Results 1,461-1,480 of 2,017 for speaker:Paul Bradford

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Dec 2012)

Paul Bradford: I appreciate the Senator's point but it is not a point of order. The House has already agreed to call the Minister at 5.45 p.m.

Seanad: Equal Status (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (19 Dec 2012)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Lynch, to the House and I also welcome this legislation. I would make two points that may be slightly irrelevant but in a sense they are connected to the debate on this legislation and to the previous debate given that the Minister of the State is taking the Bill. They relate to the question of the equality of what is being forced upon us or the...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2012)

Paul Bradford: I am glad to have the opportunity to say a few words in this important debate. I regret we did not have a sufficient opportunity to do so yesterday on Second Stage. I have listened to the debate in the Chamber and watched it in my office on the monitor. At times it was enlightening and at other times it was rather depressing. It was enlightening because many Members have brought to the...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2012)

Paul Bradford: On section 5, we are talking about a reduction in the number of carers. If one does not want to reduce the carer's allowance, one must suggest a cut in another area. On numerous occasions over the past 12 months, I have asked that, instead of debating the budget for this Social Welfare Bill when the horse has bolted, we should have substantive and meaningful debate months in advance.

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2012)

Paul Bradford: I am disappointed that our debates have been brief. The Minister for Social Protection and other Ministers who have been to the House have argued that we will require substantive debate weeks and months in advance of next year's budget. I spent many years in opposition and know the role of the Opposition is to say "No" when the Government says "Yes". If the Government brings forward...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Dec 2012)

Paul Bradford: I extend my best wishes for Christmas to colleagues and to everyone associated with the House. Senator O'Keeffe referred to the meetings of the Seanad Public Consultation Committee, which were held in the Chamber, as one of the highlights of our work programme for the year. Those meetings were indeed very effective. I do not know what sort of permission would be required - perhaps it would...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Dec 2012)

Paul Bradford: Would a request in that regard have to come to us or could we be proactive and-----

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Dec 2012)

Paul Bradford: So the Joint Committee on Health and Children should submit a request to the CPP.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Dec 2012)

Paul Bradford: Perhaps the Leader will advise me on this matter. The joint committee has not yet made a decision with regard to where the meetings in question should take place.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Dec 2012)

Paul Bradford: Will the Leader confirm that should a request be made, the CPP will have the capacity to consider it? This Chamber would be ideal in the context of encouraging a calm debate. All Members who wish to contribute could be present and could involve themselves in that debate. A committee room would not be the most suitable venue for such a truly important engagement.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Implementation of Government Decision Following Expert Group Report into Matters Relating to A, B and C v. Ireland (8 Jan 2013)

Paul Bradford: I thank the Chairman for his inclusive introduction to the meeting. Will he give us some background as to how the various groups were selected to make oral presentations? My understanding is that interested parties, including some who will not appear before us this week, have by now-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Implementation of Government Decision Following Expert Group Report into Matters Relating to A, B and C v. Ireland (8 Jan 2013)

Paul Bradford: Will the Chairman indicate how that decision was arrived at?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Implementation of Government Decision Following Expert Group Report into Matters Relating to A, B and C v. Ireland (8 Jan 2013)

Paul Bradford: My question is a variation of the previous question. As we are asking the Medical Council to assist us in solving a problem, we need to recognise its scale. I ask Professor Murphy to indicate the levels of complaints made to the Medical Council arising from the current constitutional position and medical practice that in some way the health and lives of mothers are at risk. How many such...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Implementation of Government Decision Following Expert Group Report into Matters Relating to A, B and C v. Ireland (8 Jan 2013)

Paul Bradford: She raised the matter.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Implementation of Government Decision Following Expert Group Report into Matters Relating to A, B and C v. Ireland (8 Jan 2013)

Paul Bradford: My questions are for Mr. Behan. Will he confirm his organisation's policy position as outlined on its website, which indicates that the association is in favour of - we will not upset anybody by using the word "advocate" - the availability of abortion in all circumstances?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Implementation of Government Decision Following Expert Group Report into Matters Relating to A, B and C v. Ireland (8 Jan 2013)

Paul Bradford: With respect, it is very relevant if an organisation is presenting here and if the stated policy of that organisation on its public website is that it favours the availability of abortion in all circumstances. I would like that to be confirmed. My second question for Mr. Behan is that point 24 in his presentation mentions the need for progress and legislation before the next tragic case....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Implementation of Government Decision Following Expert Group Report into Matters Relating to A, B and C v. Ireland (8 Jan 2013)

Paul Bradford: I asked a simple question. Is Mr. Behan's organisation fully compliant with current Irish law?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Implementation of Government Decision Following Expert Group Report into Matters Relating to A, B and C v. Ireland (9 Jan 2013)

Paul Bradford: I commend Mr. O'Hare for making it clear from the outset that he is here as part of what he calls a campaigning organisation. If all groups of witnesses who presented themselves were as frank and honest, it would add greatly to the honesty of the debate. I thank them for telling us where they are coming from politically and where they want the legislation to travel. On the point of Mr....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Implementation of Government Decision Following Expert Group Report into Matters Relating to A, B and C v. Ireland (9 Jan 2013)

Paul Bradford: Sorry, it was Dr. Brady. At point 5 he argues that at an absolute bare minimum - he was saying that in a legal fashion - the Government must now legislate. I do not have his legal knowledge, but I ask him to assist us to clarify the position arising from the European court judgment. My understanding is that the obligation on the State is to provide clarification. He is saying that as a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Implementation of Government Decision Following Expert Group Report into Matters Relating to A, B and C v. Ireland (9 Jan 2013)

Paul Bradford: I welcome both witnesses. I ask Professor Binchy to expand in so far as possible on his view that the range of options being presented by the expert group is not as inclusive or as broad as it could be. I welcome Mrs. Justice McGuinness back to her previous place of employment. On two occasions she used that lovely phrase, "the human dilemma". It is very difficult for any of us to be...