Results 361-375 of 375 for speaker:Margaret Cox

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Jul 2007)

Margaret Cox: I thank the Cathaoirleach for his kindness and generosity to me over the past five years. This House always delighted in not being a rubber-stamp for legislation from the Lower House. All Stages of the Finance (No. 2) Bill 2007 are on the Order of Business and, while on occasion there has been an overriding urgency to deal with all Stages of a Bill in one sitting, that is not the case with...

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2007: Committee Stage (3 Jul 2007)

Margaret Cox: I proposed an amendment to the Order of Business indicating that legislation such as this is important enough to warrant more time for scrutiny in the House. Many Ministers have entered this House and have listened to Senators on various Bills but it is very difficult for Senators to address Second Stage, Committee Stage and Report Stage all in one go. It presents great difficulties for us...

Seanad: Ethics In Public Office (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (3 Jul 2007)

Margaret Cox: I am delighted to have the opportunity to contribute to the debate on this legislation. The Tánaiste's statement that the ethics legislation should be strengthened to deal with circumstances where friends offer support for personal reasons and accepting such support should not be likely to influence an officeholder or Oireachtas Member in the discharge of his or her functions or duties is...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Jul 2007)

Margaret Cox: I welcome the opportunity to say thanks to a couple of people. I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach, the staff of the Seanad and all those in the Seanad Office who have been so wonderfully kind to me on many occasions. I have been a Member of the House for ten years, during which time I gave birth to three children. I spent a great deal of time in the Seanad and I have many memories to take with...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Jul 2007)

Margaret Cox: I thank everyone for their kindness and forbearance at times. I know I have tried and tested them but I appreciate their friendship.

Seanad: Ministers and Secretaries (Ministers of State) Bill 2007: Second Stage (4 Jul 2007)

Margaret Cox: I thank the Leader for his consideration. It gives me great pleasure to speak on this legislation, although I understand my time is short. One part of this legislation which disappoints me is that it may have perhaps been the opportune time to take a broader look at what we needed to do in the reviewing of junior ministerial positions within Government. I have no difficulty in accepting...

Seanad: Ethics In Public Office (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (4 Jul 2007)

Margaret Cox: The Minister will remember from our discussions yesterday that while I welcome the legislation, it is sad there is a need for us to put this type of framework in place in an effort to rebuild confidence in politicians. As I said yesterday — the Minister disagreed with my view — in the past ten years in which I have been involved in national politics, I have seen a change in the attitude...

Seanad: Ethics In Public Office (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (4 Jul 2007)

Margaret Cox: As I see it, the challenge is that as the threshold will create a differential level, it may be possible or permissible for somebody who wishes to avoid the legislation to hand me a cheque for €1,999 as a support for personal reasons. By placing it in my personal account I have an additional €2,000 to put against my political fundraising or work such as a leaflet drop or an advertisement...

Seanad: Ethics In Public Office (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (4 Jul 2007)

Margaret Cox: I move amendment No. 5a: In page 7, line 16, to delete "€2,000" and substitute "€650". By creating a difference between thresholds it is open to individuals to avoid the legislation in place under the Electoral Acts and accept gifts which might otherwise be defined as donations. The recipient, therefore, can accept a gift of greater value than €650 up to the value of €2,000 without...

Seanad: Ethics In Public Office (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (4 Jul 2007)

Margaret Cox: I hate to harp on about the same matter. That is something people do for political reasons and it annoys me. I ask the Minister to have patience. I am obviously beginning to make sense and to get my point across. This year represents the first of five before the next general election. Let us consider a scenario where someone might give me a personal donation of €1,500 this year to help...

Seanad: Ethics In Public Office (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (4 Jul 2007)

Margaret Cox: Yes.

Seanad: Ethics In Public Office (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (4 Jul 2007)

Margaret Cox: I move amendment No. 5b: In page 7, line 37, to delete "€2,000" and substitute "€650".

Seanad: Ethics In Public Office (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (4 Jul 2007)

Margaret Cox: I move amendment No. 5c: In page 7, line 41, to delete "€2,000" and substitute "€650".

Seanad: Ethics In Public Office (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (4 Jul 2007)

Margaret Cox: My issue with this section relates to the increase in the limits. The limits were fair enough as they were originally set. I fail to see the need to increase them.

Seanad: Ethics In Public Office (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (4 Jul 2007)

Margaret Cox: I thank everybody for their very kind words on my time in the House and, in particular, I thank the Minister for his patience. I am sure I tried him today when he would have preferred to have the legislation passed more quickly. However, the debate was useful and I accept the differences in our judgments. I thank the Bills Office because its staff very kindly helped me late last night when...