Results 7,041-7,060 of 7,765 for speaker:Maurice Cummins

Seanad: Report of the Working Group on Seanad Reform 2015: Statements (5 May 2015)

Maurice Cummins: No. I think both Dr. Manning and Mr. O'Toole will reply to the debate. Both will speak initially and both will reply to it.

Seanad: Report of the Working Group on Seanad Reform 2015: Statements (5 May 2015)

Maurice Cummins: I would like to welcome Dr. Maurice Manning, the chairman of the working group, and Mr. Joe O'Toole. I thank all the members of the working group for their time, dedication and professionalism in compiling this latest report on Seanad reform.

Seanad: Report of the Working Group on Seanad Reform 2015: Statements (5 May 2015)

Maurice Cummins: It is my fervent wish that this will be the last report on Seanad reform-----

Seanad: Report of the Working Group on Seanad Reform 2015: Statements (5 May 2015)

Maurice Cummins: -----and that many of the proposals contained therein will be acted upon.When people talk about Seanad reform, some refer to the business of the House, how it is run, its content and relevance. Others view reform of the Seanad as a matter of changing the electoral process and the manner in which Senators are elected, giving all members of the public eligible to vote in Dáil elections a...

Seanad: Report of the Working Group on Seanad Reform 2015: Statements (5 May 2015)

Maurice Cummins: What about the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht?

Seanad: Report of the Working Group on Seanad Reform 2015: Statements (5 May 2015)

Maurice Cummins: I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, that we conclude at 6.15 p.m. and that Dr. Manning and Mr. O'Toole would reply at 6 p.m. That would allow the remaining five or six Members offering to contribute.

Seanad: Report of the Working Group on Seanad Reform 2015: Statements (5 May 2015)

Maurice Cummins: At 2.30 p.m. tomorrow.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 May 2015)

Maurice Cummins: The Order of Business is No. 64, motion 15, to be taken at 4.45 p.m., with the time allocated for the debate not to exceed two hours; and No. 1, statements on the spring economic statement, to be taken at 7 p.m. and to adjourn not later than 9 p.m., if not previously concluded.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 May 2015)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Ó Domhnaill referred to Seanad reform proposals. As the Leas-Chathaoirleach stated, we will be having further debates on the proposals before we deal with any Bill. I have copies of the draft Bill, which were furnished to me by Dr. Manning yesterday. It is a draft Bill and has not been published. I gave an indication that the House will have a further more lengthy debate on...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 May 2015)

Maurice Cummins: The Order of Business is No. 1, Sport Ireland Bill 2014 - Report and Final Stages, to be taken at 12.45 p.m. and to conclude not later than 2.30 p.m.; and No. 2, statements on Europe Day and the European Commission's work programme, to be taken at 3 p.m. and to conclude not later than 4.30 p.m.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 May 2015)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Daly raised the question of corporation tax. Corporation tax is a matter for this Government. It has stated that corporation tax will remain the same, irrespective of what the Senator may feel. I was surprised that Senator Daly raised the question of borrowing. When we took office the country could not raise any money on the financial markets. We could not borrow but the deficit...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 May 2015)

Maurice Cummins: Of course, Fianna Fáil would know nothing about buying elections.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 May 2015)

Maurice Cummins: We know that. It was probably other people who voted for his party. I have outlined the situation for credit on the international markets. I am surprised that a Fianna Fáil Member on the other side would raise a question on borrowing.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 May 2015)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Bacik mentioned crime rates and burglaries. We have asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to debate the matter. In regard to moves on collective bargaining, an issue also raised by Senator Higgins in the context of zero-hours contracts, as Senators will know, the Low Pay Commission will report back and I am sure the matter will be addressed by legislation at that time. I will...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 May 2015)

Maurice Cummins: I can assure the Senator I have no influence in that regard. Senator David Norris made a similar point about the ordering of business. We will certainly consider whether we should retain the Commencement debate or revert to the Adjournment debate and have the Order of Business at 10.30 a.m., but I do not see too much change. There were not many more Senators present when we had the Order...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 May 2015)

Maurice Cummins: My God, when one hears it talking about there being no increases for the public service, bearing in mind that it introduced the universal social charge and the pension levy, and about morale in the public service and there being no reform, one wonders what the Croke Park and Haddington Road agreements were about. The public service made significant reforms through these agreements. Pay...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 May 2015)

Maurice Cummins: No. 1, Sport Ireland Bill 2014 - Report and Final Stages, is to be taken at 12.45 p.m. and conclude not later than 2.30 p.m. No. 2, statements on Europe Day and the European Commission's work programme, is to be taken at 3 p.m. and conclude not later than 4.30 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes and those of all other...

Seanad: Europe Day and European Commission Work Programme: Statements (7 May 2015)

Maurice Cummins: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Murphy, to the House to discuss Europe Day, which we will celebrate on Saturday, and the European Commission's 2015 work programme. As Senator van Turnhout mentioned, I invited Ms Barbara Nolan, Head of the European Commission Representation in Ireland, here last week where Senators had the opportunity to discuss the Commission's 2015 work programme,...

Seanad: EU Scrutiny Work Programme 2015: Motion (7 May 2015)

Maurice Cummins: I move: That Seanad Éireann adopts the 'EU Scrutiny Work Programme 2015, Joint Committees' Priorities' which was laid before Seanad Éireann on 9 April 2015 by the Joint Committee on European Union Affairs."

Seanad: EU Scrutiny Work Programme 2015: Motion (7 May 2015)

Maurice Cummins: Ag leathuair tar éis a dó on Tuesday next.