Results 401-420 of 4,132 for speaker:Donie Cassidy

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (28 Nov 2007)

Donie Cassidy: The debate on Seanad reform will take place in the House from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. this evening. I regret it is only a two-hour debate because it could last for an entire day. I ask that the Clerk present the 25 Members of the 23rd Seanad who were not Members of the Dáil or Seanad heretofore, and the ten Members who had been Members of the Dáil — 35 in all — with the last two reports...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (28 Nov 2007)

Donie Cassidy: I refer to all panels in this House and not just to the one whose representatives seem to be the most vocal. That is the nature of their panel but ultimately we are all Members in our own right and all have individual and collective responsibility. Senators Ellis and Feeney called for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to come to the House to discuss the...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (28 Nov 2007)

Donie Cassidy: The facts speak for themselves. Young Senators coming into the House with very good reputations should not get caught up in the political rhetoric of councillors or Members of the Dáil. We come to this House to discuss facts. There will be a major expansion of the rail network to the west, although that may not occur in Derry, Donegal or in counties to which we would like to see it...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (28 Nov 2007)

Donie Cassidy: Senator Ivor Callely asked about the up-to-date position on the pharmacy dispute. As Senators know, many public representatives from the Taoiseach down were very involved in this matter last week because we were all concerned. Meetings took place over two or three days with Ministers and opposition leaders and the Taoiseach met the pharmacy organisation at the weekend. I have a letter from...

Seanad: Third Programme of Law Reform: Motion (28 Nov 2007)

Donie Cassidy: I move: That Seanad Éireann request the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights, or a sub-committee thereof, to consider including in public session, the Third Programme of Law Reform prepared by the Law Reform Commission and to report back to Seanad Éireann on or before 6th December 2007.

Seanad: Report on Seanad Reform: Motion (28 Nov 2007)

Donie Cassidy: In respect of the point made by the eminent Senator Norris, good and worthy people are not always popular people. We have seen how the greatest people have stood for election and have not been elected at the early stages for one reason or another but have become probably the best parliamentarians we have had during that particular time in the country's history. When I entered the Seanad in...

Seanad: Report on Seanad Reform: Motion (28 Nov 2007)

Donie Cassidy: Tomorrow at 10.30 a.m.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Donie Cassidy: The Order of Business is No. 1, motion re Standing Order 94A, without debate, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business; and No. 2, statements on Chad, to be taken at the conclusion of No. 1 and to conclude not later than 1.30 p.m. if not previously concluded, with the contributions of spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed eight...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Donie Cassidy: I secured the site for it.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Donie Cassidy: Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Walsh, Quinn and Ormonde expressed strong views on the funding of primary schools. It is a challenge of a positive nature, particularly in light of the increase in our population. It is a by-product of the Celtic tiger, parts 1 and 2. I will pass on the Senators' views and I have no difficulty in making time available for a debate on the matter. Senator...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Donie Cassidy: The Bishop of Meath kindly donated, on behalf of the diocesan trust, a state-of-the-art site at Killucan. This was badly needed because the population in the area has increased by 140%. We are awaiting the green light from the Department, which approved the building of a new school, to proceed with the next stage of this project. Athlone has been waiting for a new community college for...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Donie Cassidy: Never was there a truer line in a poem or a song. Senators Keaveney, Quinn, McFadden and Bacik requested that the Ministers for Health and Children and Education and Science come before the House. On Seanad reform, Senators stated that they would welcome the holding of an orderly question time in the House, even if it was only on one day per week. I do not know how possible it would be to...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Donie Cassidy: One either has the gift for entrepreneurship when one is born or one does not. One must have drive, determination and ability. There is no point in appointing people on foot of their gender, they must have massive ability. One must be prepared to work 15 to 17 hours per day in order to succeed.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Donie Cassidy: As the Senator is aware, points of order cannot be raised when the Leader is replying to the Order of Business.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Donie Cassidy: Senators Quinn, Daly and Ó Murchu called for a debate on the challenges we face in the context of planning. I have no difficulty in arranging time for such a debate. Senators Daly and Cannon requested a debate on housing aid for the elderly and asked that additional staff be appointed by local authorities in respect of this matter. I will pass on their views to the relevant Minister....

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: The Order of Business is No. 1, motion re the Asset Recovery Offices, referral to committee; and No. 2, the Defamation Bill 2006. It is proposed to take No. 1 without debate at the conclusion of the Order of Business. At the conclusion of No.1 it is proposed to take tributes from party leaders and constituency colleagues on the death of a former Member of this House, the late Seán Keegan,...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: The up-to-date position on the health (long term residential care scheme) Bill 2007, known as the nursing home Bill, is that it will not be published this week as stated by some Members. However, it is hoped that the Bill may be published as soon as possible following Government approval. For the benefit of those Members who were not in the House in former times, when I was Leader of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: Members of the Opposition will wish to be prepared, and not just for talking on the Order of Business. There will be no guillotine on this Bill.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: I am talking about the nursing home Bill.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: There is no guillotine on any legislation that will come before the House.