Results 3,401-3,420 of 26,396 for speaker:David Cullinane

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2014)

David Cullinane: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Oct 2014)

David Cullinane: I would like to welcome Senator Craughwell to the House and extend many congratulations to him. I am glad the second preference I gave him made a difference in the end.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Oct 2014)

David Cullinane: I do not doubt that he will be an independent voice in this Chamber. I am sure he will be on the right side when important votes are taken on issues that have an impact on people. Fair play to Senator Craughwell on his election. On three occasions over the last two weeks, I have called for a debate on water charges and the water service plan. I made the point that during the many hours...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Oct 2014)

David Cullinane: The vast majority of the 100,000 people who were out on the streets on Saturday cannot afford to pay these water charges. On each of the three occasions in recent weeks on which I have asked the Leader to arrange a debate on this matter, I have put it to him that 180,000 families cannot afford to pay their mortgages at the moment. Should they allow their mortgages to slip a bit further so...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Oct 2014)

David Cullinane: The former Minister of State who set up Irish Water, with whom Senators on this side of the House argued for almost 16 hours, now agrees with us that the whole thing is a disaster. The Government needs to wake up and listen. It got a wake-up call in the two by-elections. It got another wake-up call when 100,000 people came out onto the streets. As the Leader of the House will know, I have...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Oct 2014)

David Cullinane: Given that it is budget day, I will withdraw the amendment and re-table it tomorrow.

Seanad: Budget 2015: Statements (14 Oct 2014)

David Cullinane: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Budget 2015: Statements (14 Oct 2014)

David Cullinane: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Budget 2015: Statements (14 Oct 2014)

David Cullinane: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Budget 2015: Statements (14 Oct 2014)

David Cullinane: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Budget 2015: Statements (14 Oct 2014)

David Cullinane: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Budget 2015: Statements (14 Oct 2014)

David Cullinane: I wish to share time equally with Senator Ó Clochartaigh. The Leas-Chathaoirleach might let me know when I am finished.

Seanad: Budget 2015: Statements (14 Oct 2014)

David Cullinane: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. There are some positive elements in this budget, but it is not fair to characterise it as modest or sustainable, or even a neutral budget, for the majority of working families. The reality is that one can never look at a budget without looking at the bigger economic context and also all the budgets that have gone before. As the Minister will...

Seanad: Budget 2015: Statements (14 Oct 2014)

David Cullinane: -----or understand the reality of what it is like for many families. This is the simple reality for these families. The Government had political choices and unfortunately it picked the wrong ones today.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Oct 2014)

David Cullinane: Whatever about the road less travelled, I hope the Government does not adopt the arrogance of previous Governments and slap itself on the back. I noticed an air of celebration yesterday evening among many Fine Gael and Labour Deputies and Senators. I hope that had to do with John O'Shea's late equaliser, not the regressive budget that was put in place yesterday.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Oct 2014)

David Cullinane: If I could continue. I thank the Senators for their interruptions. The reality is this-----

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Oct 2014)

David Cullinane: The same question was put to the Taoiseach in the Dáil yesterday and this morning. An individual earning more than €70,000 per year will gain €746 under the budget. A couple earning €30,000 per year gains €174. This means that Government Senators and the Taoiseach will benefit four times more than the couple. Again, the Government has gone for an unfair...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Oct 2014)

David Cullinane: Proportionally, they will benefit more. While the Labour Party might disagree, these are the figures. A low-paid worker on €30,000 will gain €174, which will be negated by water charges. A middle-income earner on €50,000 will gain €546, most of which will be wiped out by the property tax and water charges. A higher earner on €70,000 will gain...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Oct 2014)

David Cullinane: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Oct 2014)

David Cullinane: Senator Cummins needs a scriptwriter.