Results 3,041-3,060 of 7,765 for speaker:Maurice Cummins

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jul 2011)

Maurice Cummins: The Order of Business is No. 1, motion re referral of agreement between the European Union and Australia on the transfer and processing of passenger data to the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality, to be taken without debate; No. 2, address to Seanad Éireann by Mr. Jerzy Buzek, President of the European Parliament, to commence at 2.30 p.m and to be followed by a question from...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jul 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Darragh O'Brien referred to an agreed motion on Palestine. I have no objection to a discussion on the matter by the Whips. I do not know whether they will be able to agree a joint motion. I am quite willing to allow the Whips to meet to discuss the matter. It is unlikely that we will have a debate on any such motion this week. Senator O'Brien raised the question of St. Ita's...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jul 2011)

Maurice Cummins: On Senator Leyden's remark that power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely, I remind him of another little idiom that people in glasshouses should not throw stones.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jul 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Clune sought a debate on the literacy and numeracy report which was published last week. It is a matter which Senator Mac Conghail questioned last week or the week before. As it is an important issue, we should arrange to have a debate and have the Minister for Education and Skills in here in September to deal with that. Senator Crown raised the issue of Roscommon hospital. It is...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jul 2011)

Maurice Cummins: It will take time to undo the monster which was created by the previous Government.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jul 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Senator D'Arcy also called for a debate on Palestinian statehood. We should arrange a debate. If we can have an agreed motion, we could possibly have a debate on that if we can secure the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Gilmore. I already addressed Senator MacSharry's matter and again compliment him on introducing the Family Home Bill. Senator Healy Eames called...

Seanad: European Council Decisions: Motion (12 Jul 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...

Seanad: European Council Decisions: Motion (12 Jul 2011)

Maurice Cummins: I propose that the House suspend until 2.30 p.m. I ask Members to be in their seats by 2.30 p.m. when the President of the European Parliament will be here.

Seanad: Address by President of the European Parliament (12 Jul 2011)

Maurice Cummins: I thank President Buzek who is very welcome to the House. What scope is there for greater interaction between the national Parliament and the European Parliament? How confident is President Buzek that Europe will plot a satisfactory course through the current eurozone challenges, especially the fiscal ones, that lie ahead?

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jul 2011)

Maurice Cummins: The Order of Business is No. 1, Finance (No. 3) Bill 2011 [Certified Money Bill] - Order for Second Stage and Second Stage, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business until 1.30 p.m., with the contributions of spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed five minutes and the Minister to be called to reply not later than 1.25 p.m - if...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jul 2011)

Maurice Cummins: A Chathaoirligh-----

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jul 2011)

Maurice Cummins: That is not in order.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jul 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Darragh O'Brien referred to the motion on Palestine. I am sure the Whips will meet on that matter and, hopefully, reach agreement. I share the concerns of Senator O'Brien and other Members on rating agencies, which are private vested interests. I agree with the Senator that having the Barnier report published in November seems very late in regard to addressing the problems relating...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jul 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Senators Bacik, White, Keane, Conway, Mullen and Healy Eames referred to unbecoming comments in the other House. It is not a matter I can deal with here or a matter for this House. I am glad that Members have stated we respect one another as equals in this House, and long may that continue.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jul 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Senators Mac Conghail, Keane and Healy Eames raised the issue of the Cloyne report. As we know, the Cloyne report will be published today and copies will be made available to all Members of the House. My office was in contact with the office of the Minister, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, to inquire when the Minister could come to the House to outline details and developments on child...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jul 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Colm Burke spoke on the need for reform, particularly in dealing with European legislation. The Senator raised the very valid point that no representations were made from this State in regard to European legislation, which is not a good situation. The question of inviting European Commissioners is one which we can deal with in the CPP. To have a calendar listing those people...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jul 2011)

Maurice Cummins: We have 19 Fine Gael Members and each of the the three of them could decide to have a group. The rules are there to be adhered to by everyone. On the hours for health, five hours were given over to the Medical Practitioners Bill. Whatever amount of hours given to cigarettes and mobile phones, as Senator Cullinane aptly put, cigarettes are one of the major causes of lung cancer and other...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jul 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Possible dangers posed by mobile phones are also important. Senator Cullinane should deal with the health aspects of those issues as well and consider them.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jul 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Mullins asked about cross-Border activity and the VAT situation. That is a matter of concern and could be raised with the Minister for Finance. I do not propose to accept Senator Leyden's amendment to the Order of Business. The Senator was scaremongering in his comment on the issue.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jul 2011)

Maurice Cummins: On promises, the former Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, when he was in Government made a promise to the people of Waterford in 2007 that there would be 20 palliative care beds in Waterford if he was re-elected. He was re-elected but today Senator Cullinane has a matter on the Adjournment today-----