Results 1,721-1,740 of 4,132 for speaker:Donie Cassidy

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Feb 2009)

Donie Cassidy: ——for those classes. On the other hand, of 80 schools, 17 will now be due an additional post when the pupils in question are divided among the mainstream classes. Essentially, the loss of the teaching posts from the mild classes will be offset by the additional posts required to maintain the lower class sizes because of their disadvantaged categorisation. I will endeavour to have the...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Feb 2009)

Donie Cassidy: Senator McFadden raised the worthwhile topic of a grant for slatted sheds. As we all know, that has been the backbone responsible for keeping many people in the construction industry employed in the midlands area in particular in the past 18 months. It was a wonderful idea to bring forward. Those of us who are familiar with everyone involved in the construction industry, especially in my...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Feb 2009)

Donie Cassidy: ——makes available as a matter of urgency the capital that is needed for those farmers who are on bridging finance in particular. I refer especially to young farmers who we want to encourage to stay on the land.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Feb 2009)

Donie Cassidy: As we know, the public service is playing its part at present in this time of recession but nobody plays any greater part than those working in the agricultural sector. They are the people to whom we must give our support to ensure they will have sustainable jobs in the next year or two years. I wholeheartedly welcomed the national insulation programme yesterday that was announced last...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Feb 2009)

Donie Cassidy: ——the internal wall dry lining grant for €2,500, with internal wall insulation grants of up to €4,000. The scheme is especially welcome at a time when people are available to do the work and have the expertise. It will be a help for old people in particular who need all the heat that is possible in their homes.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Feb 2009)

Donie Cassidy: The allocation of €160 million is to be welcomed. I welcome also the grant for heating controls upgrade of €500. I compliment the Minister on bringing this initiative forward. The Seanad has been significant in that context. I refer in particular to the report by Senator Larry Butler, which he brought to the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party on two occasions. That has certainly borne...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Feb 2009)

Donie Cassidy: If I may be allowed to speak. I apologise to the Senator. I will come back to him in the morning with an up-to-date position on the serious concern he has on the issue.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Feb 2009)

Donie Cassidy: The Order of Business is No. 1, Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008 - Committee and Remaining Stages, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Feb 2009)

Donie Cassidy: Is Senator Regan speaking from his own experience?

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Feb 2009)

Donie Cassidy: I propose an amendment on the Order of Business, "That statements on the planned recapitalisation of Allied Irish Banks and Bank of Ireland be taken between 12.30 p.m. and 2.30 p.m., with spokespersons having 12 minutes, all other Senators seven minutes, and Senators may share time, and the Minister to be called upon ten minutes from the conclusion of the debate for concluding comments." I...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (12 Feb 2009)

Donie Cassidy: Is that recommendation on the boundaries available to the public and does it protect county boundaries?

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Feb 2009)

Donie Cassidy: The Order of Business is No. 1, motion re draft Planning and Development (Regional Planning Guidelines) Regulations 2009, to be referred to committee, without debate at the conclusion of the Order of Business; No. 2, Adoption Bill 2009 — Second Stage, to be taken at the conclusion of No. 1 and to adjourn not later than 6.30 p.m., if not previously concluded, with spokespersons having 12...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Feb 2009)

Donie Cassidy: Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Alex White, O'Reilly, Mary White, Quinn, Feeney, Hannigan, Callely, Healy Eames, Hanafin, Norris, Walsh, Regan, Donohoe, Bacik, John Paul Phelan and MacSharry called for another debate on the banking dilemma. Since this House came back after Christmas, it has had a debate on the economy every week. I inform Senators that legislation to provide for the levies...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Feb 2009)

Donie Cassidy: Without mentioning their names, I commend the banks that are offering that rate. Ireland is in a much stronger position than many other countries throughout the world. One cannot get away from the facts of the matter.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Feb 2009)

Donie Cassidy: We should seek to assist and strengthen those who have been giving and creating employment. While Members of the House want to give opinions, they should also acknowledge the facts of the matter. Senator Fitzgerald and others called for a debate on education. We had such a debate recently. I have no difficulty with allowing time for the Minister to come back into the House to update...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Feb 2009)

Donie Cassidy: The Minister said that a record €656 million will be invested in school building projects this year.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Feb 2009)

Donie Cassidy: I welcome these facts.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Feb 2009)

Donie Cassidy: Senator O'Toole——

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Feb 2009)

Donie Cassidy: I think it is against the custom of the House for anybody to read a newspaper in the House.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Feb 2009)

Donie Cassidy: Yes, it is.