Results 441-460 of 4,132 for speaker:Donie Cassidy

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: We will clarify the matter.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: This is not on. The Minister of State has been waiting 15 minutes.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: Many Members asked for an all-party motion on the difficulties of a Green Party leader in Colombia which I fully support and hope to have on the agenda for the leaders' meeting next Tuesday. I welcome the budget, of which 29% is being spent on health and 31% on social welfare, making 60% on the two areas, on behalf of the underprivileged, senior citizens and those on the margins. For a...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: Senator Alex White's party was part of that Government. Fine Gael was not alone. I recall Minister Blythe——

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: That is where we start from. If one does not know where one comes from one will certainly not know where one is going. That is why the Opposition has been there for 20 years. It is 25 years since Fine Gael had a mandate, of its five leaders in that time, only one got a mandate. We will never forget Garret FitzGerald, between 1983 and 1987.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: Fair comment must be accepted and I will always accede to it but the facts speak for themselves.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: If the new young Opposition leaders are factual and constructive they will be pushing an open door with me. Many Senators called for a debate on housing which would be worthwhile. There will be a major housing initiative in February and we will invite the Minister of State with responsibility for this area, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, to the House. I thank Senator McFadden for raising the issue...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: The budget sought to invest for the future, promote the environment, protect the vulnerable, foster innovation and enterprise and reward work.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: This is what parts 1 and 2 of the Celtic tiger achieved in the past ten years and long may it continue. Yesterday's budget was an honest attempt to address the difficult areas of housing the Senator has correctly highlighted to the House. Some houses were overpriced, the market had to level and the Government could not get involved, so this could be the right time to do the right thing, as...

Seanad: Asset Recovery Offices: Motion (6 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion provided by Article 1.11 of the Treaty of Amsterdam to take part in the adoption of the following proposed measure: a proposal for a Council Decision concerning co-operation between Asset Recovery Offices of the Member States in the field of tracing and identification of proceeds from, or other...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: Cathaoirleach, I would like to be associated with your kind expressions of welcome to the magnificent seven here today, who served our country with great distinction. Senator Tom Fitzgerald was Government Whip in this House when I was Leader. The Order of Business is No. 9, motion re Regional Fisheries Boards (Postponement of Elections) Order 2007; No. 10, motion re Fisheries (Miscellaneous...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: Twenty-one Senators raised the issue of the "Prime Time Investigates" programme. I also compliment RTE on the professionalism it displayed last night in bringing the scourge of cocaine abuse to the attention of the nation. We all await with bated breath the second part of the programme tonight. As a national broadcaster, RTE must be commended. It was said that we are often dissatisfied,...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: I am prepared to forgo Private Members' business on behalf of the Government side to give Senators as much time as possible to make their contributions on this issue, starting at 5 p.m. next Wednesday. I will discuss with the Leaders after the Order of Business on Thursday morning how to prepare and make proposals to address the concerns of the House in respect of that matter. We had a...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: Everyone, not just those in the political system but the entire country, must come on side in respect of this challenge. Many good proposals have been made. The Garda Commissioner said today that he needs the total co-operation of everyone in the State. Thank God for closed circuit television systems and for private enterprise which is making CCTV systems available to gardaí to assist...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: The people gave their response last May. They were happy.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: Walking is the cheapest and the best form of exercise. He should ready his colleagues in the Labour Party to go walking again.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: Members on this side of the House have proved they are champions at walking. I am not trivialising the matter, it is a worthwhile subject of debate. Senators O'Donovan and Buttimer highlighted the serious challenge to the Cork-Swansea ferry. After the Order of Business I will see what I can do by contacting the Minister's office to assist this serious situation. Senator Kelly called for a...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: It will be an historic occasion and it is incredible that our Taoiseach is acknowledged and recognised outside the country.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: Some within the country may not acknowledge what he has done but we must give credit where it is due. The Taoiseach gave a commitment at the weekend to continue to treat the question of the undocumented Irish as a top priority. He will deal with the matter during his address to the joint sitting of the United States Congress. Senator McFadden requested a debate on transport, especially in...

Seanad: Fisheries Orders: Motions (11 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the following order in draft: Regional Fisheries Boards (Postponement of Elections) Order 2007, copies of which were laid before Seanad Éireann on 8 November 2007.