Results 1,721-1,740 of 2,017 for speaker:Paul Bradford

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Paul Bradford: I am sure it is a very high rate. I am not aware that his party objected to it. When we conclude our debate on what charges should apply to water and refuse charges and property taxes, the next part of the equation is ensuring value for money. I have no difficulty with the amendment dealing with the poverty impact. We often table similar amendments. However, the other side of the coin is...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Paul Bradford: The amendments deal with the charges. I accept that there will be a charge. Charges have always been paid in one form or another. We need to ensure that the price set for the charge that consumers will have to pay will be fair and reasonable and that the current faults within the system, which are producing such waste and loss of revenue and income, are tackled and that we have a top-class...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Paul Bradford: I concur with Senator Cáit Keane. In selling this new concept to members of the public, we must try to portray the benefits of water conservation and quality, improvements in economic activity and the need to secure a long-term asset for the country. Domestic consumers and householders must also see benefits. Senator Keane has outlined some useful proposals in that regard. Given the...

Seanad: Death of Nelson Mandela: Statements (10 Dec 2013)

Paul Bradford: I was privileged to be a Member of the Lower House when, in July 1990, Nelson Mandela walked down the steps of the Chamber of Dáil Éireann to address its Members some short months after he walked out of his prison cell. It is marvellous to reflect on his journey from student to lawyer to agitator to prisoner to statesman, peacemaker and humanitarian. Nelson Mandela has rightly...

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. This debate on the Finance (No. 2) Bill affords us the opportunity to review the nation's finances and the Government's policies. It comes at an opportune time, in terms of the ending of one political era and the beginning of another as Ireland prepares to exit the bailout programme. We learned today that the Taoiseach is scheduled to make a...

Seanad: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Paul Bradford: The banks made their position known on Monday of this week. I wish to put on the record my concern at this type of thinking and the view that prioritising one sector will solve our housing problems because it will not do so. Indeed, it may well cause us to drift back to the sort of thinking which saw housing not as a means to a social end but as a means for a small number of developers and...

Seanad: Critical Utilities (Security of Supply) Bill 2013: Second Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the Minister and Senator Quinn's Bill. I also welcome this debate, and it is refreshing to hear contributions like Senator Landy's. Senator Landy and I may come from different places on the political spectrum but I hope it will not in any way affect our political friendship. His contribution nonetheless would not have been out of place in the political and industrial language of...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Dec 2013)

Paul Bradford: I join my colleagues in congratulating the members of the Committee of Public Accounts on the work they have undertaken to investigate the debacle in the charities sector. However, none of us should be surprised about this debacle because, tragically, what is being unearthed is symptomatic of a culture which existed in this country for decades. This culture exhibits an unwillingness to...

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

Paul Bradford: Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

Paul Bradford: As I have only six minutes' speaking time, I ask Senator Crown if he wishes to make a brief contribution. I would disappointed if Senators who wish to contribute are prevented from doing so.

Seanad: Local Government Reform Bill 2013: Second Stage (16 Dec 2013)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the Minister. It has been intimated that he is willing to look favourably on amendments on Committee Stage. While it not the Minister's fault, the Oireachtas, especially the Seanad, should have been given sufficient time to discuss this legislation. Senators and local authority members have a unique relationship, albeit one which was sneered at during the Seanad elections....

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2013)

Paul Bradford: Mr. Minority Whip is fully forgiven.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2013)

Paul Bradford: I am normally hesitant to support requests to the effect that Ministers be brought before the House at short notice. It is generally impractical for them to appear in the Seanad with a few hours notice. It is important, however, that between now and Friday afternoon - when the Seanad is to adjourn for the Christmas recess - a Minister should come before us and outline his or her response to...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2013)

Paul Bradford: However, I hope he will appear prior the House adjourning for the Christmas recess.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: NAMA Debtors (21 Jan 2014)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Perry, and ask him to transmit my views on this matter which deeply concerns me to the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan. I raise with the Minister for Finance, the Government and all my political colleagues the need for us, as a body politic, to react quickly and firmly to the suggestion that...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jan 2014)

Paul Bradford: I ask the Leader to engage with the Government and the appropriate Minister to ensure Members of this House will be allowed to play a constructive role in the banking inquiry. We all welcome the fact that an inquiry is about to start. I heard last night's media reports which suggest that a narrative is emerging to the effect that this is purely a matter for the Dáil. I accept that the...

Seanad: Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2013: Second Stage (22 Jan 2014)

Paul Bradford: While I will be brief I wish to state my general support for the legislation which has been presented. In regard to comments made by Senator Cullinane, if there is a difficulty, as there often is, with particular parts of the legislation or the phraseology, it would be preferable to keep the Bill alive and if the Minister of State was in a position to reflect further on Committee Stage. We...

Seanad: European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (23 Jan 2014)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the Minister to the House. I appreciate his hands are effectively tied in respect of the legislation before us. The date is set for the European elections and we are not going to do a complete U-turn at this stage in terms of how our Members will be elected on this occasion. I hope, however, that the Minister will take on board the points raised by colleagues today, particularly...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jan 2014)

Paul Bradford: The Leader attempted to facilitate us last week by having a further debate on Irish Water. It must be recorded also that, unlike in the Dáil, where the legislation on Irish Water was rushed through the House in a matter of hours, we had a substantial debate here in the Seanad over a number of sessions. Looking back, many of us would raise issues now that we did not raise on that...

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (29 Jan 2014)

Paul Bradford: I thank Senator Zappone and the other Senators who have driven this matter to the top of the political agenda. I look forward to the response of the Minister of State. However, we all know in advance that the response of the Government will be a continuation of Government policy towards the Seanad, which is one of deep and utter cynicism. Fortunately, the people thought differently. It is...