Results 1,661-1,680 of 7,765 for speaker:Maurice Cummins

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Mar 2008)

Maurice Cummins: In reference to what our colleague on the Labour benches stated, that she wishes to resubmit her amendments on Report Stage, I wonder if we should take Report Stage at another time. Committee Stage was scheduled for today, not Report Stage. Taking into consideration what our colleague on the Labour benches stated——

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Mar 2008)

Maurice Cummins: On the Order of Business we were told it would be Committee Stage and not Remaining Stages.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Mar 2008)

Maurice Cummins: It is becoming a regular occurrence that we take Committee and Remaining Stages. I do not consider it in order to take Remaining Stages when Bills such as this are presented to the House. I am making this point in specific reference to the Labour Party's proposed amendments, however it regularly arises that the Order Paper provides for us to take Committee and Remaining Stages. This...

Seanad: Cluster Munitions: Motion (6 Mar 2008)

Maurice Cummins: I welcome the Minister to the House. I agree with Senator Norris with regard to the re-ordering of the business of the House. It is regrettable that as the proposer of the motion, he was not informed the Order of Business had been changed. Cluster bombs are an abomination. They pose a particular risk to civilians and often to children because, as their name suggests, they leave large...

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Maurice Cummins: I have supported this Bill from the very beginning and have had reservations regarding some aspects. However, I could not agree with Senator Harris on the small man not being hit because it is he about whom I am worried. I am not worried about the criminals and other individuals to whom Senator Harris and others referred. Not so long ago, a colleague of mine went to America where it was...

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Maurice Cummins: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Passports Bill 2007: Committee Stage (12 Mar 2008)

Maurice Cummins: I am not sure whether the point I wish to raise is relevant to this particular section. My son and some of his friends came to Dublin last week to process their applications for a J1 visa. They encountered no difficulties and submitted their passports to the United States Embassy as required. However, one of them had travelled from Cork on a Ryanair flight and because his passport was no...

Seanad: Passports Bill 2007: Committee Stage (12 Mar 2008)

Maurice Cummins: I welcome the Minister of State's comments. It is an issue that should be reviewed. It makes no sense that a person with three forms of identification cannot get home from Dublin to Cork. It is a ludicrous situation. I hope there is some follow-up on this.

Seanad: Passports Bill 2007: Committee Stage (12 Mar 2008)

Maurice Cummins: I move amendment No. 3: In page 6, subsection (1), line 4, to delete "may" and substitute "shall". My colleague, Deputy Timmins, tabled a similar amendment in the other House. There is no reason passports should not be issued at birth as is the case with birth certificates. Cattle, sheep and even donkeys seem to be assigned passports at birth and it would be of great administrative benefit...

Seanad: Passports Bill 2007: Committee Stage (12 Mar 2008)

Maurice Cummins: I disagree with the Minister. Passports should be issued at birth. It would solve many administrative problems later. I will not press the amendment.

Seanad: Passports Bill 2007: Committee Stage (12 Mar 2008)

Maurice Cummins: I move amendment No. 4: In page 9, subsection (1)(c), to delete line 8. Will the Minister of State give examples of conduct that is, in the words used in the Bill, "contrary to the common good" which may lead to the refusal of a passport? I suggest the term "common good" covers a multitude of forms of conduct. It smacks of the approach that was adopted in the Soviet Union in the past and is...

Seanad: Passports Bill 2007: Committee Stage (12 Mar 2008)

Maurice Cummins: Although the Minister of State said it is unlikely, it could happen. We are enacting this legislation for the future. I do not accept it is unlikely to happen. For example, if representatives of NGOs were going abroad to speak at an international conference about child poverty, protecting children's rights or autism in Ireland, this Government, or a future one, might believe that is...

Seanad: Passports Bill 2007: Committee Stage (12 Mar 2008)

Maurice Cummins: I support Senator White's amendment. The current provision is too restrictive. The inclusion of Senator White's amendment would improve the Bill and cover the eventualities as enunciated by him. I urge the Minister of State to consider this. Perhaps he can come back to us on the issue on Report Stage, having given due consideration to it. I would welcome his views on the matter. The...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Mar 2008)

Maurice Cummins: Will the Leader inquire from the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when legislation will be introduced on the regulation of the legal profession in light of the many, recent and well-publicised activities of some solicitors? There should be an independent regulatory authority to deal with the legal profession rather than an ombudsman as the Minister suggests. The system of...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Mar 2008)

Maurice Cummins: Yes. I am looking for a debate on the matter. The subject of crime has been referred to as well as the number of murders in this country. It is essential the proper resources are provided to the Garda Síochána to combat this crime. I have been informed by some gardaí that the resources are not available and that overtime has been reduced at weekends when dealing with Operation Anvil...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Mar 2008)

Maurice Cummins: I want a debate. I want to make the point that resources should be given to the Garda Síochána to tackle the problems.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Mar 2008)

Maurice Cummins: That was last week's motion.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Mar 2008)

Maurice Cummins: On a point of order, would it be possible for the House to revert to the practice of ordering the time for debates? What will be the position if the debates on the Motor Vehicles (Duties and Licences) Bill and the Passports Bill are not concluded by 5.30 p.m.? We should revert to the arrangements that obtained during the lifetime of the previous Seanad. It would be better for everyone...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Apr 2008)

Maurice Cummins: We are all back on-side again.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Apr 2008)

Maurice Cummins: The Green Party has enough to deal with.