Results 3,341-3,360 of 7,765 for speaker:Maurice Cummins

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Nov 2011)

Maurice Cummins: I will bring the comments made by Members this afternoon to the attention of the Minister for Finance and the Taoiseach. Senator Bacik asked about the climate change Bill. It remains a priority for the Government. We want to engage in proper consultation on the matter. The Government is totally committed to the introduction of a new climate change Bill next year. Senators Mullen, Byrne,...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Nov 2011)

Maurice Cummins: That is typical of the scaremongering that has been going on over recent weeks. I am sure the Minister, Deputy Hogan, will clarify that matter when addressing the Water Services Bill here next week. Senator Quinn raised the question of the numbers of clerks of works being reduced. They have been reduced mainly because of the massive decline in the construction industry but the question of...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Nov 2011)

Maurice Cummins: -----the €10 billion decrease in interest charges-----

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Nov 2011)

Maurice Cummins: -----is probably one of the main achievements of this Government.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Nov 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Conway spoke about the banks. We have addressed that. Senator Ó Clochartaigh raised the issue of traffic problems in Galway. Galway has an excellent mayor and I am sure she would be willing to bring all the agencies together to solve the traffic problems. It should not require the Minister for Transport to intervene to bring the interested bodies to solve a traffic problem.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Nov 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Senator O'Keeffe raised an important item regarding the regional drugs task force, parental drinking habits and the question of alcohol abuse. It is an item we should discuss further in the House. Senator Leyden spoke about the judicial appointments advisory board. It does make recommendations to the Government. That is the current position. As regards making it statutory, that is another...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2011)

Maurice Cummins: The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on the community and voluntary sector, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business and to conclude no later than 1.45 p.m., with the contributions of spokespersons, who may share time, not to exceed eight minutes, followed by questions to the Minister from the floor during which Senators are asked to confine themselves to one minute when...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2011)

Maurice Cummins: This is out of order.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2011)

Maurice Cummins: We will have a debate on this matter next Wednesday.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2011)

Maurice Cummins: We will have a debate on this matter next Wednesday.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2011)

Maurice Cummins: I am facilitating the Seanad.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Senators Darragh O'Brien, Coghlan, Conway, Norris and several others raised the issue of interest rate cuts. The Government agrees with the Financial Regulator who has stated he will not tolerate unfair increases being put on variable mortgage holders to make up for the banks' past mistakes. Apart from the recent European Central Bank interest rate decrease, the Financial Regulator has said...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2011)

Maurice Cummins: I refer to a debate on the ECB rate cut and on the appointment to the European Court of Auditors. I have given the position clearly in regard to the rate cut. Several Senators called for the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to attend the House for a debate on the situation in Gaza. Deportation orders have been made against all 14 Irish citizens and arrangements are being...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2011)

Maurice Cummins: No guillotine will be imposed. I may even extend the speaking time for Members on Second Stage given there is such interest in the issue.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2011)

Maurice Cummins: The Minister will be sure to dispel the scaremongering that has arisen in this regard. Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh referred to problems with traffic in Galway city. I would have thought the mayor, Councillor Hildegarde Naughton, would be in a position to bring together all stakeholders to deal with the matter.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2011)

Maurice Cummins: However, I will bring the matter to the attention of the Minister. Senator Ó Clochartaigh also called for the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to come to the House for a debate. I will endeavour to arrange that as soon as possible.

Seanad: Welfare of Greyhounds Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Nov 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Ag 10.30 a.m. maidin amárach.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Nov 2011)

Maurice Cummins: The Order of Business is No. 1, Private Members' business, Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill 2011 - Order for Second Stage, to be taken at 11.45 a.m. and to conclude no later than 1.45 p.m.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Nov 2011)

Maurice Cummins: A number of Senators asked about interest rate reductions. Yesterday I was asked that the Minister would attend the House. The Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, has agreed to attend next Tuesday to discuss the issue. The Taoiseach on behalf of the economic management committee spoke to the Financial Regulator. There is contact between the Government and Financial Regulator on an...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Nov 2011)

Maurice Cummins: As Galway is one of our major cities I would have thought the planning authority there would have been able to deal with the problems. Clearly that is not the case but as I said yesterday, I will raise the matter with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Varadkar, to ensure there will be some liaison to bring the interested parties together. I am sure we all join Senator...