Results 1,421-1,440 of 26,396 for speaker:David Cullinane

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: Like previous speakers I commend the Cathaoirleach, the Leas-Chathaoirleach and the Leader of the Seanad on the invitation extended to the grand secretary of the Orange Order. It was a significant, historic and important day. There have been many important days in recent years, and in recent months. The Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, MLA, attended a soccer match with Peter...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: On a junket.

Seanad: Rent Supplements: Motion (4 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: It would have helped if the Minister read the motion. She would have saved herself some trouble.

Seanad: Rent Supplements: Motion (4 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: The motion tabled by Sinn Féin is fair and measured. It calls on the Government to take a number of actions which we believe would improve the current situation. The Minister's contribution was far from fair and measured, however. She made what was in effect a political statement, which is not helpful. She made a number of arguments which I find incredible and staggering from a Labour...

Seanad: Rent Supplements: Motion (4 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: It would be helpful if when work on it is complete the Department or Minister could hold a briefing session on it in the AV room, which would benefit all of us.

Seanad: Planning Issues (4 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I am sure she is aware of the court case that took place in Waterford in which a former Fine Gael town councillor was found guilty of accepting corrupt payments. This is an issue of concern, not only for the people of County Waterford but also for the people of this State. It shows that corruption has not gone away and reinforces the need for...

Seanad: Planning Issues (4 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: Unfortunately, I find the Minister of State's response very unsatisfactory. It merely sets out the standards by which local representatives must abide. We are all aware of what those standards are. There was a contentious rezoning issue in Waterford which led to the conviction of a former town councillor and that has not been addressed in a satisfactory way because we have not had a full-----

Seanad: Planning Issues (4 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: My question is that we have not had a full and thorough investigation into the decision making which led to the rezoning of that land. It is not good enough to say there was an investigation and a conviction. We have to ensure that we examine all the issues which led to the rezoning of this land, especially in the context of a number of public representatives from within the Fine Gael Party...

Seanad: Planning Issues (4 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: What we need to do - this is in the interests of those councillors who voted in favour of the rezoning - is to ensure that this investigation goes ahead.

Seanad: Planning Issues (4 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: There are many questions that need to be answered. If the Government brushes this issue under the carpet-----

Seanad: Planning Issues (4 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: There is nothing in the response here-----

Seanad: Planning Issues (4 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: -----which demonstrates that the Government is serious about this issue.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: I support the call made by Senator O'Donovan to discuss the breakdown in the commercial relationship between the pilot training centre based in Waterford and the Florida Institute of Technology. A number of Senators made the point that many young Irish trainee pilots have been left high and dry, and there is a responsibility on the State to protect young people who find themselves in this...

Seanad: Access to Cancer Treatment Bill 2012: Second Stage (11 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: I thank the Fianna Fáil Senators and Senator Crown for bringing forward an important item of legislation. It is not without flaws but it is useful and could be amended if the Government so wished. It is regrettable that we had unnecessary rancour associated with the discussion today. The petty political point scoring I witnessed in respect of scripted speeches did this debate no justice...

Seanad: Access to Cancer Treatment Bill 2012: Second Stage (11 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: That practice should end. The Government laboured this point when it was in opposition but it is one of the sacred cows in the health service that needs to be taken on. That would save money that could be used towards drugs. The blunt instrument of the recruitment embargo leads to unnecessary expenditure on agency workers. The Minister has done some work in this area but much more needs...

Seanad: Access to Cancer Treatment Bill 2012: Second Stage (11 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: I accept that it is a difficult issue to deal with, but the Government must do so. Apart from the availability of medicines, another key issue for health service delivery is the provision of infrastructure. My county of Waterford - indeed, the south east as a whole - still does not have the type of cancer services infrastructure that is needed. The previous Government committed to the...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: I wish the Cathaoirleach and all other Senators a happy 12th of July. Last week the grand master of the Orange Order addressed the Seanad. It was an historic occasion. As we all know, Orangemen across the island of Ireland are celebrating their heritage, culture and identity today. While many of us disagree with aspects of the Orange Order, including its sectarian nature, we must engage...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: Many of us hoped Fine Gael and the Labour Party would lead us to a new republic, the type spoken about when Fine Gael was in opposition. We will not have it within the strict and narrow remit of the constitutional convention.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: The Government should stop gagging its Members and allow them to debate the issue in the House. It will not allow a democratic debate. I, therefore, support the proposed amendment to the Order of Business which calls for at least a two hour debate. My party will only have three minutes in which to make a contribution.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: Did the Cathaoirleach not read my party's amendment? My party will only have three minutes in which to discuss the constitutional convention, which is not good enough, as the Cathaoirleach and the Leader know.