Results 24,641-24,660 of 26,796 for speaker:David Cullinane

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Apr 2013)

David Cullinane: -----to stand up for the people of this State. It is shocking that the Minister for Finance will not use his vote, the 15% shareholding which belongs to the people of this State, and stand up for the majority of people in this State who will not agree with the huge salary that will be signed off on today by the banks. Although I agree it is important that ordinary shareholders show...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Apr 2013)

David Cullinane: -----it is also important that the State shows social solidarity and the Minister should do exactly that today.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Job Losses (23 Apr 2013)

David Cullinane: I thank the Minister of State for his lengthy and comprehensive response. This is an important issue for the people of Waterford but nobody in that county blames the Government for the fact that this company made this decision. We all accept that the company took a decision to consolidate its business in this State, whether we like it or not. That decision is very unpalatable for the...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Job Losses (23 Apr 2013)

David Cullinane: I welcome the Minister of State back to the House. He will be aware that, unfortunately, Diageo has announced that it is ceasing its operations at the Waterford facility. That news came as a shock to the workforce. Some 35 direct and indirect jobs will go if this closure goes ahead. It also came as a shock to the people of Waterford, a city with 25% unemployment, which is facing an...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2013)

David Cullinane: I am very pleased that Senator D'Arcy is building bridges of his own across the political divide. I support him in the call he has made for common sense to prevail and for people to stop playing games with this issue which is far too important. I raise the issue of social housing and housing in general. On a number of occasions in this House the Sinn Féin party has raised the issue of...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (18 Apr 2013)

David Cullinane: I welcome the Minister to the House. I intended to rise to support the Bill, but having listened to Senators Crown, Norris and Barrett they have challenged my analysis of the proposed legislation. I will listen to the Minister's response before I make up my mind. The Bill has two primary functions, the first is that it provides the Minister with additional powers to combat the promotion of...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Apr 2013)

David Cullinane: Last week Diageo announced that it would close its manufacturing plant in Waterford city. As many know, there has been a long tradition of brewing in Waterford. The plant mentioned which produces the concentrate, or the essence of Guinness, which is exported all over the world, has been in operation for hundreds of years. Some 35 jobs are to go, while I understand production will be...

Seanad: Mortgage Arrears: Motion (17 Apr 2013)

David Cullinane: You can take the man out of Fianna Fáil.

Seanad: Mortgage Arrears: Motion (17 Apr 2013)

David Cullinane: I do not get my information from the dispatches. I get it from ordinary families who arrive in my constituency office every week in ever-growing numbers. These are people who cannot afford to pay their mortgages and are in mortgage distress. It is very clear to those families that this Government does not fully understand the depth of the mortgage distress crisis in this State. The...

Seanad: Mortgage Arrears: Motion (17 Apr 2013)

David Cullinane: The Senator obviously does not know what is going on.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Apr 2013)

David Cullinane: -----and dealing with real waste in the system, which is what the Government when in opposition promised to do? Will the Leader give those commitments? The vast majority of public sector workers-----

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Apr 2013)

David Cullinane: -----will not tolerate any attempt by this House or the Dáil to force through unfair, unjust pay cuts which will deeply impact on working families who simply do not have any more to give.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Apr 2013)

David Cullinane: As a member of the Constitutional Convention and as someone who attended every sitting of the convention, with the exception of the opening, I put on record my full confidence in the operation and workings of the convention and the fair and balanced way in which the issues have been discussed and debated. That has been my experience. I refer to the second Croke Park agreement, or Croke Park...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Job Creation Issues (27 Mar 2013)

David Cullinane: There is a clear focus on the region. Much of it comes from within the region or is driven by the Minister's Department. I acknowledge the key role played by the Minister, but there is a sense that the enterprise agencies could do more. For example, the availability of property solutions has been cited as an impediment. If so, we should consider how to develop property solutions across...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Job Creation Issues (27 Mar 2013)

David Cullinane: I warmly welcome the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Bruton, and I thank him for the work he is doing in respect of the south east. He chairs a forum which brings together many of the key stakeholders in the region with a view to creating jobs and promoting economic development. I am aware that there may be a very positive announcement in respect of Waterford tomorrow...

Seanad: Philantrophy and Fund-raising: Motion (27 Mar 2013)

David Cullinane: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after ??Seanad Éireann?? and substitute the following:"Welcomes:? a national debate on the current context and challenges facing the not-for-profit sector with regards to philanthropy, fund-raising, sponsorship and private giving in Ireland;notes? the publication in May 2012 under the auspices of the Department of Environment, Community and Local...

Seanad: Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Bill 2013: Second Stage (27 Mar 2013)

David Cullinane: Perhaps we might discuss that matter next week when the people have passed judgment on all parties in government and in opposition.

Seanad: Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Bill 2013: Second Stage (27 Mar 2013)

David Cullinane: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. Unfortunately, my welcomes will end there. I do not support this Bill and will outline my reasons to the Minister of State. Modest adjustments are not what we were promised, incidentally. We were promised profound change. I glanced quickly through the programme for Government before this debate to remind myself of what the Government and both...

Seanad: Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Bill 2013: Second Stage (27 Mar 2013)

David Cullinane: This must be the fourth or fifth time I have got to my feet after sitting and listening to other Members without interrupting them-----

Seanad: Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Bill 2013: Second Stage (27 Mar 2013)

David Cullinane: ----but they seem to think that is what should be done when I get to my feet. That is okay, but I will ask the Chair's indulgence to be given a few minutes to make my contribution. Senator Gilroy mentioned the decision by the Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrats Government to extend medical card eligibility to people over 70 years of age without a means test and described it as outrageous.