Results 601-620 of 7,765 for speaker:Maurice Cummins

Seanad: Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (8 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: We are not pressing it but we hope the Minister will honour the commitments he gave in this House on Committee Stage. We have no reason to believe he will not honour them. The reason we tabled the amendment again was to secure further assurances. However, the reply given by the Minister of State is as clear as mud. Nonetheless, we will take him at his word.

Seanad: Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (8 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (8 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: I also thank the Minister of State for attending the House and especially thank the Minister, Deputy Michael McDowell. We had a healthy and robust debate on the Bill and, as Senator Walsh stated, we are implementing the will of the people. We have done everything possible to expedite this legislation through the House. We needed proper balance and I hope we secured that in the Bill as passed....

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (9 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: I appreciate Senator Jim Walsh's support for what we are trying to do with this amendment.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (9 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: The purpose of the amendment is to introduce a more comprehensive series of paragraphs explaining precisely what is involved in the setting up of the policing committees. There was general agreement yesterday, especially from Senator Jim Walsh, on the proposed new paragraphs (a) to (g). Much of the debate focused on whether the wording of paragraph (a) would include town councils. It is my...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (9 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: We appreciate that the Minister has said he will revert to us on Report Stage. We discussed this issue at length yesterday and again this morning. We hope an amendment will be tabled on Report Stage which reflects our debate on amendment No. 45 in particular.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (9 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: I move amendment No. 48: In page 23, between lines 38 and 39, to insert the following new subsection: "(3) A member of the Garda Síochána below the rank of Superintendent shall not be eligible to attend a joint policing committee meeting as the representative on behalf of the Garda Síochána.". We feel there is no point in local gardaí or sergeants representing the Garda at these...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (9 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: The Minister stated that guidelines will be issued in that regard and we accept that suggestion and will withdraw our amendment.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (9 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: Speaking as a party whip I can assure the Minister that does not happen on our side of the House.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (9 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: I move amendment No. 50: In page 24, subsection (2), between lines 14 and 15, to insert the following paragraph: "(b) monitor the performance and effectiveness of the Garda Síochána in carrying out its functions in the administrative area,". This amendment proposes to make clear that one of the functions of the policing committee should be to monitor the effectiveness of the Garda...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (9 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: I listened attentively to the Minister and agree with much of what he said on amendment No. 50. In view of his explanation that facilities are already in place, I will withdraw the amendment. I am glad he will accept amendment No. 51. It is important that public meetings may be arranged at which people will have an opportunity to discuss issues arising in their estates and areas. As the...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (9 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: I move amendment No. 51: In page 24, subsection (2), between lines 19 and 20, to insert the following paragraph: "(c) the arrangement and hosting of public meetings,".

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (9 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: I move amendment No. 57: In page 26, subsection (1), between lines 11 and 12, to insert the following new paragraph: "(b) one person nominated by the Garda representative bodies;". I wonder why ordinary members of the Garda Síochána have been excluded from this section. The audit committee should include a representative of ordinary members of the Garda Síochána. Many people in the force...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (9 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: The amendment requires that one person from the Garda representative bodies be nominated to the audit committee. Were the Minister to consider excluding current or former gardaí from being a member of the committee it would go some way to appease me. I do not believe the independence of the committee would be affected by the inclusion on it of a former or current member with expertise in the...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (9 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: Some of us are not as obvious as others.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (9 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: Why is the emphasis on senior management being part of the committee with the exclusion of ordinary members of the force? I take issue with this exclusion.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (9 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: I move amendment No. 58: In page 28, subsection (3), line 13, to delete "As soon as practicable after" and substitute "Within 30 days of". The amendment refers to the annual Garda report. The report for 2002 was published at the end of 2003, meaning it took the Garda a year to complete. The report for 2003 was published in November of this year. Given the technology available in this age of...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (9 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: I accept what the Minister has said in that regard. It is a fair reflection of what we are seeking.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (9 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: The purpose of amendment No. 60 was to regularise what the Minister is already doing. We welcome the practice of making provisional and quarterly statistics available but we take exception to the way the Minister sometimes selectively presents those statistics and the public relations spin that is put on them. The statistics should be published in full and presented. The Minister has said he...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (9 Dec 2004)

Maurice Cummins: It is not beyond the Minister.