Results 1,121-1,140 of 26,396 for speaker:David Cullinane

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Apr 2012)

David Cullinane: That is from the Lisbon treaty. We heard that previously. It did not work. It will not work this time either.

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 Apr 2012)

David Cullinane: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Joe Costello, and the debate on the fiscal compact treaty, even if it is in the context of processing the Bill through the Houses of the Oireachtas. On the Order of Business many Members mentioned the trade unions which have come out against the treaty. As the Minister of State knows, several trade unions have been very clear in their opposition to the...

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 Apr 2012)

David Cullinane: We understand it. It is an austerity treaty.

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 Apr 2012)

David Cullinane: Do not forget the social democratic parties.

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 Apr 2012)

David Cullinane: I wish to respond to some of the comments that were made because it is important we have a robust exchange of views on the treaty, on its implications for Ireland and on the positions being put forward by the respective political parties. A number of Senators referred to the real world. I remember a speech given by the Tánaiste, Deputy Eamon Gilmore, when he was an Opposition spokesperson...

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 Apr 2012)

David Cullinane: I am not talking about arrangements between-----

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 Apr 2012)

David Cullinane: When the hectoring is finished, I am talking about arrangements between private banks that still operate in some parts of Europe. Even though taxpayers technically own the banks, they are still seen as private entities and we do not own them. The treaty does not deal with what any of the individuals in the private sector were doing but it deals with what Governments can do. Nothing in the...

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 Apr 2012)

David Cullinane: Perhaps Senator Gilroy is a psychic and he knew the Labour Party would be the new Fianna Fáil and he jumped ship.

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 Apr 2012)

David Cullinane: The only people who would describe this treaty as good would be those in the Tea Party in America. Those individuals would be very proud of the treaty and what it seeks to do. This debate is marked by a dichotomy which goes to the heart of the treaty and the language people use to describe it. For example, the Minister of State refers to it as a stability treaty and he actually used the...

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 Apr 2012)

David Cullinane: Here we go again with the interruptions. What is involved here will place a straitjacket on future Governments in the context of their being in a position to manage and control our budgetary and fiscal affairs. It is not possible to state that the treaty imposes very strict rules in respect of fiscal discipline and then state that it will not place future Governments in a straitjacket. The...

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 Apr 2012)

David Cullinane: I will forgive the interruptions. If we vote "No" in the referendum, what choices will be left open to us in the context of the ESM treaty? Regardless of the way in which the people vote, what will be the process for the implementation of that treaty in the aftermath of the referendum? The Minister of State referred to the very important and forthcoming anniversary of the 1916 Rising. He...

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 Apr 2012)

David Cullinane: The treaty will not work.

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 Apr 2012)

David Cullinane: Martin McGuinness has done so and he has brought jobs to the North. We are well used to being in those boardrooms.

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 Apr 2012)

David Cullinane: We are an all-Ireland party.

Seanad: Report of Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments: Statements (24 Apr 2012)

David Cullinane: On a point of order, I seek clarification on whether we have a quorum.

Seanad: Report of Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments: Statements (24 Apr 2012)

David Cullinane: I will begin by reading a brief excerpt from the report of the tribunal because it highlights the cosy nature of the relationship between business and politics and the way politicians flouted and exhibited their influence. It is on page 165 of the report of the tribunal in the chapter entitled "The Leinster House Meeting". Mr Gilmartin told the Tribunal that on a date in early February 1989,...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Second Stage (27 Apr 2012)

David Cullinane: A number of people have mentioned lone parents. This category has certainly been targeted in the budget. Let us consider some of the changes that have affected those in receipt of one-parent family payment: a reduction in the income disregard from €146.50 to €130, a reduction in the cut-off age of the youngest child to seven years, and the stopping of CE scheme payments. They are also...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Second Stage (27 Apr 2012)

David Cullinane: The Labour Party opposed that at the time but now it is to reduce the age limit to seven years. It is wrong. I refer the House to a number of submissions made by the Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed. It is particularly concerned about a proposed new section of the Bill, section 8(12), which deals with mortgage interest supplement, and is seeking for this amendment to be...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Second Stage (27 Apr 2012)

David Cullinane: The Minister of State knows well that those rates are set by the British Government. He should take up the matter with it.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Second Stage (27 Apr 2012)

David Cullinane: We cannot change the rates. Until we have a majority at Westminster, we cannot change them.