Results 821-840 of 2,017 for speaker:Paul Bradford

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (10 Feb 2010)

Paul Bradford: I fully support the contents of Senator Coffey's contribution. Like the previous speaker, I also wish to know from the Minister of State the reason his senior colleague has done a complete about-turn. I regret that the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy John Gormley, is not present in the House and trust he has other parliamentary duties to attend to. He...

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (10 Feb 2010)

Paul Bradford: The Minister of State's reply spoke volumes. Truthfully, he said absolutely nothing. It is obvious that he read from a script given to him from elsewhere. He did not really answer the two questions posed by the amendment. Why has there been a change of Government policy? There was a Government commitment given in writing to grant a full exemption to hunt clubs. That was not promised...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Feb 2010)

Paul Bradford: On the debate on social partnership, we have to accept that there may well be a role for social partnership but the parameters have changed dramatically and it will now have to be very much secondary to the political decision-making process. My analysis is that social partnership is fine once the political leadership exists and once the dialogue and decision making begins and ends with the...

Seanad: Power Sharing Agreement in Northern Ireland: Motion (17 Feb 2010)

Paul Bradford: I support the motion and the amendment. I also welcome the Minister to the House. Senator Norris's final remarks summed up the position appropriately. He stated we had moved from the bomb, the bullet and divisiveness. When I reflect on the number of debates we have had in both Houses in the past 20 years, I realise it is tremendous that we do not now have to preface our remarks in every...

Seanad: Power Sharing Agreement in Northern Ireland: Motion (17 Feb 2010)

Paul Bradford: As my colleagues know, I am not into making silly political points. I hope that in the course of the Minister, Deputy Michéal Martin's time in the Department of Foreign Affairs or that of his successor there will be ongoing dialogue and changes regarding the political arrangements in Northern Ireland in so far as they affect the Republic and Great Britain. It is necessary that changes be...

Seanad: Power Sharing Agreement in Northern Ireland: Motion (17 Feb 2010)

Paul Bradford: It is great that we are debating this profound, lengthy and at times horrific problem in the light of a much more peaceful Northern Ireland and a much more politically co-operative solution. When one thinks of the journeys travelled by the so-called extremists, one notes this progress is one of the great miracles of our time. Colleagues in both Houses are privileged to be in a place of...

Seanad: Ombudsman Report on the Lost at Sea Scheme: Statements (18 Feb 2010)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important report before the House as a result of the decision of the Office of the Ombudsman to present a special report to the Oireachtas for consideration. As I understand it, this is only the second time since the foundation of the Ombudsman's office that such a report has been placed before the Oireachtas, which illustrates the extent and...

Seanad: George Mitchell Scholarship Fund (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (23 Feb 2010)

Paul Bradford: I am glad to have the opportunity to contribute. I concur with my colleague, Senator Healy Eames, in supporting the Bill. Senator Quinn's contribution was interesting in that he went down a road I had not expected him to travel by questioning the value for money provided by the programme. He also asked whether at a time of economic despair the country can afford to spend €20 million on...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Feb 2010)

Paul Bradford: As I was not present for the Order of Business yesterday I take the opportunity to congratulate Senator Dearey and wish him well in this House and in his future political career. I am glad to see my colleague, Senator Coghlan, has returned to the Chamber. Seeing as the opening bid has come from County Cavan, I expect there will be an invitation to Killarney on the way to Senator Dearey in...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Feb 2010)

Paul Bradford: I concur with the case made so sensitively by Senator Mary White. Her presentation to us proves the importance of liaising with all such groups that contact us, although we cannot always attend the presentations. I hope her suggestion will be taken on board. I agree with the comments about social partnership and the need for dialogue. We have often debated the matter in the House...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Feb 2010)

Paul Bradford: -----because in our own way we speak for the public. Social partnership must be held in the open, not behind closed doors. This House could play a useful role. Will the Leader please consider the possibility of arranging those hearings, which we can do if we have the political will?

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)

Paul Bradford: I am glad the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, is present to deal with the legislation. I hope his presence and responses will help to alleviate some of the concerns which may be felt, rightly or wrongly, by some of our constituents about the broader aspects of the Bill which we will debate later today. The amendment has been proposed by my...

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)

Paul Bradford: Senator Coffey used an important phrase, namely, "workable legislation". In general, workable legislation is good legislation and vice versa. I ask the Minister to reflect on the possibility of either accepting our amendment or drafting a similar amendment for Report Stage. In the context of the need to make an application within three months, we are operating in the dark to some extent....

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)

Paul Bradford: It is Senator Bradford.

Seanad: Primary Care Centres (2 Mar 2010)

Paul Bradford: I also welcome the Minister of State. I believe, however, that my Adjournment Matter is more pertinent to the Department of Finance than the Department of Health and Children. My request is that the Department of Finance make a degree of financial provision by way of tax relief, etc, to support the introduction of primary care centres. I seek permission to share time with Senator Ó...

Seanad: Primary Care Centres (2 Mar 2010)

Paul Bradford: Wearing his hat as Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy John Moloney, will be very much aware of the benefits which could flow to this country and every citizen if we were in a position to develop primary care centres. All the experts believe — it is shown by a significant body of research work — that perhaps up to 90% of regular health care services could...

Seanad: Primary Care Centres (2 Mar 2010)

Paul Bradford: I thank the Minister of State for informing me that the Ministers for Health and Children and Finance will have the recommendations of the joint committee assessed. I stress the need to ensure an early decision on the matter. There are dozens of projects which could get under way in the near future, providing a huge economic boost and, more importantly, a long-term health gain. If a...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Mar 2010)

Paul Bradford: I support what colleagues have said about the arts. Senator O'Toole made the opening comments about the bread and roses perspective. His presentation is very fair. Notwithstanding the financial difficulties of local authorities, they should attempt to support and promote the arts. It is important we are having this mini-discussion at this point on the political spectrum because there is...

Seanad: Energy (Biofuel Obligation and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (Resumed). (9 Mar 2010)

Paul Bradford: I trust I will be allowed to comment on the disappearance of Senator Keaveney from the Joint Committee on European Scrutiny. On a more serious note, I support the group of amendments in the names of Senator O'Reilly and others. The Minister will agree that the thinking behind the amendments is at the core of the legislation and in line with what he and everyone else is seeking to do in the...

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 Mar 2010)

Paul Bradford: He was more interested in cricket than in greyhounds.