Results 1,481-1,500 of 26,396 for speaker:David Cullinane

Seanad: Presidential Nominations: Motion (18 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: A number of the candidates received unfair treatment from the media and this played a central role in the presidential campaign. The media must reflect on how it values the role of the presidency and how it approaches future presidential elections. We support the motion but add that it is far from the only reform that needs to be made as regards the presidency. We have no difficulty with...

Seanad: Presidential Nominations: Motion (18 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: It is an important area that the Government could examine. Some people would argue that one cannot have representation without taxation but the role of the President does not have any powers or functions over taxation and it is an important but symbolic role. The President embodies what is best in Irish people and we should allow all Irish people to participate.

Seanad: Presidential Nominations: Motion (18 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: Especially given that over 100,000 have been forced to leave our shore. They should not be denied an opportunity to vote for their President. Such a measure is important. The age limit for the presidential election should be examined. The provision regarding 35 years is arbitrary. It exists because people feel that a president should have life experience but 35 years is too high. Surely...

Seanad: School Transport (18 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I wish to raise the issue of changes that have been made to the post-primary school transport scheme. The changes were introduced by the previous Government but a number of elements of that scheme come into effect this September. There were a number of issues in County Waterford which, thankfully, have been resolved this year due to the...

Seanad: School Transport (18 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: I thank the Minister of State for agreeing to investigate my first concern about the distance eligibility. At the end of his contribution, the Minister of State referred to efficiency and cost-effective schemes. We have no difficulty with cost-effective schemes. There is logic in people attending their nearest education centre. However, sometimes their nearest education centre is not the...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: On Tuesday, I called for a debate on poverty and the Leader replied that the Minister for Social Protection would attend the House to deal with the broad issues in her portfolio. I do not believe that will do justice to a debate on the causes of poverty, which I was seeking. I call for this debate in the context of a number of published reports, the Social Justice Ireland report, the report...

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: I move amendment No. 1: In page 8, paragraph (c), line 25, to delete "Act 1965." and substitute the following: "Act 1965; (d) section 6 of the Superannuation and Pensions Act 1963; (e) section 7 of the Superannuation and Pensions Act 1963; (f) section 78 of the Local Government (Superannuation) (Consolidation) Scheme 1998.". I welcome the Minister to the House. As I have studied the debate...

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: The Minister will accept that it would be difficult to have a discussion on this issue and not deal with what is a sore point for many people. The Minister has given his reason that the legislation can take prospective effect only because of the legal rights of people. I accept the Minister at his word, but we would like to have the matter tested. That is the reason we tabled the...

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: May I ask a supplementary question on the system of abatement? If somebody is hired as a consultant does the system of abatement apply? I think that is one of the anomalies that have come up.

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: I move amendment No. 4: In page 19, lines 1 to 8, to delete subsection (4).

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: Section 10(4) enables "a member of the Oireachtas or the European Parliament or .... holder of a qualifying office" who previously lost his or her seat but subsequently regained it to retain his or her membership of what we see as the more generous scheme. Why should one rule apply to someone in the public sector who happens to be a public representative when an entirely different rule...

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: It is not a case of us being hard on public representatives. The Minister is aware that we have called for all public sector pay to be capped at €100,000 per annum, or €2,000 a week, which would be very reasonable in the current climate.

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: I accept that, but I am mentioning it in the context of the Minister's suggestion that my party is hard on public representatives. It would not be difficult for a Deputy to live on €75,000 per annum, which is what we propose. Nor would it be difficult for a Senator to live on €60,000 per annum or for a Minister or the Taoiseach to live on €100,000 per annum. The point we are making...

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: What evidence does the Senator want?

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: Many questions have been asked over the years about the financing of the Senator's party.

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: Sinn Féin does not believe everyone working in the public sector is overpaid. Many public servants are on low incomes and the vast majority of them earn less than €40,000 per annum. I hope I will be given an opportunity to respond to the Minister's challenge to Sinn Féin representatives to hand back their salaries and make the contribution we say we make-----

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: To set the record straight for the Minister, Sinn Féin's approach saves the State money. Deputies earn a salary of €95,000-----

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: -----and have take home pay of approximately €60,000. Sinn Féin Deputies take €32,000 in take home pay.

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: I know this is a sore point for the Minister and Senators but if they bear with me, I will complete my point. The Minister referred to net pay.

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: They like to throw around accusations and make comments but do not like to listen. Perhaps the Minister will listen for one moment for a change. To return to my point, a Deputy's net pay is approximately €60,000, of which Sinn Féin Deputies take half and use the other half to employ someone. This means each Sinn Féin Deputy takes somebody off the live register, thus achieving savings...