Results 841-860 of 2,017 for speaker:Paul Bradford

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

Paul Bradford: I support the comments of my Fine Gael colleagues and those of Senator Ann Ormonde on these amendments. The Bill, unfortunately, goes down the wrong road. Huge pressure was applied to the Government to take action on the question of puppy farms and solve an obvious problem. There is unanimous support for the regulation of puppy farms and the closure of many of them. Legislation to that...

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

Paul Bradford: The response of my colleague, Senator Coffey, was comprehensive and strong. The arguments the Minister of State made in defence of the Minister's position and thinking have been undermined comprehensively by Senator Coffey. The 1958 legislation, which has been referred to, can, if deemed insufficient, be amended to deal with any doubts, fears or queries which the Minister of State's office...

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

Paul Bradford: I listened with interest to the debate and read with interest the Minister's proposals and a lighter thought struck me. Our former colleague - I do not believe we can name people - who left the employment of this House and her political party some weeks ago because she felt her party leader was not providing for her proper employment prospects, would be a possible contender to be deemed an...

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

Paul Bradford: As with any amendments tabled, the wording may not be 100% perfect. If the Minister of State is willing to accept the spirit of our amendment, minor drafting details can be resolved. Everyone must recognise that the way the section is written could, in theory, provide for any person to be appointed as an authorised officer. A previous speaker asked whether it was likely that local...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Mar 2010)

Paul Bradford: I concur with those colleagues seeking a debate on the health service. I was very much taken by the comments of Senator O'Toole. To some degree I am speaking against myself politically, but when I reflect on my time in the Oireachtas and the various persons who have served in the health portfolio, namely, Deputy O'Hanlon, Deputy O'Rourke, Deputy Noonan, Deputy Martin, Deputy Howlin, Deputy...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Mar 2010)

Paul Bradford: If we want to see the Seanad working, can we not have this debate very soon? Will the Leader inform me what he is doing to trigger this urgently needed debate?

Seanad: Energy (Biofuel Obligation and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Report Stage. (23 Mar 2010)

Paul Bradford: I should have taken a tea break, since the argument was being made so well by my colleague, Senator O'Reilly. I support what he said and look forward to hearing the Minister's response and explanation of the thinking behind his amendments. It will be interesting to hear what exactly he believes will stem from the changes he intends to make. First, I should congratulate him on his safe...

Seanad: Energy (Biofuel Obligation and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Report Stage. (23 Mar 2010)

Paul Bradford: May we quote the Minister on that?

Seanad: Finance Bill 2010 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage. (25 Mar 2010)

Paul Bradford: I urge the Minister to take on board the arguments made in support of this recommendation, particularly by the previous speaker. It is somewhat unusual that an amendment is being proposed by an Opposition party in order to support a Government policy. The development of primary care centres is a specific policy of the HSE. I do not have access to accurate information but I understand it...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2010 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage. (25 Mar 2010)

Paul Bradford: Like in all Seanad debates, we have broadened this to make it a reflection on all tax reliefs. Since the end of the Celtic tiger and the downturn in the economy, the view has emerged that all tax reliefs were wrong. Senator Doherty referred to 250 tax reliefs. Just because some of those 250 reliefs were excessive or wrong does not mean all of them were wrong. One must concede that the...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2010 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage. (25 Mar 2010)

Paul Bradford: It is wrong to take up the new mantra that all tax reliefs are wrong. Is it wrong that trade union membership fees or bin charges provide for tax relief? We need to be careful not to throw the baby out with the bath water. This is a modestly worded recommendation. Had I been drafting it myself, Senator Twomey would have gone a little further. It simply states the Minister may - not shall -...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2010 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage. (25 Mar 2010)

Paul Bradford: We have become fearful, like rabbits caught in a car's headlights, of examining new tax reliefs and incentives just because many of the previous ones were not well designed, were excessive or caused problems. The Minister should show flexibility on this recommendation as it provides us with a wonderful opportunity for primary care centres.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2010 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage. (25 Mar 2010)

Paul Bradford: I congratulate the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary, on being given additional responsibilities and wish him well. I listened with interest to the previous speaker. While I have not read the Bill in great detail, I have read the explanatory memorandum. Section 25 deals with the disposal of what might be described as small sites. It states that, for the purposes of the exemption which is...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2010 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage. (25 Mar 2010)

Paul Bradford: I am content with the valuation aspect. While I might not have been listening as intently as I should have been, what is the position on the one acre limit? Perhaps it has come from somewhere else. It is my understanding that if my next-door neighbour wanted to provide a site and the field in question was 1.5 acres, he or she would not be exempt from the windfall tax. Is that correct?

Seanad: Finance Bill 2010 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage. (25 Mar 2010)

Paul Bradford: Perhaps this matter might be reviewed because many local planning authorities require that where a farmer is selling or transferring a site to a family member, the entire field which could be 2 or 3 acres must become the site rather than the site of one acre. Once there is a monetary valuation on the property, I suggest it is not necessary to be prescriptive about the size of the site. I...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2010 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage. (25 Mar 2010)

Paul Bradford: I move recommendation No. 14: In page 32, before section 26, to insert the following new section: 26.---Section 644AB and 649B of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 shall not apply where a change in the zoning of lands was contained in a draft development plan or a draft local area plan published prior to 30 October 2009 and adopted after 30 October 2009. The zoning of lands in the draft...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2010 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage. (25 Mar 2010)

Paul Bradford: These recommendations are important because while the legislative debate on NAMA has concluded and the agency is now in place to some degree, the political debate and the public concern continues. By any fair assessment there is probably greater concern now about NAMA's role, future and impact on every citizen than was the case at the time of the passage of the legislation. At that time,...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2010 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage. (25 Mar 2010)

Paul Bradford: Senator Coghlan is a member of the Industrial and Commercial Panel.

Seanad: Waterways Development (25 Mar 2010)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the incoming Chief Whip, the Minister of State, Deputy Curran. I congratulate him on his appointment as Minister of State and Chief Whip. I wish him success in his position. I want to speak about a situation causing grave concern in Fermoy, the repair and development of Fermoy weir. The idea of being careful lest one gets what one wishes for applies to Fermoy Town Council and...

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Mar 2010)

Paul Bradford: As they moved from the normal venue of Government Buildings to Croke Park, participants in the social partnership talks will have passed by Leinster House. I am disappointed that, notwithstanding numerous requests for the Seanad, as part of the body politic, to discuss in detail the current economic position and the social partnership models, problems and solutions required, the House has...