Results 5,981-6,000 of 7,765 for speaker:Maurice Cummins

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Feb 2014)

Maurice Cummins: There are dramatic changes occurring in the postal service and revenue in An Post has fallen as mail volumes have dropped. In contrast, the business being done across post office counters has increased in recent years. An Post and the postmasters have worked closely together to win new business for the network. Banking services, bill payments and foreign exchange are just a few of the post...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Feb 2014)

Maurice Cummins: The Order of Business is No. 6, motion from the Seanad Select Committee on Members' Interests, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; No. 1, statements on Ireland's inland waterways, to be taken at 11.45 a.m. and to conclude not later than 1.10 p.m., with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes, those of all other Senators not to...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Feb 2014)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Darragh O'Brien raised the question of the IBRC mortgages and welcomed the fact that all bidders will sign up to the Central Bank of Ireland's code of conduct, while Senator MacSharry said the code of conduct is not worth the paper it is written on. I do not know where to go in that regard, with one Senator welcoming it and other saying it is not worth the paper it is written on. I...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Feb 2014)

Maurice Cummins: The other matters raised by Senator Darragh O'Brien will be addressed today by the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, which is chaired by Deputy Ciarán Lynch. In regard to the pyrite remediation board, Senator Darragh O'Brien welcomed the fact Members had the opportunity to meet Mr. Carroll and others. He urged people to submit their applications as soon as...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Feb 2014)

Maurice Cummins: There must be further discussions between the Minister and his counterparts in Northern Ireland. I agree with the sentiment expressed that the Six Counties should be exempt from the levy.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Feb 2014)

Maurice Cummins: It is good to hear Sinn Féin comment on the matter.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Feb 2014)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Ó Clochartaigh referred to the plight of rural towns and called for a progress report on CEDRA. I will ask the Minister for the report. He also referred to press releases. His office would certainly want to brush up-----

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Feb 2014)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Ó Clochartaigh's press office should learn who is the Leader of this Seanad and who is the Cathaoirleach.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Feb 2014)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Susan O'Keeffe referred to the report from Polish officials concerning beef products during the horsemeat scandal and false labelling. It is a serious issue and I suggest the Senator table an Adjournment debate to get the full facts and details on this important matter. Senator Wilson also made the point about road haulage, which I fully support. Senator Mullins referred to levels...

Seanad: Legal Proceedings: Motion (26 Feb 2014)

Maurice Cummins: I move: That Seanad Éireann, pursuant to section 4(2)(f)(v) of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Acts 2003 to 2012, hereby authorises the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission to instruct solicitor(s), Junior Counsel(s) and Senior Counsel(s) to conduct the defence of legal proceedings on behalf of the Select Committee on Members’ Interests of Seanad Éireann, and Seanad...

Seanad: Fines (Payment and Recovery) Bill 2013: Second Stage (26 Feb 2014)

Maurice Cummins: I welcome the Bill. I have been campaigning for a Bill such as this for many years. The current system, where fines are concerned, is an absolute farce. We all know that. Given that many fines cannot be collected, a mechanism should be put in place where people who want to do so can pay by instalments. There are quite a number of people who will not pay, irrespective of whether they can...

Seanad: Fines (Payment and Recovery) Bill 2013: Second Stage (26 Feb 2014)

Maurice Cummins: We need to address that issue. The Bill goes some way to addressing the issue. The Bill represents a major reform of the fine payment and recovery system. Once these measures are in force, every person on whom a fine is imposed will be able to opt to pay the fine by instalments over 12 months. Where a person fails to pay the fine in full, including by instalments, he or she will be...

Seanad: Fines (Payment and Recovery) Bill 2013: Second Stage (26 Feb 2014)

Maurice Cummins: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Feb 2014)

Maurice Cummins: The Order of Business is No. 1, motion re regulation on the temporary relocation of the European Police College, CEPOL, back from committee, to be taken without debate at the conclusion of the Order of Business; and No. 2, ESB (Electronic Communications Networks) Bill 2013 - Committee and Remaining Stages, to be taken at 11.45 a.m. I wish to inform the House that next week we will...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Feb 2014)

Maurice Cummins: The Senator is rowdy.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Feb 2014)

Maurice Cummins: Senator O'Brien asked about the status of Senator Quinn's Bill. It has been passed by Seanad Éireann and the other House will decide where and when it will proceed. The Government accepted Committee Stage of the Parental Leave Bill 2013 and, as the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, outlined, the Government has many reservations about the Bill. Nevertheless, it was prepared to...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Feb 2014)

Maurice Cummins: -----but when it is, we will arrange to have a debate in the House. I also note her points on Ukraine and the request for a debate on the matter. Senators Barrett and Wilson called for a debate on Northern Ireland and I will request the Taoiseach to come here for that. Senator Coghlan commented on Senator Quinn's Bill. Senators O'Donovan and Wilson spoke about post offices and rural...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Feb 2014)

Maurice Cummins: I note Senator Norris's comments regarding the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, and the Garda Commissioner, and Senator Walsh had similar comments. I do not share that opinion. Senator O'Keeffe spoke about domestic violence, a point raised by Senator Bacik, and we will have a debate on the matter when the report is complete. Senator Ó Clochartaigh clarified Sinn...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Feb 2014)

Maurice Cummins: I have already mentioned Senator Wilson's contribution, and I note his comments on rural Ireland. I also note Senator Gilroy's comments in that regard. Senator Quinn mentioned the licensing of livestock ships. I will bring the matter to the attention of the Minister, Deputy Coveney.

Seanad: European Police College: Motion (27 Feb 2014)

Maurice Cummins: I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion under Protocol No. 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, to take part in the adoption and application of the following proposed...