Results 1,141-1,160 of 2,017 for speaker:Paul Bradford

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Nov 2011)

Paul Bradford: I commend Senator Conway on his comments on how the Minister for Health should try to bring some degree of control to spending within his Department. Senator Conway has raised some of the difficult but fundamental questions that need to be addressed. I also agree with him with regard to his aspiration that the budgetary process and debate will be more open and commence earlier. This is...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (23 Nov 2011)

Paul Bradford: Can I raise a point of order or clarification?

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (23 Nov 2011)

Paul Bradford: I apologise for not tuning into the debate earlier. This amendment, unless I am misreading it, simply relates to the definition of "inspector".

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Nov 2011)

Paul Bradford: I agree with the sentiments expressed by Senator Landy on the need to have the Minister come before the House once again at the earliest date possible to discuss health matters and medical card issues in particular. All Members could recount similar examples of people whose medical card applications either are not being processed in sufficient time or are being refused. The HSE has a...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2011)

Paul Bradford: I agree with everything said by Senator Norris and I look forward to the debate being ventilated much more strongly in the House and among the broader community. I ask the Leader for a debate on the Croke Park agreement at the earliest possible opportunity. I hope that such a debate can be commenced before the Christmas recess. Ministers are currently attempting to finalise the Budget...

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (30 Nov 2011)

Paul Bradford: I thank Senator Mullins for sharing his time with me. I welcome the Minister of State to the House. He attempted to join this House many years ago, but fortunately for his sake and that of officials, he was unsuccessful on that occasion. The Seanad would never have been the same.

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (30 Nov 2011)

Paul Bradford: If the country needs anything at this time, it needs jobs, hope and a feel-good factor. Tourism can help provide all of these. The Minister of State has responsibility for tourism and sport in the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, and tourism is the area which can produce jobs almost instantaneously with a little help and innovative thinking. Notwithstanding the weather we have...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Dec 2011)

Paul Bradford: I agree with Senators Mullen and Bacik that it would be desirable and helpful to have a substantive debate on the broader issue of the child sex abuse scandal and the introduction of appropriate Government legislation. I, too, attended yesterday's meeting of the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality at which the question of mandatory reporting and the withholding Bill were...

Seanad: Irish Film Board (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (1 Dec 2011)

Paul Bradford: Are you an extra?

Seanad: Irish Film Board (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (1 Dec 2011)

Paul Bradford: You were a star on the GAA pitch.

Seanad: Irish Film Board (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (1 Dec 2011)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the Minister to the House. We are not large in numbers this afternoon but we are here to support the passage of the legislation and ensure the Irish film industry will continue to progress. It is fair to say that the Minister brings to his Department a great sense of enthusiasm and drive, which is required not just in his Department but across all Departments. If we want to turn...

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2011)

Paul Bradford: Due to the time restriction I did not have an opportunity to speak on Second Stage, so I apologise for arriving rather late to the debate. This amendment is part of the broader debate on where we are proceeding with taxation from the point of view of fairness and equality. The Senator who moved the amendment will have to recognise the fact that every consideration of the Irish tax and...

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2011)

Paul Bradford: No. In fact, this week's budget was all about trying to assist-----

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2011)

Paul Bradford: -----people, look after the most needy in the difficult circumstances in which we find ourselves and not reducing core social welfare payments.

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2011)

Paul Bradford: It was about not increasing taxes and, above all, trying to ensure that the majority of people on social welfare and those on the lower end of the income spectrum can aspire to a job and a future in this country. There are political parties and politicians whose existence would finish if the poverty industry disappeared and if we could lift people out of poverty. That is what the Government...

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2011)

Paul Bradford: I will try-----

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2011)

Paul Bradford: I will try to respond, through the Chair, to the misguided interpretation of my earlier comments by the Senator. Our aspiration in this country should be to move people out of the poverty zone-----

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2011)

Paul Bradford: -----back to work. However, we must also recognise that resources are exceptionally limited and we must raise money to pay social welfare and provide medical and educational services, particularly for those most in need. I wish there was a magic wand. The Senator's party colleagues in Northern Ireland spent many years on the margins and I welcome the fact that they have come in from those...

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2011)

Paul Bradford: They are introducing taxes, charges and property taxes and levies, as well as closing hospitals and schools. That is part of the Sinn Féin agenda-----

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2011)

Paul Bradford: It is part of the Sinn Féin agenda in Northern Ireland.