Results 4,321-4,340 of 7,765 for speaker:Maurice Cummins

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Oct 2012)

Maurice Cummins: The group set up to consider the issue examined options for the reform of child benefit, including taxation of the payment and having a two-tier system. I look at the Members opposite and consider the hypocrisy of Fianna Fáil on the issue.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Oct 2012)

Maurice Cummins: I know the Senators do not like to listen, but they will have to because we intend to say it.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Oct 2012)

Maurice Cummins: The options in question were first proposed under a Fianna Fáil Minister for Social Affairs, Mary Hanafin, in a policy review of child benefit and associated programmes which she initiated in 2009.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Oct 2012)

Maurice Cummins: Structural reform of child benefit was also advocated by the previous Fianna Fáil-led Government in the 2010 national recovery plan. In that famous plan it was suggested structural reform of child benefit could include a rebalanced and integrated child income support payment system. This was to provide for a universal component, with one single payment rate per child, which would be...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Oct 2012)

Maurice Cummins: Has the Senator heard that anywhere within the past couple of hours? It is the same proposal.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Oct 2012)

Maurice Cummins: I announced on several occasions in recent weeks that the Ministerj for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton, would attend the House on 16 October.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Oct 2012)

Maurice Cummins: The Minister will come to the House and every Member will have the option of speaking. Again, I hope the Members who have requested a debate on the issue will attend the House when it is raised.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Oct 2012)

Maurice Cummins: The question on the VEC in Dublin can be addressed in an Adjournment debate. It is really one for the VEC. Senator John Whelan and other Members mentioned Archbishop Diarmuid Martin. His comments on both the children's rights referendum and the excessive amounts spent by families when celebrating a child's First Holy Communion and accompanying events such as parties and so on have been...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Oct 2012)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Mullen referred to the universality of child benefit. It appears that he agrees with Sinn Féin's policy to the effect that millionaires should also be paid child benefit.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Oct 2012)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Henry referred to alcohol abuse. We will endeavour to have the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Alex White, come before the House at the earliest opportunity. I did so last week but I again wish to thank the former Minister of State, Deputy Shortall, for spending so much time in this House and for always coming here when requested. I also thank the former...

Seanad: Thirty-First Amendment of the Constitution (Children) Bill 2012: Second Stage (2 Oct 2012)

Maurice Cummins: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Bill. Since taking office, the Minister, Deputy Fitzgerald, has been working on the wording of the amendment. The work of the Joint Committee on the Constitutional Amendment on Children and the contributions of campaigners, organisations and professionals who work with children have been instrumental in reaching the point at which we are holding the...

Seanad: Thirty-First Amendment of the Constitution (Children) Bill 2012: Second Stage (2 Oct 2012)

Maurice Cummins: Tomorrow.

Seanad: Thirty-First Amendment of the Constitution (Children) Bill 2012: Second Stage (2 Oct 2012)

Maurice Cummins: Ar 10.30 maidin amárach.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Oct 2012)

Maurice Cummins: The Order of Business is No. 1, Thirty-First Amendment of the Constitution (Children) Bill 2012 - Committee Stage, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business and conclude not later than 2.45 p.m. - Report Stage will be taken at 5.30 p.m. and conclude not later than 7.30 p.m.; No. 2, statements on the consultation paper, Radical Seanad Reform Through Legislative Change, to be taken...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Oct 2012)

Maurice Cummins: That is rubbish.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Oct 2012)

Maurice Cummins: The acting Leader of the Opposition, Senator Thomas Byrne, talked about what he referred to as the "guff" coming from the Government. We have heard a great deal of guff from the Senator today. As we have explained, the Government is a two-party coalition charged with the difficult task of clearing up the unholy mess left by the Senator's party in government. The Government is in it for the...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Oct 2012)

Maurice Cummins: The Government will strive to act in accordance with the mandate given to it by the people to clear up the mess created by the previous Administration. Senators Thomas Byrne and Sean D. Barrett raised the issue of consumer confidence. I will certainly request a discussion on this issue with the relevant Minister as part of our deliberations on the forthcoming budget. Senator Ivana Bacik...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Oct 2012)

Maurice Cummins: What can I say in response to Senator Paul Coghlan? He is calmness personified. Senator Noone has highlighted the fact that this is breast-feeding awareness week, while Senator Brennan referred to good news as regards tourism figures. I hope we will have further good news next year when the Gathering takes place.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (3 Oct 2012)

Maurice Cummins: I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that we resume Committee Stage at 5.30 p.m. and take Committee and Report Stages from 5.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.

Seanad: Radical Seanad Reform Through Legislative Change: Statements (3 Oct 2012)

Maurice Cummins: I suggest Senator Quinn, as one of the co-authors with Senator Zappone, lead the debate.