Results 721-740 of 2,017 for speaker:Paul Bradford

Seanad: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (14 Jul 2009)

Paul Bradford: I thank my two colleagues for allowing me to say a few words on this important issue which is causing grave concern in rural Ireland. I thank the Minister for his presence here at this late hour. We hope that he will pass on our concerns to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. It was sadly ironic that last week as the Government shut down the Dáil at the end of the political...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jul 2009)

Paul Bradford: I support the call from Senator Mullen and others for a full debate on the REP scheme before the House adjourns. While I acknowledge there was a brief Adjournment debate on the matter last night, a substantial debate is needed on a matter of such fundamental importance to tens of thousands of farming families nationwide. I will give the Leader a political health warning on the forthcoming...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jul 2009)

Paul Bradford: From the perspective of farming, the environment and the forthcoming Lisbon treaty referendum it is important that we have a substantial debate to resolve this issue. Hundreds of people are protesting outside Government Buildings but, more importantly, thousands of people are genuinely concerned that their only real source of family farm income has been removed at a stroke of the Minister's...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Sep 2009)

Paul Bradford: During the summer months all Senators will have received a significant number of representations from various groups which fear they will be affected by the recommendations of the McCarthy report. I look forward to an early and substantial debate on the report to enable us to ascertain what precisely is the Government's position on it. The case made by two specific groups, the rural...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Sep 2009)

Paul Bradford: I support all the requests for debates made by my colleagues this morning. The Leader received dozens of requests for debates yesterday and he faces a difficult job in prioritising them. A number of speakers have attempted to progress legislation on a children's referendum but at the other end of the spectrum the question arises of the challenges facing the elderly. I have previously...

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (7 Oct 2009)

Paul Bradford: I commend the previous speaker on his concluding remarks about the redevelopment of rural Ireland. Senator Ó Murchú presented a picture of how issues could be improved in rural Ireland by virtue of proper planning policy development and rural sustainability. Most of the debates on planning matters in this House in recent years have focused on the difficulties faced by many people in rural...

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion (7 Oct 2009)

Paul Bradford: I thank my colleague, Senator Coffey, for his generosity in almost evenly splitting the six-minute slot. I am glad to say a few words in support of this motion and I am disappointed the Minister of State's party colleagues have proposed an amendment. We have tried to frame this in a very inclusive fashion. Unusually for an Opposition motion it does not bash the Government, condemn or...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2009)

Paul Bradford: There are reports this morning that Nursing Homes Ireland is concerned that a registration fee which will be applicable under the new nursing homes legislation will have to be paid by nursing homes. My comment on that is, "Poor old them." Nursing homes generally charge up to €1,000 per resident per week. Under the new legislation, the families of these residents will be paying for their...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Oct 2009)

Paul Bradford: I agree with the three previous speakers who requested that we have an urgent debate on the forthcoming possibility of strikes and similar difficulties across the public services. Senator Alex White made an interesting point to the Deputy Leader, that it would be a useful exercise if we could use this Chamber to hear directly from and speak directly to the various interested parties. During...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Oct 2009)

Paul Bradford: -----and destroying the miners' union. He advised the Irish trade union movement to act in a similar fashion, but I certainly hope it will not do so. We have reached a critical juncture in the lifetime of this nation. We are all aware of the economic picture before us and the considerable challenges we face, and co-operation rather than confrontation must be the way forward. I am deeply...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Business Plan: Statements (29 Oct 2009)

Paul Bradford: I am glad to have an opportunity to say a few words in this debate. I am looking forward to the NAMA legislation which will come to the House within the next few weeks. In that regard, it would be important, notwithstanding the urgency of having the legislation finalised, that we would have sufficient time in this House to reflect on the legislation. There has not been any legislation...

Seanad: Developments in Northern Ireland: Statements (3 Nov 2009)

Paul Bradford: We need more time to debate this important issue thoroughly. This is my first time to address Deputy Martin in his capacity as Minister for Foreign Affairs but I hope I will have further opportunities to debate Northern Ireland with him because a considerable number of substantive issues remain to be solved. I first spoke about Northern Ireland as a Senator during the tragic times of the...

Seanad: Developments in Northern Ireland: Statements (3 Nov 2009)

Paul Bradford: I must conclude although I have not yet made a contribution. I hope the Minister will come before the House again soon to discuss this developing topic at greater length. A large number of economic, social and political issues were raised and need to be addressed.

Seanad: Developments in Northern Ireland: Statements (3 Nov 2009)

Paul Bradford: I think the Senator was talking about Kalvin.

Seanad: Developments in Northern Ireland: Statements (3 Nov 2009)

Paul Bradford: Mention that I spoke.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2009)

Paul Bradford: In the Leader's absence last Thursday, I raised a matter that has been raised again by Senator Marc MacSharry today and Senator Jerry Buttimer yesterday. It runs along the lines suggested by Senator Joe O'Toole that we would use in the immediate future this House as a forum for a genuine economic debate and presentation, where social partners and people concerned with the economic...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2009)

Paul Bradford: I do not normally leap up with a point of order, but I wish to clarify something. Will the Leader address my specific proposal? I understand that we have within our power the authority and ability to use this important Chamber of the Oireachtas to engage in debate and dialogue on the current economic crisis——

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2009)

Paul Bradford: ——and to invite witnesses, as we did with Members of the European Parliament——

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2009)

Paul Bradford: ——the President of the European Commission and the EU ambassador to the United States of America. At this grave point in the country's history, this House in particular has an obligation to respond politically. Will the Leader use his powers and engage with the Cathaoirleach and the appropriate body of the House to put in place the mechanism for urgent and immediate debate and dialogue...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2009)

Paul Bradford: I look forward to further debates on European scrutiny etc. but——