Results 461-480 of 2,180 for speaker:John Cummins

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: Law and order and justice are values which my party hold very dear. They are values I share. I am proud that since 2011 we have had a 54% increase in Garda numbers in my own county of Waterford, with a similar, if not greater, increase in civilian staff numbers. We have also seen huge increases in terms of the Garda fleet and the development of specific units within An Garda...

Seanad: Covid-19 and the New Measures (Health): Statements (1 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: That is fine. I thank the Cathaoirleach. I am in the cohort who received the single-dose Janssen vaccine, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.I welcome the Minister. He spoke about Ireland being the country in Europe with the fifth lowest mortality rate in respect of Covid. That is phenomenal and it is due to our high vaccination rate. He noted 42 additional ICU beds have opened this...

Seanad: Covid-19 and the New Measures (Health): Statements (1 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: Are we getting supplementary questions?

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: I wish to follow on from the theme of the contribution of my colleague, Senator McGahon, namely, Covid. I raised with the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, in the Seanad last night the issue of the cohort of 230,000 people who received the Johnson & Johnson Janssen vaccine, of which I am one and I know Senator McGahon is one. It is generally our age cohort that received that...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Covid Pandemic Supports (7 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: It is not an understatement that the live theatre and events sector is in disarray since last Friday's announcement by Government to cut the capacity to 50%. I do not envy the Minister or her Cabinet colleagues who have faced unprecedented decisions over the past 18 months, but I have to question the logic that sees public transport being able to operate at 100%, while safe venues, such as...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Covid Pandemic Supports (7 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: I reiterate the money has to get to where it is needed most, which is the smaller local and semi-professional groups. The scheme mentioned by the Minister of State in his reply stipulates that a group must have a turnover of €300,000 in two of the past three years and must have a minimum production value of €150,000. That will not cater for the very people who need to be...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: This morning, I tabled a Commencement matter with Senator Malcolm Byrne in respect of the live entertainment and theatre sector, the 50% capacity constraint that has been placed on venues and the challenges it is causing for local groups and not-for-profit organisations that are in the middle of organising productions, concerts and pantomimes. I gave the examples of Waterford Panto Society,...

Seanad: Maritime Area Planning Bill 2021: Second Stage (7 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: I thank the Acting Chairman. I join with Members in welcoming the Minister to the House and thank him for bringing forward a once-in-a-generation piece of legislation. It is a very comprehensive and complex Bill that runs to 259 pages. It is only right and proper that we acknowledge all of the officials in the Minister’s Department who have worked exceptionally hard on it, not only...

Seanad: Covid-19 and the New Measures (Enterprise, Trade and Employment): Statements (7 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: Yes.

Seanad: Covid-19 and the New Measures (Enterprise, Trade and Employment): Statements (7 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: I propose that Senator Carrigy and I both speak for two and a half minutes. I join with colleagues in welcoming the Tánaiste to the House. Exceptional times call for exceptional measures. There is no question that this Government and its predecessor, which the Tánaiste led, have put unprecedented supports in place since the onset of this pandemic. Schemes like the temporary wage...

Seanad: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2021: Motion (8 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: I welcome the Minister to the House and I fully support the horse and greyhound fund. Both industries are exceptionally important to my own county of Waterford. I grew up next to Kilcohan Park greyhound track. It provides many jobs to those involved in the industry and it indirectly employs at race meets every single week young people who go to school and live in the locality. The same...

Seanad: Maritime Area Planning Bill 2021: Committee Stage (14 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: I will comment briefly on amendment No. 3. Nobody disagrees with the importance of public consultation, but significant periods are set out statutorily in the legislation for that. To select periods, such as the first two weeks in August, as the periods in which consultation is not allowed is not appropriate. While the first two weeks in August might not suit certain people, they might...

Seanad: Maritime Area Planning Bill 2021: Committee Stage (14 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: It is important to say that any periods of time we are adding to this process has implications. We all say we are in favour of meeting our targets in terms of wind energy, for example. However, this amendment, as is the case with many of the proposed amendments, will add time to the process. We must be realistic with the public and tell them that will have a tangible impact on our ability...

Seanad: Maritime Area Planning Bill 2021: Committee Stage (14 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: Senator Boyhan is far more experienced at legislation than I am but he also knows that when amendments must be taken in their entirety.

Seanad: Maritime Area Planning Bill 2021: Committee Stage (14 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: I did not suggest that they did not.

Seanad: Maritime Area Planning Bill 2021: Committee Stage (14 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: I will be as brief as possible. I agree with many of the comments of my colleagues. I was a member of a local authority from 2009 and while I never served on a harbour board, my father did. He worked in Bell Lines shipping company and had a very good, in-depth knowledge of the area. Indeed, he had an all-encompassing view and served on the Waterford Harbour board and Waterford Harbour...

Seanad: Maritime Area Planning Bill 2021: Committee Stage (14 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: Next Friday.

Seanad: Maritime Area Planning Bill 2021: Committee Stage (14 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: Everyone's views are important, be they from any of the bodies that are suggested, or not, by Senator Higgins, or from individuals.I come from a coastal county, namely, Waterford, and this is relevant for everyone who lives along our coastline and anybody who lives in Ireland. The Minister of State is correct to point out that many of these bodies have been engaged extensively throughout...

Seanad: Maritime Area Planning Bill 2021: Committee Stage (14 Dec 2021)

John Cummins: He cannot take little bits of it to suit the agenda of the day. I am sure the Minister of State will reply on that. I wanted to make one other point regarding the Senator's original comments. He said he was aware this legislation would be challenged in the courts. That is very disappointing if that is the case.Senator Boyhan is aware that already before we as Oireachtas Members pass...