Results 321-340 of 394 for speaker:James Heffernan

Seanad: Chalara fraxinea (Ash Dieback Disease): Statements (15 Nov 2012)

James Heffernan: I extend a sincere welcome to the Minister of State whom I had not met previously. I note he is from County Meath which many would not regard as a traditional hurling stronghold. However, there are many pockets of proud hurling tradition in Meath. The battle scars which I bear testify to that.

Seanad: Chalara fraxinea (Ash Dieback Disease): Statements (15 Nov 2012)

James Heffernan: I once marked a man from County Meath who went on to captain the county in 2009 when it won the Nicky Rickard Cup and no ash was spared on that occasion. I note the Acting Chairman is from County Kerry, another county that is not noted for its hurling tradition. The best game of hurling I witnessed was between the respective counties of the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, and the Acting...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Nov 2012)

James Heffernan: I had intended to raise a different issue but I might get around to it during my address. During the Order of Business we regularly hear stories from our national newspapers, be it the Irish Independent or The Irish Times. They dominate what is said in the House and I find it annoying. The House should lead public opinion rather than be led by it. However, it would be remiss of me, having...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Nov 2012)

James Heffernan: The case has been well documented. The story resonated with me given the age of the woman and her husband and the fact that they were expecting their first child. It was a happy time for them. I know from my time spent working and teaching in England and from my experiences of the Hindu people that they are peace loving and abhor violence of any kind. This morning my thoughts and...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Nov 2012)

James Heffernan: I shall finish on my next point. I am not pro-choice. I am not pro-life. I find it difficult to understand what those terms mean. I speak for many members of the parliamentary party of the Labour Party when I say that we do not want to see abortion on demand but we cannot allow a repeat of the situation in Galway.

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Oct 2012)

James Heffernan: Speak to the amendment.

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Oct 2012)

James Heffernan: The Senator objects to allowances, on the one hand, and then, on the other, objects to them being removed.

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (10 Oct 2012)

James Heffernan: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit ar ais go dtí an Teach. Ar dtús, déanaim comhghairdeas leis an Aire Stáit, leis an Seanadóir Ó Domhnaill agus le muintir Thír Chonaill agus Dún na nGall agus leis an fhoireann peile ar fad. Bhí bua mór acu cúpla seachtain ó shin agus is dóigh liom go bhfuil na tinte chnámh fós ar lasadh ar na cnoic agus na sléibhte. The Minister of State...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Sep 2012)

James Heffernan: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach. It is interesting to hear some of the tributes paid to the former Minister of State, Deputy Shortall, this morning. It is as though the former Minister of State were dead. Deputy Shortall is not going anywhere but will remain a strong, valued and principled member of the Labour Party. I remember Deputy Shortall in opposition, when she opposed strongly the...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Sep 2012)

James Heffernan: She even hit out at elitism in this House, as she hit out at elitism in society. Deputy Shortall believes in the provision of primary care centres in areas of deprivation and for such centres to be provided in places where they are most needed. This often was not the way business was done in the past with previous Governments, when matters were decided on the basis that so doing would...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Sep 2012)

James Heffernan: Strokes.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Sep 2012)

James Heffernan: Exactly.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Sep 2012)

James Heffernan: That is what has disappointed and the apparent pulling of such a stroke may have been the straw that broke the camel's back. I for one agree with the stance taken by Deputy Shortall. She believes in a health service that treats the patient on the basis of his or her health needs and not on the depths of his or her pockets.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Sep 2012)

James Heffernan: I agree with such a basis. Moreover, I agree with previous speakers, namely, Senators Landy, Whelan and Kelly, as well as with my group leader, Senator Bacik, that the Minister could be invited to this House to participate in a debate and to try to explain to Members the reason it is taking so long to implement what was agreed by both parties in the programme for Government.

Seanad: Syrian Conflict: Statements (25 Sep 2012)

James Heffernan: I welcome the Minister of State back to the House. I strongly welcome the information he gave the House towards the end of his statement regarding the initiatives being taken today by the Arab League and Russia. This conflict has dragged on for 18 months and has claimed 20,000 lives, and violence continues to spread to more parts of the country. In August alone, 100,000 people fled Syria....

Seanad: Syrian Conflict: Statements (25 Sep 2012)

James Heffernan: I welcome the Minister of State back to the House. I strongly welcome the information he gave the House towards the end of his statement regarding the initiatives being taken today by the Arab League and Russia. This conflict has dragged on for 18 months and has claimed 20,000 lives, and violence continues to spread to more parts of the country. In August alone, 100,000 people fled Syria....

Seanad: Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Bill 2012: Second Stage (19 Jul 2012)

James Heffernan: I welcome the Minister and thank him for doing such important work in this regard. I welcome the fact that he will continue to pursue a 50:50 scheme and that he has committed himself wholeheartedly to doing so. I hope that he gets the same commitment from the religious orders. We do not seem to have got that up to now but I am sure that pressure will come to bear on them. I wish to read a...

Seanad: Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Bill 2012: Second Stage (19 Jul 2012)

James Heffernan: It is a bleak spot and difficult to find.

Seanad: Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Bill 2012: Second Stage (19 Jul 2012)

James Heffernan: I went there to reflect and pay my respects to the thousands of people who have passed through its gates. The industrial school was opened from 1885 to 1974. It was with great difficulty that I found the school because there was no signpost and nothing to indicate where it was.

Seanad: Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Bill 2012: Second Stage (19 Jul 2012)

James Heffernan: Exactly. It is like the place was swept under a rug and painted over so that we would all forget. After touring around the site I was disturbed to discover that there was no physical reminder to inform people and visitors of what went on there. Eventually I came across a sign for a graveyard up a side road and across from a building that housed the brothers that is now being used as a...