Results 2,561-2,580 of 4,132 for speaker:Donie Cassidy

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2009)

Donie Cassidy: Senators Fitzgerald, Donohoe, Keaveney, Twomey, Feeney and Buttimer all expressed the shock and horror of Members at what happened to Adrian Ronan, his wife and family and the horrific ordeal they experienced over the past 36 hours. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Dermot Ahern, or a Minister of State will be in the House this afternoon on Committee Stage of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2009)

Donie Cassidy: I fully understand some Senators have never hit a golf ball and yet pretend to know quite a bit about it.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2009)

Donie Cassidy: Can I give Senators the benefit——

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2009)

Donie Cassidy: I say to the Senator, who, like me, is a former Deputy, that I was president of the first golf club in Ireland that gave equal membership to women. I speak from a position of considerable strength and knowledge in this regard.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2009)

Donie Cassidy: That is very obvious. Senator Donohoe spoke on the Exchequer returns. It is an alarming fact that 48% of people do not pay any income tax. It is a fact also that 4% pay 50% of all income tax. Senator Norris spoke on the Corrib gas field and An Bord Pleanála. I understand that clarification has been sought from Shell by An Bord Pleanála with regard to this. I may be incorrect and I will...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2009)

Donie Cassidy: We must deal with the facts and these are the facts as far as I know.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2009)

Donie Cassidy: I will clarify the matter ahead of tomorrow's Order of Business. Regarding the Army, the Minister for Defence will introduce a Bill in the House, business that I needed to defer until two weeks' time because we are taking the NAMA legislation next week. We can congratulate the Army on the excellent work that it has done for generations. Senator O'Sullivan outlined an important issue and...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2009)

Donie Cassidy: Senators have referred to the question of some employers changing their employees' contracts. This is a new dimension and challenge that the House must discuss in the context of our debate on the economy. Senator Mullen mentioned European law and the issue of crucifixes in schools. As he correctly pointed out, the protocols inserted in the Lisbon treaty by the Taoiseach, the Minister for...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2009)

Donie Cassidy: The people deserve to be told the truth of the news. Some 30 minutes of good news might not be enough.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2009)

Donie Cassidy: Senator Bradford asked for a debate on social partnership. The committee deals with this matter and will have its final meeting on Seanad reform with the Minister at 4 p.m. We can discuss the issue to determine how to proceed. Senator Ellis suggested that we debate the proposed EU legislation. Following the signing of the treaty by all 27 member states——

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2009)

Donie Cassidy: ——each member state has two full months in which to make its views known to the Commissioner in charge of this portfolio. The Seanad can play an important role in that we can be the central chamber for scrutinising EU legislation with the Minister present.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2009)

Donie Cassidy: As Leader, I do not have that discretion. However, I will table it before the Committee on Procedure and Privileges for discussion. We can take it from there.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2009)

Donie Cassidy: I have covered Senator Ellis's proposal on the Chamber being used for the scrutiny of EU legislation. We could make considerable progress and make the Seanad relevant to all EU legislation. Senator Healy Eames asked for a debate on the challenges facing students. She stated that 50 students drop out every month from——

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2009)

Donie Cassidy: If that is the case, it is an alarming statistic and I would have no difficulty in arranging a debate on education. The success of future generations depends on the quality of their education.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2009)

Donie Cassidy: I will revert to the Senator tomorrow.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (4 Nov 2009)

Donie Cassidy: I welcome the introduction of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009. I shall address specific sections of the Bill before making more general observations. Section 7 recommends that material amendments to county development plans require the support of two thirds of the total number of councillors as opposed to a simple majority. As this will involve two thirds of all local...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (4 Nov 2009)

Donie Cassidy: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: Mortgage and Debt Support Measures: Motion (4 Nov 2009)

Donie Cassidy: Ag 10.30 maidin amárach.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Nov 2009)

Donie Cassidy: The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on the education and training responses to the economic downturn, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business and conclude not later than 1 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the contributions of spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes, those of all other Senators not to exceed seven minutes, on which Senators may share time and with...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Nov 2009)

Donie Cassidy: Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Hannigan, Boyle, Walsh, O'Donovan, Twomey, Regan, Callely, Quinn, Bradford and Ross expressed various views and concerns on the Order of Business. I join Senators in congratulating "Morning Ireland" on 25 years of excellent broadcasting. I congratulate, in particular, those pioneers David Hanley and David Davin-Power who helped to launch the programme. I also...