Results 381-400 of 7,765 for speaker:Maurice Cummins

Seanad: Housing Provisions: Motion. (26 May 2004)

Maurice Cummins: The Government's social welfare policy features 16 cuts which hit the same people. The Government prefers to look after developers and the people who benefit from tax incentives.

Seanad: Housing Provisions: Motion. (26 May 2004)

Maurice Cummins: Minister, a wide range of measures is required to address the affordability gap.

Seanad: Housing Provisions: Motion. (26 May 2004)

Maurice Cummins: As long as people listen to what I have to say, I do not mind whom I address. The affordability gap prevents double-income couples buying their own homes. We must find innovative ways to tackle supply and demand issues. We require proper planning and priorities to be laid down to tackle the housing crisis. The Government is stale and lacks a clear policy to tackle these problems.

Seanad: Housing Provisions: Motion. (26 May 2004)

Maurice Cummins: The Government's housing policy record is absolutely deplorable and can only be considered an attack on the poor and the middle classes. People buying holiday homes and investment property appear to be a greater priority for the Government. There were 26,000 people on the housing list in 1996. The Minister of State says there are now 40,000 people on the list, but my figures indicate there...

Seanad: Housing Provisions: Motion. (26 May 2004)

Maurice Cummins: The plans for estates in Ballybeg, Lisduggan and Larchville are before the Minister of State and the money is needed. If we get the money, we will do the work. The Government was remiss in attacking local authority policies. The local authority on which I sat for 20 years had useful, innovative policies at all times to accommodate people on the housing list. That has been the case with the...

Seanad: Water Services Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (16 Jun 2004)

Maurice Cummins: Local government has had far too many powers removed from members, with more executive functions given to city and county managers. It is bad for democracy and removes councillors' accountability to the electorate.

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2003: Committee Stage (22 Jun 2004)

Maurice Cummins: I move amendment No. 1: In page 5, before section 2 but in Part 2, to insert the following new section: "2.—Section 33E of the Central Bank Act 1942 (as inserted by section 26 of the Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Act 2003) is amended by the insertion of the following subsection after subsection (1): '(1A) At least one non-executive person with experience in...

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2003: Committee Stage (22 Jun 2004)

Maurice Cummins: I move amendment No. 2: In page 17, line 43, to delete "€5,000,000, or" and insert the following: "either— (i) €5,000,000, or (ii) a sum equal to the amount involved in the financial impropriety, whichever is the greater, or". This amendment proposes to insert either €5,000,000 or a sum equal to the amount involved in the financial impropriety, whichever is the greater. It is a...

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2003: Committee Stage (22 Jun 2004)

Maurice Cummins: I move amendment No. 3: In page 20, between lines 21 and 22, to insert the following: "(5) Where a decision not to investigate or a decision to discontinue an investigation under this section is made, the Regulatory Authority shall—— (a) certify that the events or circumstances in question are such that do not warrant a full and complete investigation; and (b) publish the reasons why a...

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2003: Committee Stage (22 Jun 2004)

Maurice Cummins: It is obviously not there.

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2003: Committee Stage (22 Jun 2004)

Maurice Cummins: I do not believe the public would accept such an explanation. The public has a right to know in such situations. In most cases, the financial institutions are putting their hands up when they have been found out. It is like putting the cart before the horse because very few institutions have put their hands up without first being found out and informed of the errors and mistakes made. I do...

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2003: Committee Stage (22 Jun 2004)

Maurice Cummins: The financial institutions are not trusted.

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2003: Committee Stage (22 Jun 2004)

Maurice Cummins: I move amendment No. 4: In page 31, between lines 45 and 46, to insert the following: "(iii) to provide reports on the experience of his/her office and the climate for consumers in the Financial Services Sector which would better inform policy makers within and outside the Authority of the position of consumers;". The amendment addresses the position of consumers and calls for a report to be...

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2003: Committee Stage (22 Jun 2004)

Maurice Cummins: I move amendment No. 5: In page 32, line 20, after "decides" to insert ", a majority of whom shall be persons independent of ties to business engaged in the provision of financial services". The amendment calls for the appointment to the board of persons independent of ties to business engaged in the provision of financial services.

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2003: Committee Stage (22 Jun 2004)

Maurice Cummins: I move amendment No. 6: In page 32, line 20, after "decides" to insert ", at least 40 per cent of whom shall be male and at least 40 per cent female". The amendment addresses the composition of the board and proposes that at least 40% of its members shall be male and female, respectively. The proposal would satisfy equality legislation and the Government's stated intention as regards equality.

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2003: Committee Stage (22 Jun 2004)

Maurice Cummins: I cannot accept there are not sufficient males or females in this sector with the necessary experience. It is not acceptable to have less than 40% representation of either sex. It complies with Government policy but I would prefer if he would act. Actions would be more meaningful than words in this area.

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2003: Committee Stage (22 Jun 2004)

Maurice Cummins: I move amendment No. 7: In page 32, lines 23 and 24, after "Employment" to insert "and after the advertising of positions for application by individuals and after a process of independent short listing of applicants with suitable experience". The amendment is absolutely necessary because the short listing of applicants with suitable experience is a prerequisite in most areas. I ask the...

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2003: Committee Stage (22 Jun 2004)

Maurice Cummins: I move amendment No. 10: In page 44, to delete lines 13 to 15.

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2003: Committee Stage (22 Jun 2004)

Maurice Cummins: I move amendment No. 12: In page 44, line 52, after "it" to insert "and in the case of a Credit Union has made reasonable efforts to use fully the dispute resolution options which are made available to the consumer as a member of the Union". The Minister dealt with the issue raised in the amendment in reply to previous amendments. I accept this explanation.

Seanad: Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Bill 2003: Committee Stage (22 Jun 2004)

Maurice Cummins: I move amendment No. 15: In page 59, line 27, after "services" to insert "and that at least two members have knowledge or experience of systems for the protection of consumers". This is similar to previous amendments. People who have knowledge and experience of systems for the protection of consumers should be appointed. Senator Mansergh said that may not be a good idea but it is important,...