Results 2,221-2,240 of 4,132 for speaker:Donie Cassidy

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2009)

Donie Cassidy: The by-election will have taken place before the first sitting day of the autumn session.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Jun 2009)

Donie Cassidy: The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on the night-time rural transport service, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business and to conclude not later than 5.15 p.m., with Senators having five minutes to speak, on which Senators may share time by agreement of the House, and the Minister to be called ten minutes from the conclusion of the debate for concluding comments and to...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (23 Jun 2009)

Donie Cassidy: Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Alex White, Norris, Doherty, Twomey, Bacik and McCarthy all called for time to discuss the up-to-date situation on Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin. I commend the committee on visiting the hospital this morning. It is something we were all delighted to see happening. There is nothing like meeting those on the front line and hearing at first hand what it...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (23 Jun 2009)

Donie Cassidy: New, young Members remind me of the old line that it is better to understand a little than misunderstand a lot.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (23 Jun 2009)

Donie Cassidy: The spirit of Lemass is alive and well and will prevail.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (23 Jun 2009)

Donie Cassidy: We all know what he did when in office. We know the enormous transformation of our country that took place under the former Taoiseach and former leader of Fianna Fáil, Seán Lemass.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (23 Jun 2009)

Donie Cassidy: The debate that was called for, in which all parties can debate their policies in the House, may not take two days. Some may not even take two hours. Having said that, every party should be given the opportunity and the Seanad is the ideal forum to tease out and discuss these. I will discuss with the leaders of various groups how this can be debated on a meaningful basis. If it is a...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (23 Jun 2009)

Donie Cassidy: There are a further 17 patients to be rehoused at the earliest possible time. Senator McFadden and I participated in an Adjournment debate on the matter and I congratulate the Senator for tabling it and the time she allowed me in the debate. On that occasion the Minister of State, Deputy Moloney, indicated that 17 more patients are to be rehoused in a further three new houses in...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (23 Jun 2009)

Donie Cassidy: The concert at Slane Castle over the weekend was a great success and more than 80,000 people turned out to see the magnificent concert staged. There are concerns and improvements are needed but a licence must be acquired to have concerts on a once-off basis. The successful record of concert attendance in Ireland over the past two or three years in particular is above the European average. I...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2009)

Donie Cassidy: The Order of Business is No. 1, Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008 - Report Stage, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business and to adjourn at 5 p.m., if not previously concluded; No. 35, Private Member's business, motion No. 33 regarding the dairy industry, to be taken at the conclusion of No.1 but not earlier than 5 p.m. and to conclude not later than 7 p.m. The debate on...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2009)

Donie Cassidy: Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, McCarthy and Buttimer expressed serious concerns about the HSE and I fully agree with much of what they said. I will have no difficulty in submitting a request to the Minister for Health and Children to update the House on all health services, if possible before the summer recess. Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, MacSharry, Healy Eames, Callely, Twomey and Walsh...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2009)

Donie Cassidy: We need to bear all of that in mind. I welcome this morning's announcement that €250 million will be provided for job retention measures. Given that the IMF report is imminent, this an ideal time to have a debate on these matters and I hope we will have an opportunity to do so before the summer recess. The Minister for Finance will be in the House tomorrow. I remind Senators that he was...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2009)

Donie Cassidy: Perhaps the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party will discuss how progress can be made in that regard. There is a huge responsibility on everyone, particularly the leaders I have mentioned, to make progress with social partnership. I will allow the longest possible time for a debate on the matter. I will also consider Senator Hanafin's proposal that the various parties should have an...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2009)

Donie Cassidy: I am speaking on the basis of my considerable experience in this area in my former place of work. Senator Quinn spoke about organ donation which I am delighted to hear is on the increase in other countries. I urge Senators to do everything they can to address and discuss the matter. Perhaps I will raise the issue at next Tuesday's meeting of party leaders. I am aware that every Member of...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2009)

Donie Cassidy: I did not interrupt the Senator.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2009)

Donie Cassidy: When walking into Mullingar hospital to visit a patient one feels delighted and proud that it is one of the best hospitals in the country. I compliment and commend all staff from the administrator down, including consultants and nurses, on the commonsense attitude that has been taken in the hospital. We are watching with baited breath to see how the Minister will reward Mullingar hospital....

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2009)

Donie Cassidy: It is fully occupied.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2009)

Donie Cassidy: I know what is happening in Mullingar. The Senator may know what is happening in parts of Athlone, but I can tell her what is definitively happening in Mullingar. I am not part of the whingeing brigade that comes out of County Westmeath; I am and have always been part of the positive element.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2009)

Donie Cassidy: I have given credit where it is due to every political party on the Order of Business of this House, but the facts speak for themselves. I reiterate the extending of congratulations to Mullingar regional hospital on being one of the top three preforming hospitals in the country. I will pass the strong views of Senators Regan and Norris on to the Minister concerned in regard to tendering. On...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jun 2009)

Donie Cassidy: Having 450,000 unemployed-----