Results 5,841-5,860 of 7,765 for speaker:Maurice Cummins

Seanad: Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (20 Dec 2013)

Maurice Cummins: I want to praise the Minister for her total commitment to trying to solve this problem. As several Senators have outlined, this is obviously an important matter for the families concerned. I commend the Minister on her efforts. Senator Ó Clochartaigh has mentioned a number of the hoops that have had to be gone through to reach this stage. Some Members of the House expressed criticism...

Seanad: Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2013: Motion for Earlier Signature (20 Dec 2013)

Maurice Cummins: I move: That pursuant to subsection 2° of section 2 of Article 25 of the Constitution, Seanad Éireann concurs with the Government in a request to the President to sign the Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2013 on a date which is earlier than the fifth day after the date on which the Bill shall have been presented to him.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (20 Dec 2013)

Maurice Cummins: The Senator should leave the officials out of it.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (20 Dec 2013)

Maurice Cummins: Members who have spoken will be pleased to hear I agree in principle with them on some points made on the valuation process. In my contribution on Second Stage I indicated that valuation should come under one Department rather than two. It is regrettable that is the case currently. Committee Stage of the Valuation (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill will come before the House early in the new year. It...

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (20 Dec 2013)

Maurice Cummins: I know they all welcome the support.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (20 Dec 2013)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Paul Coghlan has a Bill.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (20 Dec 2013)

Maurice Cummins: These people are elected. They are local representatives.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (20 Dec 2013)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Cullinane must be talking about himself.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (20 Dec 2013)

Maurice Cummins: What is the Senator talking about?

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (20 Dec 2013)

Maurice Cummins: It is proposed to sit again at 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 15 January 2014.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (20 Dec 2013)

Maurice Cummins: While I am on my feet I take this opportunity to wish the Cathaoirleach and all the Members and staff a very happy Christmas and a healthy and prosperous new year.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jan 2014)

Maurice Cummins: I wish the Cathaoirleach and all Members a very happy new year. The Order of Business is No. 1, Local Government Reform Bill 2013 Dáil ] 2013 - Report and Final Stages, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business and conclude not later than 9 p.m.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jan 2014)

Maurice Cummins: A number of members have raised the question of Irish Water or Uisce Éireann. As the Leader of the Opposition has pointed out, the Joint Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht and the Committee of Public Accounts have examined the issue. I have arranged for the Minister to come to the House next week for a debate.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jan 2014)

Maurice Cummins: I remind members that we debated the Water Services (No. 2) Bill for 18 hours in this House. A point was made in regard to Seanad reform. The primary function of this House is the scrutiny of legislation.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jan 2014)

Maurice Cummins: That should not be forgotten by anybody in respect of Seanad reform or Oireachtas reform. We do our duty in quite a good manner and I hope we will continue to do that.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jan 2014)

Maurice Cummins: In regard to housing adaptation grants, I have asked the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, to come to the House to address that matter in early course. I hope she will accede to that request. Senators Ivana Bacik, Aideen Hayden and other Senators raised the question of homelessness. Prior to Christmas I asked that...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jan 2014)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Katherine Zappone raised the international taxation strategy and asked if a sub-committee of the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform was examining it. I do not know but believe it is the duty of members of that committee to have those issues debated. The committee is the place at which these issues should be discussed. I urge members to raise the matters at a...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jan 2014)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Hayden referred to homelessness. I hope we will have the relevant Minister in the House on this subject. With regard to repossessions, there was a call for a review of the insolvency services. I will raise this with the Minister for Justice and Equality. Our friend and colleague Senator Jimmy Harte is very seriously ill. I spoke to his wife and passed on the good wishes of all in...

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Motion to Recommit (15 Jan 2014)

Maurice Cummins: The Senator is questioning the Chair.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Motion to Recommit (15 Jan 2014)

Maurice Cummins: If Senator Cullinane knew his Standing Orders he would know that the Leader of the House and the Minister have no say in such matters.