Results 3,061-3,080 of 4,132 for speaker:Donie Cassidy

Seanad: Tourism Industry: Statements (4 Mar 2010)

Donie Cassidy: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House for this debate at such short notice. I wish the Minister, Deputy Martin Cullen, well in his recovery. He is in hospital at present. As the Minister of State, Deputy Martin Mansergh, is in Los Angeles; I am grateful to the Minister of State, Deputy Dara Calleary, for his attendance. I also thank the senior officials for attending. I...

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Mar 2010)

Donie Cassidy: The Order of Business is No. 1, the Energy (Biofuel Obligation and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010 - Committee Stage (resumed), to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business; and No. 2, the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 - Committee Stage (resumed), to be taken at the conclusion of No. 1.

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Mar 2010)

Donie Cassidy: What about Christmas Day?

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Mar 2010)

Donie Cassidy: I am absolutely not agreeing with the Senator.

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Mar 2010)

Donie Cassidy: I gave three responses on the matter last week.

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Mar 2010)

Donie Cassidy: Senators Fitzgerald, Bacik, Mullen, Twomey, John Paul Phelan, O'Malley, McCarthy, McDonald and Feeney called for a debate on women's participation in politics and, in most cases, expressed their disappointment that the debate had been postponed. I had agreed that it would take place today. It had been a pleasure to do so and I was looking forward to the debate immensely. Many colleagues...

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Mar 2010)

Donie Cassidy: I also share Senator Coghlan's concerns about the office of the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism in Killarney. Senator Healy Eames raised the issue of flood victims. She feels strongly about this and I suggest she raises this on the Adjournment. I will do everything I can to assist the Senator in her quest. Senators Harris and Daly commented on Iraqis going to the polls. I share...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2010)

Donie Cassidy: The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on the Irish language, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business and conclude not later than 1 p.m., on which the contributions of spokespersons shall not exceed ten minutes and those of all other Senators shall not to exceed five minutes and Senators may share time, with the Minister to be called ten minutes from the conclusion of the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2010)

Donie Cassidy: Senators Twomey, O'Toole, Alex White, Ross, Jim Walsh, McFadden, Callely, Coghlan, Feeney, Buttimer, Healy-Eames, Mullen, Hanafin and Fitzgerald all expressed their strong views in regard to the HSE and the unfortunate people who attended Tallaght Hospital. There were 54,000 X-rays as mentioned by colleagues. It is an unacceptable and appalling situation that once again human failure has...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2010)

Donie Cassidy: On the Minister's return, I will arrange for a debate as long as colleagues wish, with the Minister present, on the up-to-date situation with regard to Tallaght Hospital. An urgent debate on the Government's up-to-date policy on the public sector was called for. I have no difficulty in having time left aside for this, but I hope the Taoiseach and the social partners get around the table in...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2010)

Donie Cassidy: Senators O'Toole, Leyden, Coffey, Walsh, McFadden, Norris, Buttimer and McCarthy expressed their serious concerns about the broadcasting levy order and moved an amendment to the Order of Business. As a result of the collapse in advertising, revenues to radio stations, and probably also to the national broadcaster, are down by 30%. This is the difficulty that is now being experienced and...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2010)

Donie Cassidy: The next step is that the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland must reduce its budget; the chief executive officer is to appear before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources before the end of this month with his proposed budget. The Minister is working on the issue of sustainable funding and will come back to the joint committee with answers before the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2010)

Donie Cassidy: It was one of the planks-----

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2010)

Donie Cassidy: I remind colleagues that this is the Upper House.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2010)

Donie Cassidy: This is the Upper House; it is not a council chamber.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2010)

Donie Cassidy: I remind colleagues to refrain from interrupting. I am explaining and giving the details of what the Minister is contemplating.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2010)

Donie Cassidy: I was one of those who stood to enter public life and be a Member of the Oireachtas on the basis of legalising local radio. The success of local radio is represented in the strength of our communities, and we are all in favour of it.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2010)

Donie Cassidy: I draw the attention of the House-----

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2010)

Donie Cassidy: -----to the fact that the order itself sets out how to calculate the levy which is applied to the BAI budget for the relevant year and applied on a pro rata basis to each broadcaster's net turnover. Anyone considering it realistically and from a business point of view can see that the downturn is taken into account.

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2010)

Donie Cassidy: Senator Alex White mentioned the fact that hundreds of marriages conducted at embassies in Dublin have been found to be invalid. I will pass on his serious concerns to the Minister immediately after the Order of Business. These couples find themselves in difficult circumstances.