Results 241-260 of 7,765 for speaker:Maurice Cummins

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Second Stage. (2 Mar 2004)

Maurice Cummins: The Bill represents a good step forward in revising and in some instances reforming the structures of the Garda Síochána. Given that it is over 80 years since the force was put on a statutory footing, the Bill is long overdue. I have a few concerns about the Bill which I hope the Minister will address as well as those raised by my colleagues.

Seanad: Higher Education: Motion. (3 Mar 2004)

Maurice Cummins: I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Browne. Like my colleague, Senator Ulick Burke, I am disappointed the Minister or the Minister of State did not see fit to come to the House and listen to the debate. It is unprecedented that we have had four Ministers here in the first hour of the debate. I wonder who will reply to...

Seanad: Higher Education: Motion. (3 Mar 2004)

Maurice Cummins: I wonder whether the Minister will make any comment on it. It is obviously a sleight to the Progressive Democrats or else a complete lack of interest by the Minister in the subject under discussion. He has shown that on a number of occasions recently.

Seanad: Higher Education: Motion. (3 Mar 2004)

Maurice Cummins: I welcome the motion. I listened attentively to Senator Minihan who asked some pertinent questions. One wonders whether his party was in Government for the past six years given that he has not got the answers. He made some valid points but I wonder what impact the Progressive Democrats has had on the education system, other than preventing third level fees, a battle it won hands down.

Seanad: Higher Education: Motion. (3 Mar 2004)

Maurice Cummins: There is no question about the battle the Progressive Democrats won in that regard.

Seanad: Higher Education: Motion. (3 Mar 2004)

Maurice Cummins: There has been an increase of approximately 74% in registration fees which probably compensates. In 2000, the EU leaders set themselves a goal that by 2010 the EU would be the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world, capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion. They also wished to redress the position where EU...

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Mar 2004)

Maurice Cummins: As it is so long since we saw him could we invite the Minister for Transport to make a guest appearance in the House to explain the Government's policy on the development and construction of inter-urban routes, as enunciated in the national spatial strategy document? Priority has been given to the routes from Dublin to Cork and Galway but there is no mention of development of the route to the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Mar 2004)

Maurice Cummins: Will the Minister attend the House and clarify the situation because the lack of this vital infrastructure is hindering the development and growth of Waterford and the south east? We need clarity on the matter.

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Mar 2004)

Maurice Cummins: It is a matter for the National Roads Authority.

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Mar 2004)

Maurice Cummins: Can the Senator tell us about the guest appearance of the Minister?

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Mar 2004)

Maurice Cummins: All the more reason for the Minister to come to the House.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

Maurice Cummins: I would like to share my time with Senator Bannon.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

Maurice Cummins: Yes.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

Maurice Cummins: May I commence now? It is wonderful to see such passion on the Fianna Fáil benches——

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

Maurice Cummins: ——regarding a motion that only asks for reform of a system.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

Maurice Cummins: There is no doubt that political patronage flourishes in Fianna Fáil, as it has always done. The Progressive Democrats are not too far behind in this regard. As Senator Ross has stated, Fine Gael and Labour indulged in this practice when in Government——

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

Maurice Cummins: ——but not in such a blatant manner as this Government and its predecessor. Regardless of whether appointments to port authorities, semi-State bodies, prison visiting committees or other bodies are in question, the age of dishing out jobs for the boys and girls is alive and well. On a recent "Prime Time" programme on RTE a former Fianna Fáil Minister of State said the bottom line was...

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

Maurice Cummins: The system of political patronage is certainly thriving under this Government, be it in semi-State bodies or in any committee under any Minister.

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Leyden can go to the Curragh detention centre, where he applied for a place on a visiting committee. That is also on file. He wanted to be reappointed. I am not suggesting——

Seanad: Appointments to Semi-State Bodies: Motion. (10 Mar 2004)

Maurice Cummins: ——that any member of a political party or any supporter of a political party be debarred from membership of these boards or committees but I am looking for greater transparency in the system such that the most qualified people, irrespective of their political affiliations, would be appointed to the various boards and committees. This is not what pertains at present and it is about time...