Results 3,561-3,580 of 7,765 for speaker:Maurice Cummins

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Dec 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Senators O'Brien, Byrne, Coghlan and others raised the EU summit that will be taking place over the weekend. My understanding is that a paper was submitted by Mr. van Rompuy which will be discussed. The Government has made a submission on it and there will be a discussion. We will await the result. As far as the Government is concerned, the rate of corporation tax is not on the table. It...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Dec 2011)

Maurice Cummins: The Government stance is that we urge all the banks to pass on the interest rate cuts to mortgage holders. Senator Whelan raised the issue of Abbeyleix nursing home. The matter went to the courts. Meaningful discussions should always be held prior to the closure of nursing homes throughout the country. Senator Whelan raised the question also of delays in redundancy payments. I have had...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Dec 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Conway referred to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges and the issue of naming people in the House, a matter also raised by Senator MacSharry. I will raise that matter with the committee. Senator Barrett pointed out that the chief executive officers of some banks are paid on a 13-month basis. We would all like to be paid that way, but it is certainly ridiculous. Senator Paul...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Dec 2011)

Maurice Cummins: I would ask the Senator who removed the cancer services from Sligo General Hospital.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Dec 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Sligo people have clearly been discriminated against for 14 years.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Dec 2011)

Maurice Cummins: This Government will try to redress that situation in the coming years. Senator Bradford and others called for a debate on political reform in general and Seanad reform in particular. We have a difference of opinion on whether that debate should take place here or outside the House. I understand a wonderful debate on the subject took place in Trinity College last night, in which the Deputy...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Dec 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Whether the debate takes place in this House or in an appropriate forum outside the House, that issue will get an airing. I will certainly consider having such a debate in the House, but there is a difference of opinion on whether we should take up the time of the House to discuss its future or if the debate should take place elsewhere. Senator Quinn proposed that there be a cost benefit...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Dec 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Senator White also raised the issue of shared parental leave. She will have an opportunity to raise that with the Minister during next week's debate on the Social Welfare Bill. Senator Comiskey referred to problems with dental treatment services, which I will raise with the Minister for Health. However, the reality is that resources are very scarce and there will have to be cutbacks, as we...

Seanad: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2011: Motion (8 Dec 2011)

Maurice Cummins: I move: That the proposal that Seanad Éireann approves the following Order in draft: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2011, a copy of which Order in draft was laid before Seanad Éireann on 7th December, 2011, be referred to the Joint Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture, in accordance with Standing Order 70A(3), which, not later than 15th December, 2011,...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Defence and the Dwelling) Bill 2010: Second Stage (8 Dec 2011)

Maurice Cummins: I commend the Minister on bringing this legislation before us. As he stated, the Law Reform Commission's report of 2009 was certainly a most helpful paper in addressing the circumstances that arise. The violation of one's home is a very traumatic event, irrespective of whether it is the home of an able-bodied person or an elderly person. People never forget it if their home is broken into....

Seanad: Business of Seanad (8 Dec 2011)

Maurice Cummins: I propose to amend the Order of Business. I move: That on conclusion of Second Stage the Criminal Law (Defence of the Dwelling) Bill 2011, the Seanad will immediately begin Committee Stage of the Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011, to conclude no later than 7.45 p.m.

Seanad: Criminal Law (Defence of the Dwelling) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (8 Dec 2011)

Maurice Cummins: We are not discussing the Criminal Law (Defence and the Dwelling) Bill now.

Seanad: Criminal Law (Defence of the Dwelling) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (8 Dec 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Tomorrow.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2011)

Maurice Cummins: The Order of Business is No. 1, Social Welfare Bill 2011 — Second Stage, to commence at the conclusion of the Order of Business and conclude not later than 4.30 p.m., with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed five minutes and the Minister to be called on to reply not later than 4.20 p.m.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Senators O'Brien, Conway and Paul Coghlan called for a debate on the eurozone crisis. I have arranged with the Minister of State, Deputy Creighton, to come in from 11.15 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. on Friday to address the House on the eurozone crisis. There have been a number of changes to the schedule for the week that I issued to Members shortly before we came in. The debate will take place on...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2011)

Maurice Cummins: I have received a note that the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton, is still attending a Cabinet meeting and will not be available until 1.45 p.m. approximately. I propose that we suspend the sitting until that time.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2011: Second Stage (13 Dec 2011)

Maurice Cummins: We are used to hearing the same old rhetoric from Sinn Féin as its Members overrun on time as usual. The Minister is welcome to the Chamber. Reform of the social welfare system is of paramount importance. In the Minister's first Social Welfare Bill she has set about reforming the system, removing discrepancies and acting in a fair manner at all times. The decisions taken in the budget...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2011: Second Stage (13 Dec 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Tommorow or Thursday.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2011: Second Stage (13 Dec 2011)

Maurice Cummins: Ar 10.30 maidin amárach.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Dec 2011)

Maurice Cummins: The Order of Business is No. 1, Private Members' business, Fiscal Responsibility (Statement) Bill 2011, to be taken at 3 p.m. and to conclude no later than 5 p.m; and No. 2, Jurisdiction of Courts and Enforcement of Judgments (Amendment) Bill 2011 — Committee and Remaining Stages, to be taken on the conclusion of No. 1 and the time allocated to this debate shall not exceed one hour.