Results 381-400 of 2,017 for speaker:Paul Bradford

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Statements. (8 Mar 2006)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I am pleased to have yet another opportunity to speak on decentralisation, an initiative which I fully support, since I believe it absolutely necessary from a social, economic and infrastructural perspective. However, it has been dreadfully mishandled by the current Administration and Minister. I tell the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, straight...

Seanad: Use of Irish Airports: Motion. (8 Mar 2006)

Paul Bradford: The previous speaker stated that the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, had expressed his total opposition to a policy of rendition and also gave his view that the practice is not being facilitated by the State. This is what this important motion is about. It is not about party politics; it is a moral issue. It is deeply disappointing from the parliamentary point of view of...

Seanad: Use of Irish Airports: Motion. (8 Mar 2006)

Paul Bradford: Unfortunately, one neither defends democracy nor advances freedom by losing the moral high ground. Once we start allowing, or closing our eyes and ears to the illegal practice of torture and the possibility of rendition, we are truly losing the human rights battle and the moral high ground that Western civilisations have traditionally claimed. For almost 50 years after the Second World War,...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Mar 2006)

Paul Bradford: I just left a meeting with workers, sugar beet producers and community interests from the Mallow area. They are all devastated as a result of the announcement by Greencore last week to shut down the Irish sugar industry and bring to an end an 80 year old tradition of sugar beet production in this country. We discussed the matter in this House on a number of occasions during the past 12...

Seanad: Diplomatic Relations and Immunities (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (22 Mar 2006)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and assure him of my support, which was offered when the Bill was first debated some months ago in the other House. As the Minister of State noted, the Bill will insert into the guiding Act of 1967 a constitutionally required limitation on a legislative power which was delegated to the Government so that we can ensure that the granting of...

Seanad: Agrifood Sector: Motion. (29 Mar 2006)

Paul Bradford: I second the amendment to the motion, presented so forcibly by Senator Coonan. I wish to share my time with Senator John Paul Phelan.

Seanad: Agrifood Sector: Motion. (29 Mar 2006)

Paul Bradford: Last week, I called for a debate on the agriculture industry, particularly the tillage industry. In the immediate aftermath of the decision to close the Mallow sugar factory, the main focus was on the disappearance of the sugar production sector and the compensation package. The bigger picture of the tillage industry must be considered. As I said to the Minister for Agriculture and Food and...

Seanad: Agrifood Sector: Motion. (29 Mar 2006)

Paul Bradford: We will not tell Deputy Hogan.

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (30 Mar 2006)

Paul Bradford: I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to raise on the Adjournment the situation faced by the pupils and teaching staff at Presentation Convent Secondary School in Mitchelstown, County Cork. The Minister may not have any personal knowledge of the school, but I assure him that from an academic point of view, it has an outstanding record and history. On an annual basis, a large number of...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (30 Mar 2006)

Paul Bradford: I thank the Minister for his response and ask him again specifically to raise with his colleague the need for short-term accommodation. We do not expect a new school to be built next week or next month. That project is hopefully coming down the line. We would, however, be grateful if the issue of short-term accommodation could be re-examined before next September.

Seanad: European Council: Statements. (5 Apr 2006)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and thank him for his contribution. In the few minutes available to me I wish to make a number of points concerning last week's meeting and refer to some broader issues relating to the European project and how we can ensure the public's full participation in that. The Minister of State has come to this House and has attended the Oireachtas Joint...

Seanad: Diplomatic Relations and Immunities (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (6 Apr 2006)

Paul Bradford: I join Senator Mooney in thanking the Minister of State, Deputy Conor Lenihan, for his co-operation in expediting this Bill, which we considered with some degree of fullness on Second Stage. There was a limited number of speakers on this technical Bill because it is not politically exciting, although it is important. It was necessary for the House to complete its consideration of the Bill...

Seanad: Middle East Peace Process: Statements. (26 Apr 2006)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the Minister to the House. The political dispensation in the Middle East has changed with the electoral success of Hamas and the new Administration elected in Israel. However, the central problems remain and I concur with the Minister's closing remarks to the effect that we must remain focussed on the two state solution, which is central to hopes of a long-term solution to the...

Seanad: State Airports: Motion. (26 Apr 2006)

Paul Bradford: I would have been pleased to cede part of my time slot to Senator Dooley as he may have eventually informed the House whether he is in favour of his Government fulfilling the promise it made in 2003. That is the crux of this debate and the reason I support the motion tabled by Senator Ryan and his Labour Party colleagues.

Seanad: State Airports: Motion. (26 Apr 2006)

Paul Bradford: I have never read such a meaningless amendment. Every Senator is in full agreement that the House should record its appreciation of the growth in airport traffic, note how important airports are to the regions and welcome new investment. In 2003, the then Minister for Transport, Deputy Brennan, promised that Shannon and Cork airports would start out as independent airports without debt. We...

Seanad: Migration Report: Statements. (11 May 2006)

Paul Bradford: There is no need for the Senator to go there.

Seanad: Migration Report: Statements. (11 May 2006)

Paul Bradford: I congratulate Senator White on her broad-ranging discourse on this topic and, while it is not totally related to this debate, I agree with her comments on trafficking. It must be taken seriously. I am a member of the Council of Europe's sub-committee on equal opportunities for men and women, which is currently making a report on the possible danger of the trafficking of women as a result of...

Seanad: Ageism Policy: Statements (Resumed). (17 May 2006)

Paul Bradford: The Senator has 18 more recommendations.

Seanad: Ageism Policy: Statements (Resumed). (17 May 2006)

Paul Bradford: I am glad of the opportunity to say a few words and to follow Senator White, who will recall that in last week's debate we discussed facials in the follow-up to her contribution.

Seanad: Ageism Policy: Statements (Resumed). (17 May 2006)

Paul Bradford: It related to migrant workers and the service work they do. I listened with great interest to Senator White and particularly her indication that she is about to publish a document on ageism and the elderly. Her previous such document related to child care. We have had extensive debates on child care and services for young people while at the earlier part of life's spectrum we have had...