Results 2,981-3,000 of 7,765 for speaker:Maurice Cummins

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2011: Referral to Joint Committee (28 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: I move: That the proposal that Seanad Éireann approves the following Regulations in draft: The Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2011, copies of which have been laid in draft form before Seanad Éireann on 23rd June, 2011, be referred to the Joint Committee on Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht, in accordance with Standing Order 70A(3), which, not later...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2011: Order for Committee Stage (28 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: I move: "That Committee Stage be taken now." Question put and agreed to.

Seanad: School Transport: Statements (28 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: At 10.30 a.m. tomorrow.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: The Order of Business is No. 1, Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011 - all Stages, with Second Stage to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business and conclude not later than 1.30 p.m., with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed seven minutes, the Minister to be called on to reply no later than 1.25...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: I join other Senators in congratulating Senator David Cullinane and his wife on the birth of their new baby. I agree that rushed legislation is bad legislation. I had ordered it such that we would take Committee and Report Stages of the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011 on separate days, but I received instructions that the Bill had to be dealt with today.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: I have allocated more time than originally planned after Private Members' time to deal with the amendments tabled. I believe sufficient time has been given to discuss the Bill properly.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: I appreciate the concerns of Members.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: The House sets its business based on what is received from the Government. The Social Welfare and Pensions Bill was before the House yesterday and I believe we had sufficient time to deal with all of the problems highlighted, despite the protestations yesterday morning. Only four amendments by Sinn Féin were tabled. There was sufficient time to deal with the Bill and I suggest there will...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Senators Ivana Bacik and Martin Conway, among others, asked about job creation and the internship scheme, with concerns being expressed about the three-month requirement. I will raise the matter with the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton. The Minister had intended to come to the House for statements on the internship scheme but is unable to do so. However, she has given a...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Yes. Some are suggesting the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister should come together, while others are proposing they be invited separately. That can be teased out at the meeting. Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill spoke about the fishing industry and expressed concern about mackerel quotas, in particular. The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Simon Coveney, has...

Seanad: Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (29 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Prevention is always better than cure.

Seanad: Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Thomas Byrne hit the nail on the head when he said the last Government talked about these types of reforms. It spoke about them for many years, but this Government is acting on the reforms that were proposed. That is why we are dealing with this legislation today. I suggest that we let these reforms go through and let a breath of fresh air go through Government. Rather than...

Seanad: Whistleblower Legislation: Motion (29 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Yes.

Seanad: Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (29 Jun 2011)

Maurice Cummins: It is proposed to sit at 10.30 a.m. tomorrow.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2011)

Maurice Cummins: It is proposed to take No. 1, motion to amend the order of the Seanad of 16 June 2011 in respect of the establishment of a select committee to include the Department of the Taoiseach under the remit of the Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, to be taken without debate; No. 2, the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011 - Committee Stage, to be taken at the...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Darragh O'Brien raised the recent review of the location of the proposed national children's hospital. The report of that review group was considered by the Cabinet earlier today and there will be an announcement on it by the Minister for Health soon. Several Members, including the Leader of the Opposition, raised the matter of funding for regional airports and, in particular,...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2011)

Maurice Cummins: One reason recent Exchequer figures are on target is that the Government is serious about bringing the public finances into order. Senator Bacik called for a debate on the children's rights referendum. The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, has indicated she would be willing to attend the Seanad at an early point for such a debate. All Members join with...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Norris mentioned anomalies regarding the civil partnership legislation. We hope these can be addressed through the Finance (No. 3) Bill which will come before the House in the next week or so. Senator O'Neill spoke about the VECs and Senator Mullins spoke about the administrative centres and called for a debate on education. We will arrange for the Minister for Education and Skills...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Harte spoke about robberies in Inishowen. That deplorable situation is a matter for the Minister for Justice and Equality and I will raise it with him. Senator Harte could also raise the matter on the Adjournment. Senator Leyden has put forward an amendment to the Order of Business but I do not propose to accept it. He will have ample opportunity on Friday to deal with health...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2011)

Maurice Cummins: There is a long history of letters, not alone from the Minister for Health but from the former Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern.