Results 481-500 of 4,132 for speaker:Donie Cassidy

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: ——the uplifting contributions made here yesterday and not some of the antics that arise from time to time. This is a serious House, not a House of entertainment. While it might be perceived as a more serious form of entertainment, it is not. I do not want the people of Ireland to think that. If we are going to have Seanad reform it will be serious and meaningful.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: I know the bona fides and sincerity of all the Members on that.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: Senator Glynn again called for a debate on organ donation. I already made a commitment on this and am endeavouring to arrange it. Senator Buttimer spoke on the Minister for Health and Children and the inspections were mentioned by Senators Prendergast and Corrigan. We must have the Minister for Health and Children in the House on this and I will allow time after the Christmas recess....

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: We will include it in the debate. As the father of the House, Senator Ross, knows, as do Senator O'Toole and I, who are joint second in length of time here——

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: ——and Senator Norris, no fair-minded person would look back at 1983-87 as a shining example regarding the national debt.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: On Senator Regan's call for a debate on standards in public office, we can have a debate on it but it will not be for just one party. As Christmas approaches and we think about angels and religious expressions, we will include all parties in that debate. Senator Ó Murchú spoke on the families of missing persons at Christmas and I agree with his call on anybody who has information that...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: It was a star performance and as there were so many events, meetings and committees in the House on that day I will allow time for the Minister to return early in the new year and continue yesterday's debate. Senator Coghlan spoke about the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. I shall have inquiries made for the Senator in this regard. Senator Bacik raised the matter of Government child care policy...

Seanad: Joint Committee on Economic Regulatory Affairs: Motion. (13 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: I move: (1) That a select committee, consisting of four members of Seanad Éireann, be joined with a select committee to be appointed by Dáil Éireann to form the Joint Committee on Economic Regulatory Affairs to consider:— a) the operational efficiency, value for money and the effectiveness of consultation and accountability procedures, and b) statements of strategy, annual output...

Seanad: Integration Policy: Statements (Resumed) (13 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: At 2.30 p.m. next Tuesday, 18 December.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: The Order of Business is No. 1, Social Welfare Bill 2007 — Second Stage to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business, with the contributions of spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes, those of all other Senators not to exceed eight minutes, and on which Senators may share time.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: That is correct.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: If I have to name Senator Buttimer, I will arrange to do so.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: Senator Buttimer is out of order.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: Before I respond I wish to take the opportunity to congratulate the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, on the completion of the national BreastCheck programme. The new units in Galway and Cork, which will cater for more than 140,000 women, were opened yesterday.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: On many occasions during this session, Senators called for the facilities in the west and south to be opened. As a result of the important expansion of this worthwhile service, initial screening will be made available to women so that breast cancer can be diagnosed at an early stage. I congratulate the Minister, Deputy Harney, even if this development is long overdue. When she came to the...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: I will leave it to the other Senators to decide. It is a question of discipline rather than anything else. However, in the spirit of goodwill at Christmas, I must remind all fair-minded Senators that the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney, came to the House on two occasions and made outstanding contributions. She did not need anything written down for her. She had it all...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: The suggested wording was very long and we are trying to make it more concise. On the other matter mentioned by Senator Bacik, which was dealt with by the Deputy Leader, this is a legislative week in the House and always has been. Legislation must come first. Senators Mary White, Donohoe, Walsh and McDonald expressed their views on the development of child care policy. Senator Mary White...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: Senator Kelly called for a debate on tourism. I have already made a commitment to have time set aside for this debate, which will take place within a month of our return next year. Senator McDonald called for a debate on gender balance. Everyone would agree that we would love to see more ladies in public life.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: Our Christmas party at Westmeath County Council yesterday was a sad occasion as two of our three lady councillors had resigned their seats. One, Senator McFadden, had gone on to become a Member of the Seanad, while another, Councillor Murray, retired for family reasons. It goes to show that this is not an easy occupation. It may not be that attractive when the sleeves must be rolled up and...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: The Order of Business is No. 1, Social Welfare Bill 2007 — Committee and Remaining Stages, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business; No. 2, earlier signature motion on the Social Welfare Bill 2007, to be taken at the conclusion of No. 1; Nos. 3 and 4, motions re appointment of chairperson and ordinary member of the Standards in Public Office Commission, to be taken without...