Results 1,881-1,900 of 2,017 for speaker:Paul Bradford

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Local Government Reform (5 Mar 2015)

Paul Bradford: I fully agree.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Mar 2015)

Paul Bradford: I generally support the comments made by colleagues on the housing matter in terms of bankruptcy and the heavily indebted citizens all across the country, but we must ask ourselves why. The answer to the "why" question is the property crash and the policies that brought about that market. The crash did not happen by chance. Policy went in the wrong direction. We put the construction...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Mar 2015)

Paul Bradford: I concur very much with the points made by Senator Catherine Noone and I am intrigued by the Gresham Hotel's plans for ceoil but no ól on St. Patrick's Day. Senator Catherine Noone's observation is valid and ties in with what Senator Jillian van Turnhout said. There have been attempts to have a proper national debate on alcohol consumption and abuse in this country, but it has not been...

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Farm Safety: Discussion (23 Mar 2015)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the delegations. My question probably relates more to the IFA and the ICMSA from a milk production perspective. We are all aware that milk output and milk processing will increase very dramatically in the short to medium term, or that is to what we aspire as a nation, and, accordingly, activity on dairy farms across the country will increase fairly dramatically. As the ICMSA...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Housing Provision (24 Mar 2015)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. While she does not have full control over the Department's housing policy, her role as Minister of State with responsibility for rural development means the issue is very much on her agenda. We all agree there is a very serious housing problem in Dublin, which is having a knock-on effect throughout the country. While my question relates to a...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Housing Provision (24 Mar 2015)

Paul Bradford: It is comprehensive in reiterating the position that is known to us already-----

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Housing Provision (24 Mar 2015)

Paul Bradford: Will the Minister of State take back to the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Kelly, my profound concern that we are failing to acknowledge the fact that tens of thousands of people are awaiting social housing and private housing and that simultaneously, there are thousands of vacant accommodation units across the country? There appears to be no joined-up...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Mar 2015)

Paul Bradford: While I did not hear Senator Landy's observation on town councils and local government, I heard Senator Wilson's intervention. Following reported comments at the Labour Party conference, or perhaps on the margins of the conference, by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, and the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly,...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Mar 2015)

Paul Bradford: I very much agree with the previous speaker, Senator Aideen Hayden. I support Senator Thomas Byrne's request that we use this Chamber, in so far as possible, to activate, rather than reactivate, a very genuine holistic debate on the housing crisis. It is a matter on which I have spoken frequently in recent months. We were promised that the Minister would attend, but we need much more than...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Mar 2015)

Paul Bradford: I agree with Senator Aideen Hayden, first, on the genuine crisis in the house rental market and the difficulties with the rent supplement scheme and, second, the argument in regard to NAMA which, in a sense, feeds the problem and is part of the solution. I dealt with one or two cases in which individuals who were attempting to purchase properties from NAMA found it difficult because, for...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Farms Data (2 Apr 2015)

Paul Bradford: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Phelan, to the House once again. I am aware that one area of her responsibilities is rural development and planning for the future of rural Ireland. In that regard, my motion is pertinent. It concerns the Government's future plans to maximise the number of farming families in this country over the long term at a time when all in the agriculture...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2015)

Paul Bradford: I support Senator Hayden’s comments on the mortgage arrears crisis. While a full debate in the House will not resolve the issue, the presence of the Minister for Finance and a debate would be helpful. This request was made some time ago. It would be appropriate for him to give a favourable response soon. I also support Senator Gilroy’s comments on our sometimes selective...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Apr 2015)

Paul Bradford: I apologise for missing the earlier part of this debate and yesterday’s Order of Business. Perhaps there has already been a request for a follow-up in this House to the spring statement in the Dáil. We could have a useful debate. The spring statement is a European concept and an obligation imposed on the Government by the EU. It is helpful.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Apr 2015)

Paul Bradford: It will allow Members from all parties and none to present their economic views and vision for the next few years. We can only ask that we have a full debate on the matter here with the Minister for Finance, as soon as possible. I support what Senator Mullins said about the executions in Indonesia. Most if not all right-minded people would be deeply upset and outraged at them. We must...

Seanad: Sport Ireland Bill 2014: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2015)

Paul Bradford: This is an omnibus section which outlines the functions of Sport Ireland. On the basis of promoting elite athletes and excellence in competitive sports, the Minister of State may be able to advise me what will be the relationship between Sport Ireland and the Olympic Council of Ireland, a body which selects Irish Olympians and other high ranking sporting organisations. Apart from the...

Seanad: Sport Ireland Bill 2014: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2015)

Paul Bradford: Senator Darragh O'Brien has raised a valid query and I acknowledge that the Minister of State's response is possibly as good as it can be under the circumstances. Thinking about these two words "consultants" and "advisers" and the role played by such figures in the economic history of the country over the past decade, they have become two very frightening and negative words. When we are...

Seanad: Sport Ireland Bill 2014: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2015)

Paul Bradford: I have listened with interest to Senator Darragh O'Brien. He makes a valid case and has made some interesting observations. If this is to be a new entity with a new beginning and if it is to do all things properly and within the confines of the required standards, it would be far preferable if the first appointment were preceded by a public competition. That would ensure the vacancy was...

Seanad: Sport Ireland Bill 2014: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2015)

Paul Bradford: I appreciate that the role of the person to be appointed is broader than either of the two previous portfolios. Notwithstanding the economic straightjacket under which we all must exist, we would expect there will possibly be an increase in the salary. If the salary has been approved already by the Department, presumably it is not a State secret. It would be helpful, before the debate...

Seanad: Sport Ireland Bill 2014: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2015)

Paul Bradford: I refer to my second question to the Minister of State. I appreciate he needs to achieve progress and does not want a long delay between the passage of the Bill and the appointment of the interim top man or woman, but is there a window for those who might be interested, who feel that they have the abilities, the vision and leadership in Irish sport? Are they in a position to make their...

Seanad: Sport Ireland Bill 2014: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2015)

Paul Bradford: The section states a person who fails to comply with the Irish anti-doping rules shall not be eligible for funding to represent the State in sport. Is there a time limit on this? Would such a time limit be under the regulation of the Irish anti-doping rules? Is someone who fails to comply permanently excluded from representing the State or is there a limit on the restriction?