Results 361-380 of 394 for speaker:James Heffernan

Seanad: Investment in Education: Motion (8 Feb 2012)

James Heffernan: Let us not go down that road. The Senator's party is grasping at straws and floundering. Every week we see a new stunt. A former Minister is proposing to go to jail for refusing to pay the septic tank charge. This is how the Fianna Fáil Members approach politics, especially on Private Members' time. Last year voters young and old, rural and urban, completely rejected them.

Seanad: Investment in Education: Motion (8 Feb 2012)

James Heffernan: Eleven months later they expect us to wave a magic wand.

Seanad: Investment in Education: Motion (8 Feb 2012)

James Heffernan: The voters said they had enough of Fianna Fáil.

Seanad: Investment in Education: Motion (8 Feb 2012)

James Heffernan: I apologise.

Seanad: Investment in Education: Motion (8 Feb 2012)

James Heffernan: Shortly after the election, Fianna Fáil's leader in the other House pledged to act progressively and responsibly in opposition but unfortunately that has not happened. I understand the adversarial nature of politics but given our current position, we should be able to work together on some issues rather than introduce politically motivated motions. I remind the House that we would not be...

Seanad: Investment in Education: Motion (8 Feb 2012)

James Heffernan: I recognise that some in government gave commitments prior to the election.

Seanad: Investment in Education: Motion (8 Feb 2012)

James Heffernan: The fact remains that the previous Government cost us our economy, our competitiveness and our reputation.

Seanad: Investment in Education: Motion (8 Feb 2012)

James Heffernan: Easy now, I did not interrupt other speakers. All the parties in this House have agreed to the debt reduction targets set out by the troika. We are certainly not happy with them but that is another story. We accept them and we must meet them. The Departments of Education and Skills, Social Protection and Health account for 70% of public expenditure. Spending has to be reduced. The...

Seanad: Investment in Education: Motion (8 Feb 2012)

James Heffernan: The review was initiated by Mary Coughlan.

Seanad: Investment in Education: Motion (8 Feb 2012)

James Heffernan: They are amalgamating already.

Seanad: EU Fiscal Compact Treaty: Statements, Questions and Answers (7 Feb 2012)

James Heffernan: I thank the Minister of State for once again attending the Seanad and engaging with Members on the detail of the legislation that will come before the House. In putting this question, I am playing the Devil's advocate. While it may be a hypothetical situation, there is a push to have this issue put to a referendum of the people, regardless of what the Attorney General states. I received a...

Seanad: Local Government Reform: Statements, Questions and Answers (1 Feb 2012)

James Heffernan: I thank the Minister for his presentation and recent visit to County Limerick. I was not there to meet him, for which I hope he accepts my apology. The Minister has said there are two distinct elements to local government, the first being effective and accountable democratic representation. From my colleagues I understand that in County Donegal there are 65 town and county councillors and...

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (26 Jan 2012)

James Heffernan: I welcome the Minister to the House and thank him for the comprehensive briefing. As many Members know, the agricultural sector is hugely beneficial to local rural economies. The contribution made by farmers cannot be overestimated. Farming and agriculture are the life blood of rural Ireland. The Minister stated one will not see many millionaires farming and that is true. When one...

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (26 Jan 2012)

James Heffernan: This is not a matter for the Minister. It is a farming organisation.

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (30 Nov 2011)

James Heffernan: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Ring, to the House once again. It is great to have him back and I wish him continued success in his important work. As the Minister of State said in his address, this technical Bill aims to increase the amount of money that can be allocated to Fáilte Ireland to provide more state-of-the-art tourism facilities and a corresponding infrastructure. On...

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (30 Nov 2011)

James Heffernan: In my constituency there is the mystical Lough Gur and Ballyhoura mountain bike trails. There are also various festivals taking place in many towns and villages throughout the country. I could go on but it is vital we use this resource as best we can, getting the best return from it, especially given our current economic position. This summer I travelled a good deal of the country and I...

Seanad: Road Transport Bill 2011: Second Stage (29 Nov 2011)

James Heffernan: As previous speakers said, the Bill seems to have been hurried and rushed. However, I welcome the Minister's commitment to introduce more considered road transport legislation next year. Road haulage is an important part of the economy. There are 25,000 large vehicles on the roads, operated by hauliers here and elsewhere in Europe. The number employed in the industry is significant....

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

James Heffernan: A translation service is provided anyway. The problem is we have to listen to the Senator twice saying the same thing in Irish and then English.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

James Heffernan: He is only interrupting himself.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2011)

James Heffernan: Is this part of the amendment?