Results 1,221-1,240 of 4,132 for speaker:Donie Cassidy

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: Those of us in the Oireachtas and the people of Ireland have done our bit last week and we are continuing to do it. Our commitment is to a strong banking system in our country. The banks have an obligation and a responsibility. Without putting a tooth in it, we expect them to do this. I congratulate the Halifax and the AIB banks who came out straight away and announced they would reduce...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: Senator Fitzgerald referred to the experience of MRSA in Letterkenny, County Donegal. I join with the Senator's request to highlight this issue and I will pass on her strong views to the Minister after the Order of Business. I realise that there has been a substantial decrease in the incidence of MRSA in our hospitals over the past 12 months and this is welcome. However, the work is...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: It is a Dáil Bill but must go through both Houses and I know it will have the support of both sides of this House for a speedy passage when it comes to us. Senator Reilly made a proposal regarding the means test for the old age non-contributory pension, which I fully support. I wish to inform the House that Fianna Fáil will forfeit its Private Members' time on Wednesday next. I will seek...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on the important role of volunteering in Irish society, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business and to conclude not later than 3 p.m., with spokespersons having 12 minutes and all other Senators seven minutes, and on which Senators may share time by agreement of the House, and the Minister to be called upon ten minutes from the end of...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: Senators Cummins, Norris, Alex White, Leyden, McFadden, Ó Murchú, Coffey, Bradford, Healy-Eames, Walsh and Feeney expressed diverse views on the budget. I offer the best wishes of the House to the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, on his first budget. The Minister is a man of great ability, as Senators will have noted during his appearances before the House, including his...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: I am giving a little praise to the Deputy's party because I am in a generous mood.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: I thank the Opposition and all parties in both Houses for their support in the national interest.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: Yes, I include the Independents. It is refreshing to see Senator Norris in his new role. I wish him well and hope it will last for some time.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: As Senators will be aware, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. tomorrow, Fianna Fáil Private Members' time will be devoted to statements on the budget. I also intend to propose on the Order of Business on Thursday morning that the House take the legislation, whether schemes or regulations, required to address the issue of the banks on Friday at 10 a.m. I thank the other leaders for their support and...

Seanad: Civil Liability (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2008: First Stage (14 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: No.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on unemployment to be taken at the conclusion at the Order of Business and to conclude not later than 2 p.m. Spokespersons may speak for ten minutes, all other Senators for seven minutes and Senators may share time with the Minister to be called upon ten minutes before the end of the debate for concluding comments and to take questions from...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: We certainly do.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: Senators have inquired about the motion that will come before the House on the new banking legislation, which it is proposed to take on Friday. I will have a more definitive time for the taking of it possibly after the Order of Business this morning. I will come back to the leaders of the various groups and inform the House and seek its approval for it in the morning. I thank all Members,...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: I outlined to the House my welcome for the——

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: The Government yesterday indicated an allocation in spending of €55.8 billion or an increase of 3.6%, for the coming year. Of that allocation, an increase of 8.4%, or €1.5 billion or €1.514 billion, will be given to social welfare. An increase of 2.1%, or €329 million, will be allocated for health and an increase——

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: ——of 2.7% or €229 million will be allocated to education.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: I welcome the increase of €7 per week for contributory old age pensioners, bringing their pension benefit up to €230 and up to €219 for the non-contributory pension. I welcome the increase in the qualified adult allowance of €6.30 for those aged 66 and over and the increase of €4.60 per week for those under the age of 66. Coming from rural Ireland, I welcome that the fuel...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: I welcome the decentralisation to date of the 2,527 staff to the 14 different venues and areas. That aspect of the decentralisation process is now complete. I greatly welcome the new 21 areas confirmed yesterday and the allocations to be made to my town of Mullingar, to Portlaoise, which was mentioned by a Member, and to Roscommon, which was mentioned by Senator Leyden. All these were...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: ——and they are to proceed immediately.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: The 3,474 additional posts that will be decentralised to rural Ireland is a godsend.