Results 7,161-7,180 of 7,765 for speaker:Maurice Cummins

Seanad: Business of Seanad (17 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that only Committee Stage of the Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015 be taken at 7.30 p.m. We had agreed on the Order of Business to take Committee and Remaining Stages, but amendments have been submitted on Report Stage.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: It is proposed to take No. 1, motion re arrangements for the address to Seanad Éireann on 23 June 2015 by Mr. Phil Hogan, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, to be taken without debate on the conclusion of the Order of Business; and No. 1aon a supplementary Order Paper, Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety (Amendment) Bill 2015 - Order for Second Stage...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: We will hear from Senator Daly in a minute. He will have his chance.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: To defer 1a.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: Yes, to defer 1a.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: That is not true.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: The Cathaoirleach clarified the question raised by Senator Darragh O’Brien on Commencement debates. I will bring the reply he received to the attention of the Minister and his office. I cannot do anything further than that.At a meeting of the Government on 16 June last, it was agreed that a petroleum (exploration and extraction) safety (amendment) Bill would be published. This...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: In view of the strong representations that have been made by Members on this Bill, I am proposing to remove it from the Order Paper and defer our consideration of it until an opportune time next week.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: I know that departmental officials made themselves available for oral briefings on the Bill yesterday. Nevertheless, I think the Members of the House have been given insufficient time to deal with this technical legislation.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: We will deal with it next week. Unfortunately, that leaves us with just one motion to deal with under today's Order of Business.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: The Senator might let me reply. He has had his say. I will come to him in a second. Senator Bacik raised a number of items, including the unveiling of a bust of Václav Havel in Leinster House this afternoon. Senator Daly spoke about the papal encyclical on climate change and the Pope's comments on the matter this morning. I prefer not to reply to the points made by Senators on the...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: Therefore, the sale of the paintings was presented to the Minister as a fait accompli. The Senator is right in his assertion that a member of the National Gallery and a member of An Taisce were on the board that made that decision.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: I am puzzled by it. It is incredible that the board made such a decision without informing the Minister. I think it is absolutely disgraceful. The Minister was told that as a contract has been entered into, it is a fait accompli. The trustees have said they could be caught for a £1.4 million contract with Christie's if they opt out of the contract.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: She has met the chair. As I mentioned, this is what she was told.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: That might happen. One would never know what might happen there. I am not the Minister, but I think it is ludicrous-----

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Leyden has had his say and made his point. There is no point in chirping in like a peacock at every opportunity.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: I have replied to the best of my ability with a factual reply. I hope the Senator takes it on board.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Craughwell spoke about the employment status of councillors and mentioned a specific case. There is no doubt that the employment status of councillors needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. Councillors are told that they are paid an allowance, rather than a salary, and that they have to pay tax, PRSI and USC on that allowance. Senator Paul Coghlan mentioned that the Local...

Seanad: Business of Seanad (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: I propose a suspension of approximately 15 minutes. The decision not to adopt the Order of Business has a bearing on next Tuesday's business. No. 1 on the agenda was to bring the Commissioner into the House on Tuesday. Perhaps I could return in 15 minutes with a suggestion for the House to deal with the matter.

Seanad: Business of Seanad (18 Jun 2015)

Maurice Cummins: The proposal is not about the Minister, it is about the ordering of business.