Results 2,941-2,960 of 7,765 for speaker:Maurice Cummins

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: If we can raise the matter with the Minister in question, we will do so because there should be the minimum of red tape to ensure job protection. If the banks are not co-operating, something must be done about the matter. I do not accept the amendment proposed by Senator Thomas Byrne. We have no intention of delaying the jobs initiative as enunciated in the finance Bill. I am satisfied...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Certainly, we will consider whether there is a need to allocate further time on Committee Stage today.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: We will consider that matter at the appropriate time. I remind the Senator that we provided three hours to accommodate the requests made to discuss finance issues but Members did not avail of the time allocated.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Several requests were made from the other side on the House. I am simply suggesting those who made requests did not speak.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Martin Conway referred to the Clare-Limerick boundary. I understand the Minister will make an announcement on this issue in due course, but we will find out exactly when the announcement on the Limerick boundary in particular will be made. The Cathaoirleach has stated he will write to Senator David Cullinane. The letter is in the post. Several concessions will be made to Sinn...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Kathryn Reilly asked about the single unified scheme for higher education grants-----

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: The new unified scheme will commence in the academic year 2012-13, in other words, local grant awarding bodies will be dealing with it for the coming year. Senator Denis Landy raised the issue of the loss of telephone signals on new motorways. This issue should be raised with the network providers. I will convey the Senator's concerns to the Minister. Senator Mary White called for a debate...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: I heard what the Senator said. It is an issue she can raise in the debate to which I referred. All I can say in response to Senator Michael Mullins's point on the banks is that one should never be amazed at what Senator Terry Leyden has to say. Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh called for a debate on the arts. I will ask Minister Leyden to come to the House to facilitate the holding of that debate.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: That was a Freudian slip. I will ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Jimmy Deenihan, to accommodate us in that regard. In regard to fishing and food, we will have a debate in three weeks time on food labelling. The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Simon Coveney, is scheduled to attend a debate in the House the following week on agriculture and...

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: We have ample time to discuss the recommendations, but in deference to the Minister of State I propose that we should extend the time available to 5.30 p.m. to complete all stages.

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Next Tuesday at 2.30 p.m.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: The Order of Business is No. 1, motion of referral to the Joint Committee on Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht regarding the Harbours Acts 1996 to 2009 (Transfer of Functions of Dundalk Port Company) Order 2011, to be taken without debate; and No. 13, motion No. 1 regarding Seanad procedures, which is resumed from last week and which will conclude not later than 5.45 p.m.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: The Leader of the Opposition, Senator Darragh O'Brien, spoke about special needs assistants. We had a debate on this only last week. I have some correspondence from the Department on that matter. I will read the first page and provide a copy of this correspondence to Senator O'Brien. - Schools are being advised this week of their allocation of Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) for the coming...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: There have also been questions about progress on the Croke Park agreement. As we stated, there is a lot done but more to do in that area. Questions were also raised about the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill. This will be dealt with in the House on 29 and 30 June.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: That is another request that will be honoured. Senator Ivana Bacik asked about constitutional reform and reform of the asylum system. This is a matter that the Minister for Justice and Equality is examining at present and I am sure he will be happy to come to the House at a later stage to discuss it. Senator Jillian van Turnhout mentioned SNAs, as did quite a number of people. I have given...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: It is a serious issue and we will try to have a discussion with the Minister for Finance in the context of the debate we are trying to organise. I have no objection to bringing in the chairman of NAMA if the Committee on Procedure and Privileges permits an expansion of the category of people that can come in here. However, we should hear from the Minister for Finance on the subject first....

Seanad: Harbours Acts 1996 to 2009: Motion (21 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: I move: That the proposal that Seanad Éireann approves the following Order in draft: Harbours Acts 1996 to 2009 (Transfer of Functions of Dundalk Port Company) Order 2011, copies of which have been laid in draft form before Seanad Éireann on 1st June, 2011, be referred to the Joint Committee on Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht, in accordance with Standing Order 70A(3),...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on the jobs initiative and competitiveness (resumed), to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business and conclude not later than 1 p.m., with eight minutes for spokespersons and five minutes for all other Senators, and the Minister to reply not later than 12.55 p.m.; No.2, statements on European affairs and the European Union's role on...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Senators Darragh O'Brien and Mac Conghail referred to the petitions committee. That matter will be discussed by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, CPP, next week. It is the intention that - regardless of its title - such a committee will be established and that people will come before it to make representations. It is also intended that relevant individuals will be invited to come...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: It is a fact that 75% of defined benefit pension schemes are going to be in deficit. The Minister for Social Protection is due to come before the House tomorrow to take the debate on the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill and perhaps she might comment on some of the points made by Senator Darragh O'Brien in respect of that matter. I dealt previously with the recommendations relating to the...