Results 361-380 of 2,438 for speaker:Caít Keane

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2012)

Caít Keane: In addition, I ask that the litir um toghcháin not be-----

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2012)

Caít Keane: -----separate for every candidate but that there would be one litir um toghcháin with all the candidates. This would cut down-----

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2012)

Caít Keane: Everyone is talking about it and no one is prepared to cut their own cloth. I am asking-----

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2012)

Caít Keane: I will do that. Obviously, from the reception I have received, no one is prepared to cut their own cloth.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Feb 2012)

Caít Keane: I thank the Senator.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(Political Funding) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (15 Feb 2012)

Caít Keane: I agree. If this is ruled out of order it is not that I oppose it. I would like to hear the Minister's response. The item is ruled out of order, although not in regard to this section or this Bill. However, it may be looked at and I recommend that the Minister do this. I agree with everything stated by Senator Mac Conghail about transparency and funding for Independent Senators. I...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(Political Funding) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (15 Feb 2012)

Caít Keane: I agree with Senator Bradford's point about buying votes, the more money one has or can give or can throw around. Presumably the aim of giving money to various people is to help the cause but there are other objectives too, asking for help to get re-elected, or whatever. Senator Bradford is right that this should be looked at. Even now, with so many cutbacks, various community...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(Political Funding) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (15 Feb 2012)

Caít Keane: And attack the graffiti. How much would that save? Less money would have to be raised for the political system if things were done more smartly. We are in the information age and many advances are being made to ensure every community is IT friendly. I do not seek a reply from the Minister now but I ask him to examine this issue in the local government review.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(Political Funding) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (15 Feb 2012)

Caít Keane: Or the races.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(Political Funding) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (15 Feb 2012)

Caít Keane: There probably is not one of us, as politicians, who would not like to see all types of political donation banned, if this were possible. The first thing we have to do when we get rid of one source of funding is to identify a second source of funding. That is the reason for the Moriarty tribunal. We should look at how things are funded in other countries, sometimes from the national purse....

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(Political Funding) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (15 Feb 2012)

Caít Keane: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(Political Funding) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (15 Feb 2012)

Caít Keane: A goose.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(Political Funding) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (15 Feb 2012)

Caít Keane: One item comes back to funding, including Senators' funding, and for what it is used. Senators should not have constituency offices and that should be outlawed.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(Political Funding) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (15 Feb 2012)

Caít Keane: We are talking about funding and I ask the Minister to look at this issue because Senators are elected nationally.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(Political Funding) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (15 Feb 2012)

Caít Keane: If so, why did the Cathaoirleach allow everybody else speak on it?

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(Political Funding) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (15 Feb 2012)

Caít Keane: Senators Cullinane and Norris spoke on it for approximately half an hour. Senators should not have constituency offices and we would do the House a service if we banned such offices altogether. We can do research in our offices with the library facilities here. We would do the Seanad a service if we banned them because Senators are different from constituency politicians and we have to...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(Political Funding) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (15 Feb 2012)

Caít Keane: They do not have our Constitution.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(Political Funding) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (15 Feb 2012)

Caít Keane: The same advice was given by previous Attorneys General.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(Political Funding) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (15 Feb 2012)

Caít Keane: It is my recollection that a previous Attorney General recommended that a ban on corporate donations would be unconstitutional. It is not just the incumbent in that office who has given this advice.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(Political Funding) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (15 Feb 2012)

Caít Keane: I am of the view that there should be transparency in respect of all funding. As stated previously, such transparency should apply to Independent Senators. The Minister provided the answer in respect of this matter in his earlier contribution when he stated that the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has responsibility in this area. He indicated that he will discuss the matter...