Results 561-580 of 7,765 for speaker:Maurice Cummins

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: The Minister for Health was in the House to take a Commencement matter prior to the Order of Business.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: It is not a question of the Minister avoiding Commencement debates.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: I will try to bring him in to discuss pancreas transplants and the fact that there is no surgeon at Beaumont. While everybody would welcome the fact that services are being transferred to St. Vincent's Hospital, there is a need for consultants. It is a problem not only regarding transplants. The lack of consultants being recruited is a major problem in our health services and will have to...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Hayden raised the funerals of the young people who died tragically in Berkeley. Some of the funerals are taking place today and our thoughts are with the parents involved, as they are with those commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Air India flight in which more than 300 people lost their lives. Senator Hayden also raised the observations of the UN Committee on Economic,...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: I am glad Sinn Féin has reviewed its position in Northern Ireland in that regard. Senators Paul Coghlan, Conway and others spoke about the future of historic houses. It is of paramount importance for tourism and also for our built heritage. It is important that proper boards are put in place. However, money is also required to afford the upkeep of these houses. Senator Conway...

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by Commissioner Phil Hogan (23 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: I will share my time with Senator Comiskey. I welcome the Commissioner to Seanad Éireann, a House in which he served from 1987 to 1989 and in which, as a Minister, he had many a robust and lengthy debate over the years. I compliment and congratulate Mr. Hogan on his appointment as Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development and on his work since his appointment, which has been...

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (23 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: At 10.30 tomorrow morning.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: It is proposed to take No. 1, motion re arrangements for the address to Seanad Éireann on 23 June 2015 by Mr. Phil Hogan, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, to be taken without debate on the conclusion of the Order of Business; and No. 1aon a supplementary Order Paper, Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety (Amendment) Bill 2015 - Order for Second Stage...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: We will hear from Senator Daly in a minute. He will have his chance.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: To defer 1a.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: Yes, to defer 1a.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: That is not true.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: The Cathaoirleach clarified the question raised by Senator Darragh O’Brien on Commencement debates. I will bring the reply he received to the attention of the Minister and his office. I cannot do anything further than that.At a meeting of the Government on 16 June last, it was agreed that a petroleum (exploration and extraction) safety (amendment) Bill would be published. This...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: In view of the strong representations that have been made by Members on this Bill, I am proposing to remove it from the Order Paper and defer our consideration of it until an opportune time next week.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: I know that departmental officials made themselves available for oral briefings on the Bill yesterday. Nevertheless, I think the Members of the House have been given insufficient time to deal with this technical legislation.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: We will deal with it next week. Unfortunately, that leaves us with just one motion to deal with under today's Order of Business.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: The Senator might let me reply. He has had his say. I will come to him in a second. Senator Bacik raised a number of items, including the unveiling of a bust of Václav Havel in Leinster House this afternoon. Senator Daly spoke about the papal encyclical on climate change and the Pope's comments on the matter this morning. I prefer not to reply to the points made by Senators on the...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: Therefore, the sale of the paintings was presented to the Minister as a fait accompli. The Senator is right in his assertion that a member of the National Gallery and a member of An Taisce were on the board that made that decision.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: I am puzzled by it. It is incredible that the board made such a decision without informing the Minister. I think it is absolutely disgraceful. The Minister was told that as a contract has been entered into, it is a fait accompli. The trustees have said they could be caught for a £1.4 million contract with Christie's if they opt out of the contract.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: She has met the chair. As I mentioned, this is what she was told.