Results 21-40 of 394 for speaker:James Heffernan

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2015)

James Heffernan: I do not disagree with the bona fides of the Minister of State that it is in the best interests of the child, but it is only in the best interests of the child if the child comes from a nuclear family.According to the migrant body to which I spoke, not many refugee families fit that model. There may be family reunification issues that have the potential to split families up. That is not...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Dec 2015)

James Heffernan: To follow on from that, I, on the other hand, quite welcome yesterday's ruling in Northern Ireland. To be honest, it is quite sensible that a medical intervention for the termination of pregnancy in cases of rape, incest or fatal foetal abnormality be allowed. That is right and proper, and sensible. That is the position of most right-minded individuals on the island. On the education...

Seanad: Legal Services Regulation Bill 2011: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2015)

James Heffernan: I initially intended to submit an amendment to delete section 24 in its entirety. It is an extraordinary section in that it provides for private employees to be become fully pensioned civil servants without any assessment or competition. From speaking to colleagues and others, I understand the last time this was done was when Charlie Haughey nationalised the staff of a motor factors...

Seanad: Legal Services Regulation Bill 2011: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2015)

James Heffernan: I move amendment No. 1 to amendment No. 153:In section 158(1), after “No professional code” to insert “or regulation”.

Seanad: Legal Services Regulation Bill 2011: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2015)

James Heffernan: On the section, Senator van Turnhout was very au fait with many of the deliberations involved and asked me to give her some cover in the Chamber today as she is unable to attend for various reasons. On section 158, I am glad the Minister has clarified that it was under direct threat from the European Commission. I was a little concerned about whether fines had been issued but she has...

Seanad: Legal Services Regulation Bill 2011: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2015)

James Heffernan: I move amendment No. 3 to amendment No. 153:In section 158(8)(b), to delete “electronic address or any information provided by the legal practitioner that is accessible electronically” and substitute “any advertisement provided by the legal practitioner that is accessible electronically”. On that-----

Seanad: Legal Services Regulation Bill 2011: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2015)

James Heffernan: Has it been discussed already?

Seanad: Legal Services Regulation Bill 2011: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2015)

James Heffernan: Okay.

Seanad: Legal Services Regulation Bill 2011: Committee Stage (19 Nov 2015)

James Heffernan: No.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2015)

James Heffernan: I welcome Amy Rose Harte to the Gallery. If Jimmy were here, he would be having a great time talking about the qualification last night, and I am sure he would be giving me a bit of a ribbing for Limerick's capitulation when the team went to Ballybofey to play Finn Harps. Ba mhaith liom a rá leis an Seanadóir Ní Chathail, a clann agus a cairde agus le Páirtí an...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Policing Matters: Garda Commissioner (11 Nov 2015)

James Heffernan: The last time the Garda Commissioner came before the committee I asked her whether the Provisional IRA existed. It has since come to pass after various incidents that the organisation's existence has been confirmed. Does the Commissioner have information about a formal disbandment of the Provisional IRA structures? Is she aware of this? It is my contention that no criminal organisation,...

Seanad: Marriage Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Oct 2015)

James Heffernan: This is all something of a carry-on. I appeal to Members on the other side of the House-----

Seanad: Marriage Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Oct 2015)

James Heffernan: If possible, can they allow these people present to go away for a well deserved drink and get this Bill passed as soon as possible?

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (21 Oct 2015)

James Heffernan: I support this amendment. We can have all the documents and legislation in the world but we cannot achieve much if we are not serious about tackling climate change and enacting climate change legislation. That is the problem I have with this Bill. I like the spirit of the Bill but if proper targets are not written into the legislation, there is no incentive to fulfil the obligations...

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (21 Oct 2015)

James Heffernan: I cannot see any reason why this amendment will not be accepted by the Minister of State. It seems reasonable that an advisory council that is being set up by the Government will be consulted. This is what the whole idea of setting up an advisory council should be. Section 7(2)(b) provides that the Minister shall consult but the Government does not have to. I do not see where that gets...

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (21 Oct 2015)

James Heffernan: The make-up and membership of the advisory council is one of the main flaws in this legislation and it flies in the face of what the Bill is trying to achieve. There will be an advisory council that is basically hand-picked by the Government of the day or by people who have been appointed to various other bodies by the Government of the day. We will end up with a lot of company men and...

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (21 Oct 2015)

James Heffernan: I am disappointed because I have seen how the EPA operates. It granted a licence to Aughinish Alumina, a known polluter in my area.

Seanad: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015: Committee Stage (21 Oct 2015)

James Heffernan: People's livelihoods have been destroyed. I have seen evidence of questionable practice where people's health has been put severely at risk by that polluter in that area. The Environmental Protection Agency gave it a licence requiring a bond in case of a major catastrophe involving its waste ponds. That section of the licence agreement was subsequently deleted and a licence without any...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Oct 2015)

James Heffernan: Ah, give over, Rónán. Jesus.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Oct 2015)

James Heffernan: At this time of year there is the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, a time when we think of loved ones who have passed. Those of the Catholic tradition will visit the graves of dead family members and friends in the next couple of weeks. I spoke to one such mother this morning. It is with her permission that I refer to the murder of her son, Paul Quinn, on this day in 2007. He was lured...