Results 521-540 of 7,765 for speaker:Maurice Cummins

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: I will bow to that rule. On the comments of Senator Hayes, my party was always to the forefront in offering sympathy to the families of the policemen murdered in Northern Ireland, who came under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement. The Taoiseach is on record saying that these murderers are not part of the Good Friday Agreement, which is why the distinction should be clarified.

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: Regarding the release of the murderers of Detective Garda McCabe, Sinn Féin is obviously driving the agenda. There is no question of it being anyone else. I agree with Senator O'Toole than an explanation should be given by Sinn Féin especially as the killers denied at the time that they were members of the IRA or Sinn Féin, or acting on their behalf. What is the status of the other two...

Seanad: Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (3 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: I move amendment No. 1: In page 3, before section 2, to insert the following new section: 2. — Within three months of the passing of this Act, the Minister shall publish the guidelines which are applied by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform in determining whether to grant leave to remain to the non-national parents of an Irish born child.". The Minister admitted in the Lower...

Seanad: Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (3 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: I agree with Senator Norris in that regard. The guidelines should be made more transparent than at present. They are a mishmash and spread throughout various Acts. It would be helpful if they were brought together in booklet form. I accept the Minister's point with regard to sending a memorandum to Government when the Bill has been enacted and putting a process in place for dealing with...

Seanad: Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (3 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: My interpretation would be different from that of the Minister.

Seanad: Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (3 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: The Minister was never known for that.

Seanad: Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (3 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: The Minister stated that the transparency I am seeking might mean that confidential and private matters relating to the applicant would be put into the public domain but I am not suggesting that. We all realise that it will be difficult to achieve balance in the situation and we recognise the difficulties faced by the Minister and his officials. I take the Minister at face value but we can...

Seanad: Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (3 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: There is much merit in what has been said by both speakers. In regard to the student issue I can see from where the Minister is coming. On Second Stage he said students are transient, in that they are coming here for their studies and then returning. In a recently published article it was stated there is much abuse of the system and that unscrupulous people are profiting on students as a...

Seanad: Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (3 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: How far are we from that system?

Seanad: Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (3 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: I welcome the fact that this scheme is being done away with completely. If persons have no association with Ireland they should not get passports, regardless of investments. The Minister has clarified the position with his remark that the situation still pertains whereby a figure such as, for example, Jack Charlton could be made a citizen of Ireland.

Seanad: Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (3 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: I move amendment No. 14: In page 12, before section 11, to insert the following: 11.—Within three months of the passing of this Act, the Minister shall lay a Report before the Houses of the Oireachtas detailing the propriety in the operation of the passports for sale schemes in the State.". The amendment seeks that the Oireachtas would know the number of passports issued for each year of...

Seanad: Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (3 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: I accept the Minister's explanation. He gave a comprehensive reply. Hopefully the Moriarty tribunal will deal with the matter. Regarding the 11 passports issued, the Minister has noted the difficulty in revoking such passports and citizenship. If the proper procedures were not adhered to at the time, is there a mechanism to revoke those passports?

Seanad: Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (3 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: On the statutory grounds on which passports can be revoked, in the case of the 11 passports and, indeed, others, are any checks done on the people concerned? Are those who made investments, in particular those 11 people, checked to see if they comply with the statutory grounds as passports can be revoked under the headings the Minister mentioned?

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Norris commented on the murder of Garda McCabe. Has the Government position on Fine Gael's amendment No. 12 to the Garda Síochána Bill 2004, in which we call for——

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: My contribution relates to the same subject as the contribution of Senator Norris.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: I will leave amendment No. 12 until we take the Bill. Is it the Government's position on convictions for the manslaughter or murder of gardaí that sentenced persons should not be eligible for early release?

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: On a point of order, I have just received notice from you, a Chathaoirligh, that you are disallowing amendment No. 12.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: A Chathaoirligh——

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: A Chathaoirligh, the protection of members of the Garda should be part of a Garda Bill.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (7 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: We are discussing amendment No. 12, which you have disallowed.