Results 1,701-1,720 of 4,132 for speaker:Donie Cassidy

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Feb 2009)

Donie Cassidy: Since I called the Order of Business today, I have been informed by the Government Chief Whip in the Dáil that the Minister is requested to attend that Chamber for the vote at 1.30 p.m. I propose that at that time we suspend sitting for 20 minutes to allow the Minister to attend the vote.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Feb 2009)

Donie Cassidy: The Leaders and Whips will try to correct the matter. I understood the situation to be as Senator O'Toole described. In fairness to Senator Cummins, we had an understanding that pairing happened when requested. I got an instruction from the Government Chief Whip and Senators will know that I must take instruction with regard to these matters. With the permission of the House, I propose...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Feb 2009)

Donie Cassidy: I also propose, with the permission of the House, that the Minister will be called upon at 3.45 p.m. and will have 15 minutes to respond to points made by Senators. Senators Cummins, O'Toole, Hannigan, Ó Murchú, Coghlan, Harris, Ormonde, Healy Eames, McCarthy, Regan, Buttimer and Ross expressed their serious concerns about the economy, especially with regard to the new unemployment figures....

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Feb 2009)

Donie Cassidy: They are 30% higher than they should be. The Government has a duty to ensure those who are in employment are given a level playing field with regard to the cost of energy. There are many very decent people employed in the ESB who always answered the call in all kinds of emergencies. I compliment them and acknowledge their actions. They have one of the top best-serving chief executives our...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Feb 2009)

Donie Cassidy: It needs somebody of his power and strength at times to help the Members who have made such marvellous contributions here down through the years from the Independent benches.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Feb 2009)

Donie Cassidy: Regarding the article by his local Deputy which Senator Norris outlined to the House, articles are published in magazines to promote the magazines and get people to read them. I could not think of anybody more popular or deserving of the credits than probably the most successful Taoiseach the country has ever had. He should be acknowledged.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Feb 2009)

Donie Cassidy: The people of Ireland must be allowed to be reminded of the good old days, which are only a short time ago.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Feb 2009)

Donie Cassidy: Senators Norris, Ormonde, Healy-Eames and Mullen expressed their serious concerns regarding human rights issues and everything pertaining to them. I can pass on their strong views to the Minister. The Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, was to be in the House this week but, as we know, he has accompanied President McAleese to the Gulf. I have another date arranged in...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Feb 2009)

Donie Cassidy: The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on education, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business and to conclude not later than 7 p.m., if not previously concluded, with spokespersons having 15 minutes, all other Senators ten minutes, on which Senators may share time by leave of the House, and the Minister to be called upon ten minutes from the end of debate for concluding...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Feb 2009)

Donie Cassidy: Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Alex White, O'Reilly, Norris, Coghlan, Buttimer, Doherty, Hanafin, Walsh, Healy Eames and Quinn gave the House the benefit of their experience, made proposals and expressed opinions on the banking challenge facing the country, Government policy and our low tax regime. Interest rates are at an unprecedentedly low level. Anyone who read page six of the Irish...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Feb 2009)

Donie Cassidy: When one adds income tax of 41%, they pay 45% of their income. They belong to the 6.5% of the population who pay 50% of all income tax paid in the State.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Feb 2009)

Donie Cassidy: On a point of information, whether it is a levy or tax, it comes out of one's wages.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Feb 2009)

Donie Cassidy: I am trying to bring balance to the House, given the comments made. We must not forget that 50% of all the income tax paid is paid by 6.5% of the people. Some 38% of people working pay no income tax. We must bear in mind that if there are no golden geese, there are no golden eggs.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Feb 2009)

Donie Cassidy: We must know——

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Feb 2009)

Donie Cassidy: We must know from experience that those who take the risks must have a chance to make a profit. We must also know from experience that it is not a crime to make a profit.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Feb 2009)

Donie Cassidy: We want to encourage the Irish-owned small and medium-sized family businesses, in particular, who employ 880,000 people. They will be here next year and in the years after that if credit is made available by the banks. As legislators, we have a duty to ensure we bring this point home. Our party leaders are meeting this afternoon. We are the representatives of the people who work for those...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Feb 2009)

Donie Cassidy: ——as has the Cathaoirleach. It was very inspiring. I thought Senator Eugene Regan was going to ask about the new guidelines for the local elections, in particular the spending guidelines. No doubt it will be raised on the Order of Business tomorrow. Senator Marc MacSharry called for a debate on social housing and so on. I will seek clarification from the Minister in regard to his...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Feb 2009)

Donie Cassidy: The Order of Business is No. 1, Gas (Amendment) Bill 2008 — Committee and Remaining Stages, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business; No. 2, Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008 — Committee Stage, to resume not earlier than 2.30 p.m. and adjourn not later than 5 p.m. if not previously concluded; and No. 25, Private Members' motion re child poverty, to be taken at 5 p.m. and to...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Feb 2009)

Donie Cassidy: Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Kelly, Ross, McFadden, Leyden, O'Brien, Quinn, Donohoe, Callely and Norris expressed strong views on the latest announcements from banking circles and the allegations regarding the bank culture that has obtained in Ireland for some considerable time. I acknowledge the views of Senator Quinn on the danger that private investment in the banks will not be...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Feb 2009)

Donie Cassidy: In the case of 128 classes in 119 schools, the number of pupils dropped below the minimum. Those schools therefore are no longer entitled to the teaching posts——