Results 5,701-5,720 of 7,765 for speaker:Maurice Cummins

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Nov 2013)

Maurice Cummins: The Order of Business is No. 1, the Protected Disclosures Bill 2013 - Report and Final Stages, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business; No. 2, motion on the report of the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine entitled Report on the The Grocery Goods Sector: Increasing equity and transparency in producer-processor-retailer relationships, to be taken at 3 p.m. and...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Nov 2013)

Maurice Cummins: The Acting Leader of the Opposition, Senator O'Donovan, as well as Senator Paul Coghlan and several other Members raised the issue of fishing quotas. I referred to it yesterday on the Order of Business. Following last year's negotiations, many people lauded the Minister, including on the other side of the House. Significant progress was made. However, the fishing industry has been...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Nov 2013)

Maurice Cummins: I look forward to that at the appropriate time. I note Senator Moran's points on section 38 funding. She has raised that matter on several occasions. The Senator and other Members also outlined their good wishes for our colleague, Senator Jimmy Harte. I am sure he will be back with us soon and will continue to win matches, as was said yesterday. Senator Ó Domhnaill talked about...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2013)

Maurice Cummins: The Order of Business is No. 1, Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2013 - Order for Second Stage and Second Stage, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business, with the contribution of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes and all other Senators not to exceed five minutes.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2013)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Thomas Byrne referred to the Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2013, with which we will be dealing today. There is no time limit on Second Stage, nor will there be a time limit on Committee Stage, within reason. There will not be a time limit on Report Stage. We can deal with today's business for as long as we want. Such an important Bill will be allowed the time it deserves.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2013)

Maurice Cummins: I cannot give the Senator any further information. Committee Stage has been ordered for Thursday.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2013)

Maurice Cummins: It is not within my remit to do that.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2013)

Maurice Cummins: It is not within my remit. Notice would have been given of when amendments could be tabled. Senator Bacik and several other Senators spoke about the expansion of university seats to all third-level colleges and institutions.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2013)

Maurice Cummins: I will certainly-----

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2013)

Maurice Cummins: I have no objection whatsoever-----

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2013)

Maurice Cummins: I have no objection to extending the time if it can be extended. There is no question about that.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2013)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Bacik spoke about Seanad reform and the expansion of the University seats to all third-level institutions. This is a matter that has been raised by several other Senators. As Leader of the House, I have no indication of when this Bill will be before us. I certainly have no indication that, as reported in the newspapers, it may be here before Christmas. I have no indication...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2013)

Maurice Cummins: Senator van Turnhout also called for a debate on the youth guarantee. The Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Burton, will be here with us all afternoon. Prior to the debate, I will ask her when she can come in to debate that issue. Senator Norris raised the need for reform of the vocational panels. That was the subject of a couple of Bills that were before the House before the Seanad...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2013)

Maurice Cummins: Such meetings may have taken place but I am not aware that they did. Senator Conway and others referred to the unemployment figures and the fact that 1,200 jobs are being created each week. That is a wonderful improvement on the position which obtained up to two and a half years ago.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2013)

Maurice Cummins: Prior to 2011, some 250,000 jobs were lost in a three-year period. However, everyone will acknowledge that there is a long way to go in respect of this matter. Senator Leyden complimented the Garda on its efforts in combating crime and called for a review of the free legal aid scheme. Senator Hayden referred to the first case involving the Insolvency Service of Ireland and requested a debate...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2013)

Maurice Cummins: Either the House or I should be able to address that issue. Senator Brennan referred to hospice services and volunteers who transport people to appointments. Those volunteers do wonderful work and it should be appreciated. The Senator called for concessions to be made in respect of car parking charges in hospitals. I do not know who has responsibility in this regard. It is probably a...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2013)

Maurice Cummins: I have referred to the concerns raised by Senators Jim Walsh and John Crown.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2013: Order for Second Stage (26 Nov 2013)

Maurice Cummins: I move: "That Second Stage be taken today."

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (26 Nov 2013)

Maurice Cummins: I assure Senator Sean D. Barrett that we will not be taking all Stages on Thursday. We will be taking Committee Stage when we will have ample time to discuss amendments. Report Stage will be taken next week. When I heard Senator Paschal Mooney state this was too little too late, I was reminded of the EU directive and when it was introduced in the first place.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (26 Nov 2013)

Maurice Cummins: At 10.30 a.m. tomorrow.