Results 241-260 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Mar 2003)

Martin Cullen: I thank the Senators for their contributions. Senator Kitt put it succinctly when he said that Members were either for the dual mandate or they were not. That is the issue. I respect Senator Tuffy's views which I know are well meant. Amendments Nos. 1 and 2 seek to end the dual mandate for Members of Dáil Éireann but not for Seanad Éireann. It also seeks to permit Oireachtas Members...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Mar 2003)

Martin Cullen: I still do that to this day and I have not served on a local authority for many years.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Mar 2003)

Martin Cullen: I would be a fool if I was not aware of the detail of what was happening in my area.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Mar 2003)

Martin Cullen: Not all councillors want to be elected to the Dáil.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Mar 2003)

Martin Cullen: It is a reinvigoration of public life, a renewal process for all the parties, not exclusive to Fianna Fáil.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Mar 2003)

Martin Cullen: How does it?

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Mar 2003)

Martin Cullen: I agree.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Mar 2003)

Martin Cullen: That is new.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Mar 2003)

Martin Cullen: I did not say that.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Mar 2003)

Martin Cullen: I did not suggest that.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Mar 2003)

Martin Cullen: It was not. I was there.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Mar 2003)

Martin Cullen: The party got rid of Alan Dukes for doing it.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Mar 2003)

Martin Cullen: I have listened to the debate with great interest. I agree with Senator Bannon that one can change one's mind on policy. I have no difficulty with that. That is the evolution in which we, in politics, are all involved. I made the remark in the context of the constitutionality point where when one had a different point of view one did not have a constitutional problem with the Bill. The...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Mar 2003)

Martin Cullen: Let us be clear. I have heard it said all morning. It is an extraordinary approach for Senators to take. It comes back to the point I have been making and which runs through this Bill. I have stated my view given the involvement and demands of local government. I see no reason as we go forward, given the opportunity this presents us, that that should be part of the possibility. For people who...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Mar 2003)

Martin Cullen: I am not. I am quoting what was said.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Mar 2003)

Martin Cullen: I am being accurate.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Mar 2003)

Martin Cullen: I was elected to Dáil Éireann at 32 years of age. Since then I have listened to debate after debate, political party after political party, talk about reform. There have been complaints – many of them well founded, others not so well founded – that we are not doing anything about real reform. The minute one goes to the heart of really cutting the umbilical cord between local government...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Mar 2003)

Martin Cullen: One has to look at the logic of what we are saying. I am trying to separate – I am quite open about this – the role of local government and national Government. It is clear from the debate that, psychologically, people do not want to see that cord cut. It is my view that it should be cut. Senators have raised legitimate points about the role of local government and the over-centralisation...

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Mar 2003)

Martin Cullen: The word "reform" is probably the most abused word over a range of issues. Everybody likes to talk about reform.

Seanad: Local Government Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Mar 2003)

Martin Cullen: It is a great corner to go to when one has nothing else to say. I never suggested when I brought it forward six or seven months ago, when I discussed it in public and with colleagues, that this was the package. This is the psychological break that needs to be made so that reforms can be brought in. I agree with Senator Bannon and my colleagues that, when this break is made, there will be...