Results 3,821-3,840 of 7,765 for speaker:Maurice Cummins

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: Why did the Senator not ask the Minister when he was in the Chamber?

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: I reiterate what I said on a number of previous occasions, namely, that some Members raise points on the Order of Business and then disappear without waiting for a reply. That is absolutely despicable. Two Members approached me when they had made their contributions and stated that they were obliged to attend committee meetings. Others, however, merely swanned off as usual. That is just...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: If we want the House to succeed in the way that it should, we must be more responsible in our attitude to it. I address my comments in this regard to Members who are not present in the Chamber.

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: I completely agree with the Senator that it has been going on for too long. I wholeheartedly welcome the support of Fianna Fáil, which Senator Darragh O'Brien outlined, for the referendum on the fiscal compact, which will be of paramount importance in stabilising the economic situation in Europe. It will also be another vital step on the road to rebuilding Ireland's economy. As previous...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Sheahan referred to the cost of fuel. That is a matter which can be discussed with the Minister for Finance when he comes before the House. I agree with Senator Walsh that the fiscal compact treaty will put in place a credible commitment to responsible budgeting. I assure him that the Government is committed to securing a deal on the promissory notes. Senator Gilroy also referred to...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: People who seek debates should look into their hearts. I refer to those who request debates and who then do not attend when the relevant Minister comes before the House. In the context of Senator Harte's comments, I am appalled that a member of a religious order is urging people not to pay a tax and to break the law. If that is the case, then it is despicable. Senator Quinn referred to the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: I am honoured to lead tributes to the late Michael or Mickey Doherty, a former Senator and councillor who sadly passed away late last year. I express my sincere sympathy to his family who are present. He was a man of great integrity who was committed to public service. The widespread and heartfelt tributes paid to him after his death demonstrated the high regard in which he had been held...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (29 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: It will be taken next week.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (29 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: I apologise, it will not be next week but a week or two thereafter. I do not yet have a specific date.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (29 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: It is normal procedure to specify a date the following week even though it may not take place so soon because of procedural issues.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (29 Feb 2012)

Maurice Cummins: For the information of Members, I understand it is pencilled in for Thursday, 15 March.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Mar 2012)

Maurice Cummins: The Order of Business is No. 1, Protection of Employees (Temporary Agency Work) Bill 2011 – Committee Stage, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business and conclude not later than 2 p.m., if not previously concluded.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Mar 2012)

Maurice Cummins: The Senator is behind the times.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Mar 2012)

Maurice Cummins: We have had 18 hours of discussion.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Mar 2012)

Maurice Cummins: The acting leader of the Opposition, Senator Mooney, mentioned the leaking of documents. The document that was leaked yesterday from the German parliamentary committee is a European Commission staff report and not an Irish document. All of the key documents related to the Irish programme were published on the website of the Department of Finance on 14 February. These include the letter of...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Mar 2012)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Whelan spoke about the use of prefabs in schools. This has been a waste of money for many years. I am glad the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn, is acting on this, and I understand he will soon be addressing the issue of funding to rid many of our schools of these prefabs. I agree with Senator Whelan also in his commendation of the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Mar 2012)

Maurice Cummins: We are organising such a debate. Senator Mullen asked about the leaking of documents, as did a number of other Members; I have addressed that question. Senator Burke spoke about co-operation with our colleagues in Northern Ireland on health issues, which we would all welcome. It is important that we have such co-operation.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Mar 2012)

Maurice Cummins: Senators Sheahan and Conway spoke about the role of the Referendum Commission and whether we should have somebody here from the commission to outline its proposals about the referendum. The commission is an independent body, but we will see what can be done in that regard. Senator Norris asked when Committee or Report Stages of Bills should be taken. I was only adhering to procedures when...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Mar 2012)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Ó Clochartaigh asked for a debate with the Minister for Education and Skills on rural schools. We will certainly do our best to arrange such a debate, and of course we all wish Fianna Fáil well in its Ard-Fheis, which the Senator also mentioned. We all agree with Senator White in recognising the contribution of multinationals to our economy. It is an important area. The Taoiseach...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Mar 2012)

Maurice Cummins: I agree with Senator O'Sullivan that the lead-up to the referendum is no time for political point scoring. Let us deal with the issues that exist and avoid having other issues brought into it, such as schools or household charges. If we stick to the issues we will certainly have a "Yes" vote in this referendum. Senator Conway spoke about presiding officers and other staff in the context of...