Results 1,241-1,260 of 2,017 for speaker:Paul Bradford

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (29 Feb 2012)

Paul Bradford: We need to investigate all of these areas. What are the Minister's views on the constitutionality of the section? I am sure it would not have been brought before us if he was not confident that it was constitutional, but it is fair to say even the most-----

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (29 Feb 2012)

Paul Bradford: I am asking whether the amendments are constitutional. Perhaps the Minister might advise us if they have been the subject of discussions around the Cabinet table. The Bill may be tested; as such, it is better to face the difficulties now rather than in a few months time. The Minister might advise us if he is happy that the imposition of financial penalties on a political party to encourage...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (29 Feb 2012)

Paul Bradford: Certainly not.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (29 Feb 2012)

Paul Bradford: I am sure the Minister wishes to reply to some of the comments made. While my presentation might have been simplistic, he might wish to express his views on the constitutionality or otherwise of the legislation.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (Resumed) (29 Feb 2012)

Paul Bradford: Has the matter been discussed and debated?

Seanad: Child Abuse: Motion (29 Feb 2012)

Paul Bradford: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Seanad Éireann" and substitute the following: " notes the adoption by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union, on 13 December 2011, of the Directive on combating the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children and child pornography, and replacing Council Framework Decision 2004/68/JHA; welcomes the new Directive,...

Seanad: Child Abuse: Motion (29 Feb 2012)

Paul Bradford: Tomorrow morning at 10.30.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Mar 2012)

Paul Bradford: Like the Senator he can improve.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Mar 2012)

Paul Bradford: Most of us would agree that the Irish people are not a stupid race and will not be politically bribed or brow beaten. With regard to the forthcoming vote, the most important thing over the next couple of weeks is that full information on the contents of the treaty, not on what it does not contain, will be provided to every single voter. The House can do itself a favour, but more importantly...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Mar 2012)

Paul Bradford: Senators Byrne and Cullinane have made reasonable proposals to have debates on banking and the implementation of the programme for Government. It is also reasonable for me to say that it is most unlikely that the Leader could produce the Minister for Finance or Taoiseach today. I ask the Leader to try to ensure that at the earliest possible stage - I believe Senator Paul Coghlan concurs -...

Seanad: Euro Area Loan Facility (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (8 Mar 2012)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the Minister and his delivery of Second Stage of this short but important legislation. As he correctly stated, it is important that we show solidarity with Greece. We must also show solidarity with the euro, which is the currency of Ireland, Greece and many other EU countries. We could debate Greece, Ireland and our relationship at some length, but we do not have the time. As...

Seanad: Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union: Statements (14 Mar 2012)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on this important treaty. It is useful that Seanad Éireann is engaging in such a debate at this early stage. What is key is not ensuring the treaty is passed by the people in a referendum in a few months' time but, more importantly, ensuring they vote "Yes" in a progressive and enthusiastic fashion. In that context, the electorate must...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Mar 2012)

Paul Bradford: When Ministers come into this House, they are not doing us a favour, they are carrying out their constitutional obligations. The Government is accountable to this House. At some stage in the short to medium-term, we may have a referendum on the future of the Seanad, a campaign I am looking forward to. Until then, however, it is imperative this House is treated with absolute respect. We...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (15 Mar 2012)

Paul Bradford: I thank our Independent colleagues for tabling the amendments. As this is a Seanad Bill, we must complete our consideration of it today and it will then be sent to Dáil Éireann for its consideration. It is often the case that Bills are thoroughly debated in the Seanad and that some of the proposals made in respect of them are not accepted here. It then transpires that further proposals...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Mar 2012)

Paul Bradford: I support the suggestion by Senator Noone that each taxpayer should receive a statement at the end of the year outlining where his or her tax moneys have been spent. Sometimes much of the noise comes from non-tax paying citizens but the tax paying citizens should be informed officially as to how much of their tax moneys are spent on justice, health, education, social welfare, etc. It would...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2012: Second Stage (21 Mar 2012)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the Minister of State and the debate on the Finance Bill 2012. It is always one of the interesting set-piece debates in the Oireachtas. A five minute contribution does not allow Members to go into any great detail on the Bill but the Minister of State will hear ideas and suggestions which may not end up in the Bill but which can be reflected on and planned for future inclusion. We...

Seanad: Programme for Government: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

Paul Bradford: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "'That" and substitute the following: "Seanad Éireann notes: the Government's first priority in the past year was to progress the restoration of economic, financial and political stability, and to re-build the international reputation of the country; that Government has published its Action Plan for Jobs and Pathways to Work to signal its...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2012 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2012)

Paul Bradford: Thank you, Senator Reilly.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2012 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2012)

Paul Bradford: If Senator Reilly wishes to pursue this recommendation further, she will need a seconder. Will she indicate her position?

Seanad: Finance Bill 2012 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2012)

Paul Bradford: Unfortunately from Senator Reilly's perspective, I am advised that recommendation No. 2 is declaratory in nature and more suited to a Second Stage speech. The same advice relates to recommendations Nos. 3 and 4. Regrettably, we must move beyond them. Recommendations Nos. 6 and 7 are deemed out of order because they are deemed outside the scope of the Bill and declaratory in nature.