Results 2,961-2,980 of 7,765 for speaker:Maurice Cummins

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Harte referred to the difficulties soccer fans are experiencing in respect of obtaining visas for the game with Russia in particular. This is a matter which is close to my heart and I have received representations from quite a number of people about the previous occasion on which the national team played in Russia. The other team which the Republic is due to play - the name of which...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: The Senator may be more au fait than I with regard to the legal aspects of the matter. I am informed that at present it is not possible to hold a "preferendum" and that a referendum is the accepted model. However, the position can be clarified at a later stage. Senator Conway referred to the astronomical increase in the prices charged for hotel rooms when major events, concerts, etc., are...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: I hope that those who own and run hotels and who might be charging exorbitant prices realise that the country's reputation is at stake. This is an extremely important matter. I already informed Senator Cullinane that the Minister for Health is due to come before the House on 7 July next.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: On JLCs, the House is to resume its debate on the jobs initiative and competitiveness following the Order of Business. I suggest that the topic of JLCs could be addressed during said debate. Senator Landy also referred to the cost of hotel rooms and to the cost of tickets for GAA matches. As someone on the Opposition benches stated, it was not possible to mention the GAA in the House when...

Seanad: Jobs Initiative and Competitiveness: Statements (Resumed) (22 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Perry, to the House. Job creation is central to Ireland's economic recovery. The programme for Government has job creation at its core. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, as we have heard on many occasions. There are currently some 250,000 small businesses, employing approximately 700,000 workers. The appointment of Deputy Perry as...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: The Order of Business is No. 1, Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2011 - Second Stage, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business and to conclude no later than 2.30 p.m., with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed 12 minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed eight minutes, and the Minister to be called on to reply no later than 2.20 p.m.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: The Senator might feature on "Oireachtas Report" if he continues.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Senators O'Brien and Bacik referred to the decision by AIB to sell a share in a company which was bought for €216 million for €100,000. This is a disgrace which shows how badly AIB and other banks were managed and how they completely lost the run of themselves in that past ten years. I will raise the matter with the Minister for Finance who intends to attend the House. The Minister has...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2011: Second Stage (23 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: I welcome the Minister to the House. She is presiding over a Department that faces many challenges in the years ahead. She is more than capable of rising to the challenges and making the necessary changes which will ensure that people who most need benefit are those who receive it, and that those abusing it by making fraudulent claims will be rooted out and penalised. When someone on social...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2011: Second Stage (23 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: At 2.30 p.m.on Tuesday next.

Seanad: School Transport (23 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Did you intend to give one minute of your time to Senator John Kelly?

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: The Order of Business is as follows: No. 1, motion regarding victims directive opt-in, referral to committee without debate; No. 2, motion regarding the Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2011, referral to committee without debate; No. 3, Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2011 - Committee and Remaining Stages, to be taken at the conclusion of No. 2 and conclude not later...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: The schedule has been changed a number of times during the past week. I apologise for this, but it was changed to facilitate a request to include an early signature motion in respect of the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011. The Government is anxious that the commencement order pertaining to the new Department of public Expenditure and Reform be signed early next week in order...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: That is the position. That is the only time the Minister of State is available to come in to the House. Senator Kelly-----

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: There is an earlier signature motion before the House in relation to the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2010. I advised the House three weeks ago that this Bill would come before us today. Senator Kelly and others called for a debate on health issues. I wonder at times if Members are listening to my response to the Order of Business. I gave an undertaking that the Minister would come to...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Regardless of from what side the requests were made, I wonder if people are listening when I reply to the Order of Business. I try to be as concise as possible and to keep the House informed of what legislation or other business will come before us. I intend to continue to do so. The Minister for Health will come to the House to discuss the issues raised. Senator Zappone called for a...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: They are true ambassadors for our country. Senator Mullins raised the question of telephone calls, which is not a matter for this House but one which should be addressed by the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission, as I am sure it will be. Several Senators referred to the issue of the salaries of CEOs. Senator Barrett referred to the McCarthy report on the sale of State assets, which is...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: This is the type of thing which causes the public to ask why the Seanad should not be abolished. I ask Members when they stand in the House to consider what the public and the other Members of the House think when we have this type of statements and interjections. It is a matter on which we should all examine our consciences. We are talking about saving the Seanad but some of us are doing...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Sheahan referred to pricing orders and professional fees for the medical, legal and accountancy professions. It is a matter which the Minister, Deputy Richard Bruton, possibly intends to tackle through legislation. Senators Quinn and Norris referred to the Glencree centre, and I agree it is sad that some courses must be stopped because of financial constraints. While we will...

Seanad: Victims Directive: Referral to Joint Committee (28 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: I move: That the proposal that Seanad Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion under Protocol No. 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, to take part in the adoption and application of the...