Results 321-340 of 2,017 for speaker:Paul Bradford

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Oct 2005)

Paul Bradford: If the trade unions and employers can discuss the future of social partnership, so can politicians. I ask the Leader to arrange a debate in the Seanad on the merits of social partnership, how it can be driven forward and how we can ensure it continues to play a role in developing and strengthening the economy.

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Nov 2005)

Paul Bradford: I support the comments by Senators Finucane and MacSharry on migrant workers. This is part of a broader debate on future labour trends needed in the House. My colleagues on the Joint Committee on European Affairs are beginning a major study of the topic. In recent days the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Brennan, has pointed out that the economy will need 60,000 workers in the...

Seanad: Social Welfare Benefits: Motion. (9 Nov 2005)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the Minister and I thank Senator Terry for placing this motion before us. It is traditional that the Opposition place a motion, the Government tables an amendment and we have a political debate. That is part of the political discourse, but social welfare and policy is important. Regardless of the results of the inevitable vote, I hope the Minister will take on board the statements...

Seanad: Social Welfare Benefits: Motion. (9 Nov 2005)

Paul Bradford: The Minister has done a fine job. His is one of the major positions within Cabinet and a role of great importance to every family. Almost everybody must liaise with the Department of Social and Family Affairs at some stage. Those issues that come under the aegis of the Minister are ones that require ongoing investigation, debate and dialogue. I am aware he is committed to change within the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Nov 2005)

Paul Bradford: I support the request by Senators Callanan and Daly for a discussion on the WTO round which would be appropriate. If at all possible, will the Leader include in that necessary dialogue an urgent debate on the future of the sugar industry? We touched on this issue previously but the next round of dialogue between Ministers and the Commission on the future of the sugar industry will take place...

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Nov 2005)

Paul Bradford: At a meeting of the Sub-Committee on European Scrutiny this morning we reflected on a proposal from the EU Commission, agreed by the Council of Ministers, to set aside a fund to develop intercultural relations. This fund is modest in scale and it is intended that it will be provided from 2008 onwards. The idea is to allow countries to invest money in intercultural dialogue and development....

Seanad: Sugar Beet Industry. (17 Nov 2005)

Paul Bradford: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for allowing me to raise the important issue of the Irish sugar industry and I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food, Deputy Browne, who comes from a constituency where sugar beet is an integral part of the tillage industry. The Minister of State knows how important the growing of sugar beet has been to Irish agriculture and...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed). (23 Nov 2005)

Paul Bradford: Within the next few weeks I understand the redress board will stop taking applications from people entitled to compensation for abuse suffered in various institutions. One of the points made very strongly to us by a number of people all over the country is the restriction on applying to the board being experienced by many of the people who were resident in Magdalen laundries. On the basis of...

Seanad: Housing Policy: Statements. (23 Nov 2005)

Paul Bradford: I am glad to have the opportunity to speak in this debate. When we debate this important topic in this House we generally have a widespread and reflective discussion and this afternoon's debate has been no exception. I thank Deputies Noel Ahern, Batt O'Keeffe and Roche for their attendance. I read the Minister's speech with interest. While he presented convincing figures on the strength of...

Seanad: Iraq War: Motion. (23 Nov 2005)

Paul Bradford: I am disappointed that the Government has seen fit to table an amendment to the motion in the name of Senator Norris and his colleagues as the wording of the motion is very balanced. More importantly, its unanimous approval by the House would give us a moral standpoint as to our position on the conduct of the Iraqi war. There were quite a number of debates in the House during the run-up to...

Seanad: Order of Business. (24 Nov 2005)

Paul Bradford: He was a proper Minister.

Seanad: Estimates for Public Services 2006: Statements (Resumed). (24 Nov 2005)

Paul Bradford: I am glad to have the opportunity to speak on the Estimates. The discussion is worthwhile although it is a pity we do not have longer to explore in detail the possible options facing the Government. I listened with interest to the previous speaker, in particular her comments on her twin areas of concern, child care and care of the elderly. I congratulate Senator White on her work in these...

Seanad: Estimates for Public Services 2006: Statements (Resumed). (24 Nov 2005)

Paul Bradford: I refer the Minister of State to two of the most appalling stretches of road infrastructure in the country, the Mallow-Mitchelstown road and the Mallow-Fermoy road, both of which carry high numbers of vehicles per day and which are important for tourist access to north Cork and Kerry. Alas, in the most recent publication of the Minister for Transport's plans for major road infrastructure...

Seanad: Estimates for Public Services 2006: Statements (Resumed). (24 Nov 2005)

Paul Bradford: It has been doing so for a generation. I await the Minister's response in the budget. The Government has the opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of people, given the record resources available. I hope it uses those resources well.

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Nov 2005)

Paul Bradford: I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that after No. 1, we set aside time to discuss the future of the Irish sugar beet industry. As colleagues will be aware, last week in Brussels the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Deputy Coughlan, agreed to the reform of the European sugar industry. As a result of the reform package agreed by the Minister, it is now inevitable that the Irish...

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Nov 2005)

Paul Bradford: That is not acceptable. Greencore has done well out of the Irish sugar industry since it was privatised some time ago. We must now make the case that whatever compensation is available will be paid to those who invested their money and time down the years in the growing of sugar beet.

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Nov 2005)

Paul Bradford: We are talking about up to 4,000 growers, hundreds of workers at the Mallow plant and thousands of people in associated areas of employment. It is a matter of extreme concern. This decision taken last week in Brussels wipes out a native Irish industry. We need to discuss where we go from here and how we can ensure that the compensation is paid to those people who need it most.

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Nov 2005)

Paul Bradford: A good answer.

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Nov 2005)

Paul Bradford: Yes.

Seanad: Road Safety: Motion. (30 Nov 2005)

Paul Bradford: I thought the Senator would state she changed her mind about Senator Bannon.