There was blatant disregard for democracy in this Chamber last week. I draw to the attention of the House an issue that has annoyed me every week since I became a Member. I have two bills from Government Publications last week, each for €8.89, giving a total of €17.78. Let us make it €20 and multiply it by 60. It amounts to €1,200 per day to have Bills printed...

Seanad: Order Of Business (12 Jun 2014)

James Heffernan: This is a joke.

Seanad: Order Of Business (12 Jun 2014)

James Heffernan: I propose to comment on the banking inquiry as it is turning into a fiasco. The Government has treated the Seanad and democratic institutions of the State in a reprehensible manner. A decision was made and the Government decided to change the rules and move the goalposts because it did not like it. If we are to be treated in this fashion, we have no place being here. It is a disgrace and...

Seanad: Order Of Business (12 Jun 2014)

James Heffernan: No, I wanted to make a comment. The Senators on the other side may call themselves democrats but they are à la cartedemocrats. This proposal is a complete joke.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (4 Jun 2014)

James Heffernan: -----of survivors, families and on our national psyche as a whole-----

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (4 Jun 2014)

James Heffernan: The only crime of these people was to be born of unmarried mothers and taken away. I have a question. Some months ago the House extended a kind invitation to Pope Francis to come and address us. If he is going to come I will welcome him with open arms. I am certainly not anti-clerical or anti-church but I am anti-cover-up.