Results 6,921-6,940 of 7,765 for speaker:Maurice Cummins

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Mar 2015)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Darragh O'Brien raised the issue of the MS drug Fampyra, which costs no more than €270 per month. I will certainly ask the Minister for Health about the current situation. There is no doubt that the benefits of this drug are clearly evident from many people who receive it so I will try to get an update from the Minister.As the Senator will be aware, the company provided this...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Mar 2015)

Maurice Cummins: I also note the Senator's argument, with which I agree, about the Diageo campaign. Senator Norris argued that Diageo should turn its funding into a donation and withdraw its nominee from the board. This may assist in clarifying the situation. Senator Noone also spoke about drinks companies, and mentioned calorie counting. Diageo intends introducing this and urges other drinks companies to...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Mar 2015)

Maurice Cummins: I certainly agree that the Minister should investigate that, and I will bring the matter to her attention today and try to get answers. I would point out that 288 post offices closed down between 2005 and 2011 and that 22 post offices have closed since this Government came to power. Those statistics speak volumes for the efforts of the Government to retain post offices. However, I do not...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Mar 2015)

Maurice Cummins: I agree with Senator Mullen about the Seanad Public Consultation Committee, which met yesterday to discuss farm safety. The committee sat from 2 p.m. until 6.30 p.m. It was an excellent day's work and I compliment the Members who attended. I had hoped there would be more, but I compliment other Members who joined in as well. When the report is complete, the Minister for Agriculture,...

Seanad: Police and Judicial Co-operation in Criminal Matters: Referral to Joint Committee (24 Mar 2015)

Maurice Cummins: I move:That the proposal 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...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Mar 2015)

Maurice Cummins: The Order of Business is No. 1, Thirty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution (Marriage Equality) Bill 2015 – Second Stage, to be taken at 1.15 p.m., with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed 12 minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed eight minutes; and No, 2, motion re Thirty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution (Marriage Equality) Bill 2015, to be...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Mar 2015)

Maurice Cummins: I appreciate those comments.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Mar 2015)

Maurice Cummins: The Leader has no say in it at all.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Mar 2015)

Maurice Cummins: I assure Senator O'Brien that the system for those aged under six and over 70 will be up and running before the end of the year. The Senator referred to fampridine yesterday. The HSE received an application for the inclusion of fampridine in the General Medical Services and community drugs schemes. The application was considered in line with the procedures and timescales agreed by the...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Mar 2015)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Landy and many others welcomed the extra 2.5 hours for children with Down's syndrome. It is a step in the right direction, as many stated. It is a first step and it is to be hoped the hours will be increased. Senator Landy also welcomed the agreement at Cabinet on the situation of Waterford Crystal workers. As he correctly pointed out, it has been an anxious six-year wait for them...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Mar 2015)

Maurice Cummins: That additional work is being carried out without additional resources and additional allowances for councillors. That issue should be taken into consideration. If it was any other walk of life there would be uproar in respect of the increased workload for councillors. It is practically a full-time job at present. I note the Senator's points in respect of the Seanad Public Consultation...

Seanad: Children and Family Relationships Bill 2015: Committee Stage (26 Mar 2015)

Maurice Cummins: I propose an amendment to the Order of Business to provide that Committee Stage of the Children and Family Relationships 2015, if not previously concluded, be adjourned at 8.30 p.m. rather than 7.30 p.m.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Mar 2015)

Maurice Cummins: The Order of Business is No. 1, the Thirty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution (Marriage Equality) Bill 2015 - Committee and Remaining Stages, to be taken at 11.30 a.m.; No. 2, statement for the information of voters regarding the Thirty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution (Marriage Equality) Bill 2015, to be taken on the conclusion of No. 1, without debate; and No. 3, Children and Family...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Mar 2015)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Mooney asked about the Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and its 15-point plan for small businesses, especially those in rural Ireland. He called for the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Richard Bruton, to come into the House to discuss the proposals. I will certainly try to get the Minister in as it is a very important issue. The Senator made a...

Seanad: An Bille um an gCeathrú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Comhionannas Pósta) 2015: Céim an Choiste - Thirty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution (Marriage Equality) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (27 Mar 2015)

Maurice Cummins: Now.

Seanad: Ráiteas faoi Eolas do Vótálaithe: Tairiscint - Statement for Information of Voters: Motion (27 Mar 2015)

Maurice Cummins: Tairgim: GO ndéanfar an ráiteas atá leagtha amach sa Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Rún seo a fhorordú mar eolas do vótálaithe, de bhun alt 23 d’Acht an Reifrinn, 1994 (Uimh. 12 de 1994), i ndáil leis an togra chun an Bunreacht a leasú, atá ar áireamh sa Bhille um an gCeathrú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Mar 2015)

Maurice Cummins: The Order of Business is No. 1, Children and Family Relationships Bill 2015 - Report and Final Stages, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Mar 2015)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Ned O'Sullivan, acting Leader of the Opposition, spoke about whole-of-life assurance policies. I agree with him in that regard. Carrying out reviews after ten years, particularly when no such indication was given when people took out these policies, is flawed. As the Senator said, there is no refund of moneys paid if a person forfeits after ten, 15 or 20 years. I agree with the...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Mar 2015)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Whelan spoke about the cost of drugs. He also supported the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources regarding the need to ensure that large sporting events remain free to air, and he called for a debate on energy policy. We had a debate on energy policy with the Minister at the beginning of the term. There have been changes in the meantime in relation to EirGrid,...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Mar 2015)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Mullins mentioned the case of Ibrahim Halawa and the presence of the Irish ambassador in court. That is to be welcomed. The Government is doing everything possible to secure this young man's release. Senator Walsh spoke about crime. We had the Garda commissioner in the justice committee last week, giving a comprehensive report on her policing plan and the Minister had indicated...