Results 361-380 of 2,017 for speaker:Paul Bradford

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Feb 2006)

Paul Bradford: Last week Senator White called for a debate on the care of, and services for, the elderly. Since then, we have received a fine report from the National Economic and Social Forum. It would be appropriate to set aside time at the earliest possible opportunity to debate the issue of the elderly in Ireland. The figures presented in the NESF report indicate that Ireland is at the bottom of the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Feb 2006)

Paul Bradford: This is not a matter we can debate in one day in the Oireachtas. As a mature nation we have the ability to review what was correct or otherwise and what could have been done differently. We need a mature debate on where the nation is going, taking on board the ideas that are appropriate to the new millennium.

Seanad: Health Insurance Industry. (1 Feb 2006)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. Hundreds of thousands of people across the country are concerned by the Government's decision to introduce risk equalisation in the health insurance industry. I have addressed this topic in both Houses over the past five or six years. The prospect exists of risk equalisation being adjudicated on in various domestic courts and also the possible, or...

Seanad: Health Insurance Industry. (1 Feb 2006)

Paul Bradford: Does the Minister of State take seriously the statement by the health insurance company, BUPA, that if risk equalisation is implemented as scheduled and proposed, it will have no choice but to withdraw from the Irish health insurance market? Does he consider that to be a genuine statement based on fact or simply based on posturing?

Seanad: Northern Ireland Issues: Statements. (2 Feb 2006)

Paul Bradford: While my time is limited, I am pleased to have an opportunity to say a few words on this important issue. I concur with Senator Mansergh that we would need more time for these debates so that the maximum number of Senators can contribute. We must try to measure progress in Northern Ireland in a different way from what one would do if we were discussing political progress in the Republic of...

Seanad: Road Network: Motion. (8 Feb 2006)

Paul Bradford: If Senators just heard the Cavan-Monaghan convention speech, Senator Wilson is on to a winner.

Seanad: Road Network: Motion. (8 Feb 2006)

Paul Bradford: The Senator may be called upon in the national interest. I have listened with interest to the debate. Senator Wilson referred to the Transport 21 plan, which the House has debated and to which I do not propose to revert. I trust that any Minister, regardless of the Department in which he or she serves, will want to do a good job and the Minister for Transport, Deputy Cullen, is attempting to...

Seanad: Road Network: Motion. (8 Feb 2006)

Paul Bradford: Prosperity and economic success have resulted in a significant increase in the number of cars on the roads. It is a matter of concern that the number of cars here per capita remains low when compared to other European Union member states. This means congestion problems will worsen as the number of cars on the roads increases in the next ten to 15 years. Few of us would have expected traffic...

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Feb 2006)

Paul Bradford: I support the call by Senator Ryan and other speakers for an immediate debate on the future of Cork Airport. We all appreciate the key economic importance of the airport for the city and the south-west region in general. We must insist that the commitment given by the Minister for Transport in the previous Government be fulfilled. I support Senator O'Toole's comments on the sugar beet...

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2006)

Paul Bradford: I formally second the proposal by Senator Norris that we set time aside to debate the position regarding the proposed Committee of Selection to discuss the Shannon situation. This issue was discussed on several occasions in this House before Christmas and it was indicated to us that the appropriate way forward would be to set up such a committee. A number of Senators appointed on an all-party...

Seanad: Energy Resources: Statements. (16 Feb 2006)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and congratulate him on his re-appointment to this political position. He has taken on an important task. I concur with everything that was said on all sides of the House and I agree very much with what Senator Daly said about the need to have a strong, politically driven energy agency. While we have groups such as Sustainable Energy Ireland we...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Mar 2006)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the opportunity to have an in-depth discussion following the events of last Saturday. Approximately eight years ago, the people on both sides of the Border gave their support to the Good Friday Agreement. The concept of tolerance and acceptance of alternative points of view is at the core of the Agreement. Sadly, the test of tolerance failed on the streets of our capital city last...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Mar 2006)

Paul Bradford: I hope the points will be made. If there is to be tolerance, acceptance and understanding on the island, we must challenge the extremists. Senator Ryan referred to drunken bowsies, which was part of the problem. However, we must consider who conducted the mayhem and vandalism, because they were not drunken bowsies. They were professional agitators.

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Mar 2006)

Paul Bradford: I look forward to an early debate because there are serious issues which need to be addressed. We have taken for granted and ignored these issues because we have been in a comfort zone for too long.

Seanad: Nitrates Directive: Motion. (1 Mar 2006)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Fine Gael motion. The Minister concluded his remarks by suggesting we withdraw our motion but this will not happen. I hope that this debate will be constructive — as is always the case in this House — and we can reach the maximum degree of consensus. The Minister is aware that the farming community is gravely concerned about the possible impact of...

Seanad: Nitrates Directive: Motion. (1 Mar 2006)

Paul Bradford: I accept that.

Seanad: Nitrates Directive: Motion. (1 Mar 2006)

Paul Bradford: We are getting signals from Brussels that the Commission is unhappy with some of the levels of grant aid. We need to clarify that matter because we must ensure that, if we are to have a new strict system in place, we can help people who are penalised as a result of it. I hope that the dialogue will continue between the Minister and the farming organisations. It is in the interests of the...

Seanad: Nitrates Directive: Motion. (1 Mar 2006)

Paul Bradford: In the coming weeks, we must try to ensure that people will sit around the table for a reasonable debate to reach a fair consensus.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Mar 2006)

Paul Bradford: The leader of the SDLP, Mr. Mark Durkan, suggested to the Government and the political parties over the past few days that the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation should meet to discuss a number of issues, including reconciliation, the concept of justice and the ongoing difficulties in the peace process. Mr. Durkan's suggestion should be taken on board. Over the past 12 to 15 months in this...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (7 Mar 2006)

Paul Bradford: I join the majority of my colleagues in welcoming this legislation. I welcome the Minister of State to the House and I hope the Bill will be debated in a very full fashion here. Traditionally in Seanad Éireann, we give legislation balanced and reflective analysis and I hope that will also be the case with this debate. In his initial comments the Minister of State said it will be one of the...