Results 2,121-2,140 of 26,396 for speaker:David Cullinane

Seanad: Finance Bill 2013 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages (21 Mar 2013)

David Cullinane: The Minister mentioned regional airports. I will be so bold as to remind him there will be an application from Waterford Airport to extend and expand its runway. The Minister mentioned the importance of having runways of a particular size to ensure there is sufficient capacity for larger numbers of aircraft, perhaps up to 100. A lot of investment has been made in the south east, including...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2013 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages (21 Mar 2013)

David Cullinane: One of the impediments will be the size of the airport and its ability to deliver. The Minister mentioned earlier that some parts of the country are struggling and underperforming in comparison to other parts. We have problems everywhere. There is no doubt that those problems are magnified in Waterford and the south east. The same is true of Limerick and other areas. The importance of...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2013 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages (21 Mar 2013)

David Cullinane: There were a number of recommendations ruled out of order and there was a discussion in the Dáil between my party and the Government. The recommendations would simply tighten the criteria for the operation of the section.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2013 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages (21 Mar 2013)

David Cullinane: I am speaking to the section. We wanted to ensure that the people who should benefit see that benefit.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2013 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages (21 Mar 2013)

David Cullinane: The section deals with capital gains. First, I welcome the increase. It was one of the positive intiatives in the budget, but we wanted the Government to go further. In our alternative budget submission to the Government we called for an increase to 40%, a return to the rate that existed before Charlie McCreevy cut it to 20%. The Minister often asks us for alternatives when we criticise...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Mar 2013)

David Cullinane: I welcome the suicide prevention strategy for men, Mind our Men, which was published earlier by Pieta House. It is an important initiative, which should have the full support of all Oireachtas Members. It is a multi-platform training and education programme. As the people rolling out this campaign say, men do not engage with services and, therefore, any initiatives that will help men and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Skills Development: Discussion with Skillnets (26 Mar 2013)

David Cullinane: I welcome the witnesses. I am very supportive of the work that is being done in this area. It is very important, given our current situation. There is a role for a former agency that deals with developing skills in the employers group and the businesses themselves. That is very important. What is missing in Ireland, although some European countries are excellent at it, is fostering the...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Mar 2013)

David Cullinane: I wish Mr. Jimmy Walsh a very happy retirement. I am sure he will enjoy it and go on to do many different things and there may be a great book in him. The three Sinn Féin representatives in the Seanad have only been here for a short time and would not know him as long as some of those who have been here for many years. In the short time we have been here we have become friends. We will...

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

David Cullinane: That is because people lost their jobs.

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

David Cullinane: I look forward to that.

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

David Cullinane: Medical cards are not gifts from the Government. The Senator should provide some context.

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

David Cullinane: We suffer on his behalf.

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

David Cullinane: Judas.

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.

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

David Cullinane: He used the word "outrageous". I am quoting the word he used. What confuses me goes to the heart of this Bill, so perhaps the Minister will be able to help me. The Government promised universal health care, although through the private health insurance model. The programme for Government promises universal primary care, which will remove fees for GP care, and that it will be introduced...

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

David Cullinane: I am talking about the total cover.

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

David Cullinane: I am talking about the universal supports or the total health cover which is being removed. The point is that the Government promised people that they would have free GP care and universal health cover. That simply has not happened. It is disappointing that the Minister for Health is not present today because he has an interesting track record on this, which is worth recalling for Members....

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.