Results 581-600 of 7,765 for speaker:Maurice Cummins

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: That might happen. One would never know what might happen there. I am not the Minister, but I think it is ludicrous-----

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Leyden has had his say and made his point. There is no point in chirping in like a peacock at every opportunity.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: I have replied to the best of my ability with a factual reply. I hope the Senator takes it on board.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Craughwell spoke about the employment status of councillors and mentioned a specific case. There is no doubt that the employment status of councillors needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. Councillors are told that they are paid an allowance, rather than a salary, and that they have to pay tax, PRSI and USC on that allowance. Senator Paul Coghlan mentioned that the Local...

Seanad: Business of Seanad (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: I propose a suspension of approximately 15 minutes. The decision not to adopt the Order of Business has a bearing on next Tuesday's business. No. 1 on the agenda was to bring the Commissioner into the House on Tuesday. Perhaps I could return in 15 minutes with a suggestion for the House to deal with the matter.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: The proposal is not about the Minister, it is about the ordering of business.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: No.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: We will certainly do that.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: That is the amendment that I will return with at 1.30 p.m.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: Also, my office is trying to ascertain whether the Minister, Deputy Heather Humphreys, will be available today. I cannot propose an amendment until we have that information from her office. That is what I will be doing in the 15 minutes.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: I am proposing to suspend the House.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: I propose that No. 1, motion re arrangements for the address to Seanad Éireann by Mr. Phil Hogan, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, on 23 June, be taken now without debate; and that No. 1bon a Supplementary Order Paper, statements on the Beit collection, as requested by the House, be taken at 4.30 p.m., to conclude no later than 5.30 p.m., with all Senators'...

Seanad: Address by Commissioner Phil Hogan: Motion (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: I move: That Seanad Éireann agrees with the recommendation of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges that, in accordance with the provisions for the address to Seanad Éireann by Distinguished Persons, Mr. Phil Hogan, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, be invited to address Seanad Éireann, and the following arrangements shall apply:(i) the Seanad...

Seanad: Address by Commissioner Phil Hogan: Motion (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: I propose the suspension of the House until 4.30 p.m.

Seanad: Beit Collection: Statements (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: I welcome the Minister to the House. We have had a display of the usual bluff, bluster and playing to the gallery ---

Seanad: Beit Collection: Statements (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: --- from Senator Leyden, as is usual with him. The Minister has clarified in her statement the whole sequence of events. The fact that the paintings are now in an auction house in London obviously makes it difficult for her to take any action. The board of the Alfred Beit Foundation was complimented by the Minister on its work on the restoration and upkeep of Russborough House but I am...

Seanad: Beit Collection: Statements (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: It was news to many people when the foundation clarified that while 17 masterpieces were donated by Sir Alfred and Lady Beit to the National Gallery of Ireland in 1985, the foundation itself is the owner of the paintings that have been offered for sale. These paintings were not left to the State by the Beits, which was news to quite a lot of people.

Seanad: Beit Collection: Statements (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: The fact that these paintings have not been seen by the public and have been held in storage for almost 20 years is a damning indictment of the foundation.If they are such wonderful paintings, which they are, by Rubens and others, surely a home could be found for them, if Russborough could not do it, in the National Gallery itself.

Seanad: Beit Collection: Statements (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: The Senator will have enough time to speak.

Seanad: Beit Collection: Statements (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: Why interrupt me every time I try to speak? Everybody will have a chance to speak. There is no monopoly on time. I compliment the Minister on coming to the House. Is there any action she can take? I am aware she has met the chairperson of the foundation. Is there action she can take, under law or whatever way, to prevent these paintings leaving the country? I know people have entered...