Results 661-680 of 26,396 for speaker:David Cullinane

Seanad: Budget 2012: Statements (6 Dec 2011)

David Cullinane: Other speakers wish to come in.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2011)

David Cullinane: I wish to second the amendment to the Order of Business tabled by Senator Marc MacSharry in regard to the cutting of fuel allowance from 32 weeks to 26 weeks, and the impact that will have, especially on many older people. We know from Age Action Ireland that 2,000 older people die every year because of cold. Reducing the number of weeks of fuel allowance from 32 to 26 will increase that...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (7 Dec 2011)

David Cullinane: The Senator should not forget the expenses.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (7 Dec 2011)

David Cullinane: We know where they go.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (7 Dec 2011)

David Cullinane: I will not waste my time, because I have two minutes. I have a number of amendments down and I am sure I will get to many of the substantive points I want to make. However, it is important to put on the record that guillotining Bills such as this, which are important and which deserve proper scrutiny, is not what the Government promised in its programme for Government. Many among the...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (7 Dec 2011)

David Cullinane: It can. Senator Gilroy should take a look at the amendments which my party put down and he will see that it can deal with it.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (7 Dec 2011)

David Cullinane: We are talking about reducing pensions again for senior officeholders and Government representatives. The problem here is that people get angry when they see Bills such as this being rushed through when it is about pensions and pay for those at the very top in the public service, whether they be judges or Ministers. It is regrettable that again today we are rushing through important...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (7 Dec 2011)

David Cullinane: -----Bills such as this.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Dec 2011)

David Cullinane: I move amendment No. 1: In page 6, to delete lines 18 to 44 and substitute the following: "(a) in the case of the Taoiseach, a 64 per cent reduction of remuneration in lieu of a reduction of 25 per cent of remuneration; (b) in the case of the Tánaiste, a 59 per cent reduction of remuneration in lieu of a reduction of 19.5 per cent of remuneration; (c) in the case of a Minister of the...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Dec 2011)

David Cullinane: It would have an impact. We are entitled to table amendments.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Dec 2011)

David Cullinane: If it was irrelevant it would have been ruled out of order.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Dec 2011)

David Cullinane: People talk about point scoring and then refer to the salary of a Deputy and former MP. Sinn Féin is the largest party in the North of Ireland because we are abstentionist. People vote for us on that basis. Deputy Sheahan is factually wrong-----

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Dec 2011)

David Cullinane: If somebody puts something on the record it should be corrected. No Sinn Féin MP gets a salary, rather they get allowances. All of the allowances are spent on their constituencies to employ people and have offices. The Senator should at least get his facts right when he comes into the House. Senator Gilroy said the Bill was not appropriate.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Dec 2011)

David Cullinane: The amendment is appropriate. Where is it appropriate to deal with these issues? The purpose of the Bill is to legislate for some of the voluntary contributions which are being made by government officeholders. We are saying quite clearly that it does not go far enough. It is entirely reasonable for us to make that point and table an amendment. It might be uncomfortable for a member of...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Dec 2011)

David Cullinane: We will not take the oath of allegiance to a foreign parliament. Your party might do it but my party will not.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Dec 2011)

David Cullinane: We will take whatever allowances we are entitled to. Sinn Féin representatives take the average industrial wage and the rest of the money goes back into the party. That is where the allowances of Deputy Adams go and the Senator knows that.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Dec 2011)

David Cullinane: You cannot stand over your policies so you come in here peddling mistruths about other people's salaries and allowances.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Dec 2011)

David Cullinane: We are in favour of pay parity.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Dec 2011)

David Cullinane: - - - - -on high earners.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Dec 2011)

David Cullinane: The Department of Finance supplied the figures.