Results 961-980 of 2,017 for speaker:Paul Bradford

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2010)

Paul Bradford: I want the European Court of Auditors report to be debated at some stage today.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2010)

Paul Bradford: Yes.

Seanad: Overcrowding in Prisons: Statements (Resumed). (11 Nov 2010)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the opportunity to comment briefly on the inspector's report and the many reports of his predecessors which have provided much food for thought and debate in this and the Lower House. It must be acknowledged that every society has prisons and prisoners. Prison is an emotive word. Sadly, it remains a necessary part of the maintenance of social order in this country and in other...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2010)

Paul Bradford: I concur with Senator Donohoe regarding the approach which is now necessary. This House has been debating the country's economic plight effectively, albeit perhaps without conclusion, over recent months and these debates must continue. I look forward to the Leader attempting to initiate a fuller debate during the week. As I have said previously, the politics of the blame game are now...

Seanad: Death of Member: Expressions of Sympathy (17 Nov 2010)

Paul Bradford: I thank the Cathaoirleach for this opportunity to say a few words of tribute to Senator Phelan. I listened with great interest over the past two hours to the words and comments of my colleagues and for once we can safely say that not a lie was spoken in this House. Every word we have heard over the past two hours about Kieran is absolutely true. I extend my heartfelt sympathy to his wife,...

Seanad: Sugar Market Reform (17 Nov 2010)

Paul Bradford: I always feared during these powerful Adjournment debates that Ministers and Ministers of State knew the answers before they had heard the questions.

Seanad: Sugar Market Reform (17 Nov 2010)

Paul Bradford: I also welcome the Minister of State. I would like to speak about the recent revelation from the European Court of Auditors that the European Commission-inspired decision to virtually shut down the Irish sugar beet industry was based on erroneous figures. It was a gravely incorrect and disastrous decision, not just for Irish sugar beet growers but also for the Irish tillage industry, Irish...

Seanad: Sugar Market Reform (17 Nov 2010)

Paul Bradford: Will the Minister of State agree that the decision to terminate the Irish sugar beet industry appears to have been based on erroneous facts and figures in the EU Commission? Will he further agree there is an obligation on the EU Commission to demonstrate a willingness to enter into serious negotiations with the Government, if it is so interested, and relevant stakeholders to reassess the...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Nov 2010)

Paul Bradford: I support those colleagues of mine who called for a debate as soon as possible on the entire banking and economic crisis, something about which we speak every week. However, we do not seem to have had the substantive debate required. I echo the sentiments of my colleagues who have welcomed the initial intervention by Senator Donohoe who has presented a fair and balanced overview of where we...

Seanad: Value-Added Tax Consolidation Bill 2010: Fifth Stage. (18 Nov 2010)

Paul Bradford: I thank the Minister of State and his officials for their work on this important legislation. The volume of the end product is substantial. I understand the Minister of State's remarks about the need for certain changes, such as the addition of sections and the removal of archaic language, which have added more pages to the Bill. I was interested to hear what the Minister of State said...

Seanad: Chemicals (Amendment) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages. (18 Nov 2010)

Paul Bradford: My colleague, Senator John Paul Phelan, is unable to be with us this morning. I understand he dealt with the Bill on Second Stage. I trust I speak on his behalf in thanking the Minister of State and his officials for presenting us with the legislation and bringing it to a conclusion. With the Bill being devoid of Committee Stage amendments, Committee Stage was dealt with rather quickly but...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2010)

Paul Bradford: For a generation, our political system has been one of delusion and cute hoorism which is what has brought us to where we are, namely, a broken society, a broken country and an economy on the verge of total bankruptcy. We need to replace that system with politics of responsibility and courage. I am glad that much of what has been said here today has been clear, concise and full of...

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Second Stage (24 Nov 2010)

Paul Bradford: I wish to share time with Senators Buttimer and Phelan.

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Second Stage (24 Nov 2010)

Paul Bradford: I will not delay in order to facilitate all my colleagues. I welcome the Minister to discuss this important legislation. It has been well flagged to Members through the representations we have received from postmen throughout the country. I appreciate their concern as this new departure in postal regulation takes place. We need to transpose a European directive into Irish law but we must...

Seanad: National Recovery Plan 2011-2014: Statements (24 Nov 2010)

Paul Bradford: I am glad to have an opportunity to contribute to this debate on the national recovery plan. Its title is similar to the original plan for recovery in 1987 which, in fairness, led to a genuine degree of economic recovery at that time. In this much more difficult and financially disastrous time for our economy, it is vital that this plan or a variation thereof is equally successful. There...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Nov 2010)

Paul Bradford: It is fair to say that Ireland has many needs and that there is much in regard to which we should be united in the context of the national recovery plan and possible amendments thereto. We clearly need a political debate on the choices facing this country in the lead up to the general election which will take place in the next few weeks or months. What we do not need is to allow the country...

Seanad: Renewable Energy: Statements (25 Nov 2010)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy White. I also welcome the fact that we are having this debate. In recent years the Seanad has had many opportunities to discuss this matter of great importance. It is disappointing, however, that the rate of progress has not been greater. The country is at a low ebb economically. We used these types of debate to focus on the possibility of Ireland...

Seanad: Lost at Sea Scheme: Motion (1 Dec 2010)

Paul Bradford: I thank my colleague, Senator Regan, for bringing this very important motion before the House. He has taken a great interest in the matter and was a regular attender at the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the report came before us for deliberation. It is not the first time this House has discussed the lost at sea scheme. Once again it is appropriate as we reflect on...

Seanad: EU-IMF Programme for Ireland: Statements (2 Dec 2010)

Paul Bradford: I have listened with interest to the previous speakers and was present for the duration of the address by Senator Norris. He concluded by apparently expressing his view that should the whole system collapse, it may not be the worst thing for Ireland and Europe. Simultaneously, he asked us to ensure the welfare of Irish and European citizens would be paramount in all of our deliberations....

Seanad: EU-IMF Programme for Ireland: Statements (2 Dec 2010)

Paul Bradford: We are in a crisis, as is much of Europe, and we must work our way out of it. The word "work" is one we need to concentrate on because the areas of job creation, growth and stimulus must be very much at the centre of any recovery plan. The Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, with his previous hat as an expert on Northern Ireland, will recall that when the British army came to the streets of...