Results 281-300 of 7,765 for speaker:Maurice Cummins

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Nov 2015)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Quinn raised the issue of the new provisions for J1 visas which may have a disadvantage for young people going to America. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade has expressed concerns in that regard but I will bring this to his attention. Senator Quinn also welcomed the sale of Avoca, an Irish company, which has done so well over the years. It is welcome to see an American...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Nov 2015)

Maurice Cummins: Senators Kelly and Bradford highlighted the rise in the cost of motor, home and other insurance premia. Senator Kelly called for the motor insurance advisory board to be reactivated. I agree with him that there is a need for an investigation. I know the relevant joint Oireachtas committee has called for an investigation. I will endeavour to have the Minister come to the House to discuss...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Nov 2015)

Maurice Cummins: The all-party approach was there well in advance of the motions that were put down. We appreciate certainly-----

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Nov 2015)

Maurice Cummins: I appreciate the fact Senator Craughwell has been appointed a rapporteur on PRSI for councillors. I am sure he will do an excellent job on that. As I said, the all-party group met with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly, on this and made a strong case for the matter, as well as for remuneration for councillors. We all know that councillors...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Nov 2015)

Maurice Cummins: That may be true. There are quite a number of-----

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Nov 2015)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Craughwell is getting very excited. As Senator Wilson said, there are many Members in this House who were on local authorities.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Nov 2015)

Maurice Cummins: Many Members realise the workload of councillors.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Nov 2015)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Moran raised the issue of retired gardaí having a role, a point with which I agree. I also agree with the need for equality in the broadcasting of women's sports where RTE and other outlets are concerned. On her own town, Dundalk, which she rightly mentions at every possible opportunity, it has had excellent news on jobs and sport over the past several months. We wish the town...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Nov 2015)

Maurice Cummins: I assure the Senator that Galway will have a big fight on its hands to win.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Nov 2015)

Maurice Cummins: In respect of judges with personal interests in banks, I would have thought that any judges with such interests would disqualify themselves from any cases in which they might be involved. However, I will certainly inquire further with the Minister in respect of this matter. I respect the independence of the Judiciary and I am sure that any judge who has a personal interest in any matter...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2015)

Maurice Cummins: The Order of Business is No. 1, the Child Care (Amendment) 2015 - Committee Stage, to be taken at 1.15 p.m. and to be adjourned no later than 3 p.m., if not previously concluded; No. 2, the National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015 – Committee Stage, to be taken at 3 p.m. and to be adjourned no later than 4.30 p.m., if not previously concluded; and No. 3, Private...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2015)

Maurice Cummins: I acknowledge the comments made by Senators MacSharry, Comiskey and Michael Mullins regarding the delay in farm payments. It has been suggested that this is due to the digitising of information but I will clarify the situation with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and, hopefully, the matter will be addressed in early course. I appreciate the problems facing farmers and...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2015)

Maurice Cummins: May the best region or city jump the fence. I am certainly hoping that it will be the Three Sisters 2020 project.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2015)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Ó Clochartaigh spoke on Traveller accommodation and I note his points. I am sure the matter is being addressed by the joint committee. On the Senator's call for a further debate on fishing, I will try to get the Minister to come to the House on that matter. I note the Senator's points about the huge trawler that is fishing off the west coast and about inquiring as to what...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2015)

Maurice Cummins: When people are voting, they will consider the type of policies enunciated by people.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2015)

Maurice Cummins: On the issue of housing raised by Senator Healy Eames, we will have the debate on the tenancies Bill and €3.5 billion has been set aside for housing. Several projects are already up and running but, unfortunately, one cannot say, "Gillie, gillie, here is a house". They have to be built and it takes time.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2015)

Maurice Cummins: They are being built already.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2015)

Maurice Cummins: Houses are being built already, as I said, in many places. It is a bit rich coming from Senator Walsh-----

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2015)

Maurice Cummins: It is a bit rich for Senator Walsh to say that when he was on the council, they were building council houses by the dozen. When he went off the council, his Government stopped building local authority houses so maybe he should go back on it again. I note Senator Comiskey's points about farm payments. Senator Noone welcomed another 300 jobs in Dublin. I note her points on the Dublin city...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Nov 2015)

Maurice Cummins: The Order of Business is No. 1, the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Bill 2013 – Second Stage, to be taken at 4.45 p.m. with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed five minutes.