Results 3,681-3,700 of 7,765 for speaker:Maurice Cummins

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: I thank the Cathaoirleach for his explanation, as I did not have an answer for Senator Terry Leyden. Senator Thomas Byrne, acting Leader of the Opposition, referred to job creation, the Government's No. 1 priority. Further announcements on a strategy will be made during the coming weeks. The Seanad has had an input, as I have forwarded the bullet points of our debate on job creation to the...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: No, as we cannot get Ministers to drop everything at the drop of a hat and debate an issue in the Seanad, but I will endeavour to arrange for the Minister to attend the House as soon as possible. Unfortunately, an amendment will be pressed in respect of non-Government motion No. 6. Senator Paul Coghlan has explained the position and the Taoiseach has discussed the matter with the Cardinal...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: Protocol must be observed at all times. I hope the previous Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the current leader of Fianna Fáil informed his colleagues about the protocol to be followed. If the bishops state the Pope has indicated his desire to visit, the Government will respond positively.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Susan O'Keeffe referred to the situation in Syria. I hope she will ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade about the matter when he is present in the Chamber in the afternoon when I am sure there will be a number of questions asked about the situatin in Syria. I assure Senator Martin McAleese that our relationship with the Vatican is close and cordial and will...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Tom Sheahan asked about identity cards for people with an acquired brain injury. I will inquire to determine whether the Minister for Health has intentions in this regard. Senator Mark Daly asked about the undocumented Irish. I understand a Bill is making its way through Congress and that a waiver for the undocumented Irish is still on the cards. The Taoiseach and the Tánaiste have...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: I ask that the House await what the Tánaiste, who will be in the House from 3.30 p.m. to 5 p.m., has to say on this matter before moving any motion.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: We are all in agreement with the principle of the motion. However, proper protocol must be observed.

Seanad: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings Inquiry: Motion (2 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: I move: That Seanad Éireann, recalling the Statements in this House on 7 July 2004 and on 20 February 2008; —notes the interim and final reports of the sub-Committee of the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights on the report of the Independent Commission of Inquiry into the Dublin and Monaghan Bombings and the three related Barron Reports, including the Inquiry...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(Political Funding) Bill 2011: Second Stage (2 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: I thank the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan for coming to this House to present this Bill. I thank him for his commitment to the objectives in this Bill and to this House. This is a Seanad Bill and it gives this House a real opportunity to influence the legislation that will be enacted. I know that fine suggestions will be forthcoming from Seanad...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(Political Funding) Bill 2011: Second Stage (2 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: The Senator will be the first to speak next week.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(Political Funding) Bill 2011: Second Stage (2 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: On a point of order, if people listened to the Order of Business as agreed by the House this morning, they would realise that this debate will continue next Tuesday.

Seanad: Priorities in Foreign Affairs: Statements (2 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: Next Tuesday, at 2.30 p.m.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: The Order of Business is Nos. 1 to 5 on the Order Paper. No 1, motion regarding the proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on criminal sanctions for insider dealing and market manipulation, to be taken without debate. No. 2, motion regarding the Teaching Council Act 2001 (Amendment of Nominating Bodies) Order 2012, to be taken without debate. No. 3,...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Darragh O'Brien referred to a report on the attendance record of Ministers in Brussels. I presume the report relates to the records of individual Ministers rather than countries.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: While I am not aware of the report, I will certainly read it. The case has been proven that Ministers did not attend many of the European bodies.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: The Government has attempted to play catch-up in that regard and has made significant progress in repairing the problems that arose when the previous Government was in office.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Bacik raised the potential for greater trade opportunities with China. I will certainly endeavour to have the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Joe Costello, come to the House to address that situation. I am sure he would be quite willing to do so for the first time as Minister of State. Senators van Turnhout and Rónán Mullen referred to the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: There will be no reduction or no amnesty in that regard. Senators Mary Moran and Jim D'Arcy welcomed the roll out of high-speed broadband to all schools by 2014 and referred to the need for digital boards. I agree totally with Senator D'Arcy that there is a need for oversight and inspection of the scheme when it is up and running. That is of paramount importance. Senator Zappone referred...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: The Minister also outlined that unless there is evidence of endangerment to human health or the environment, the septic tank system in place will pass inspection. There is no question of applying the Environmental Protection Agency's 2009 code of practice to older systems. That is clear to everybody.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: If some people choose not to listen to the Minister or agree with him, that is their-----