Results 1,921-1,940 of 7,765 for speaker:Maurice Cummins

Seanad: Council Framework Decision on Combating Terrorism: Motion (27 Nov 2008)

Maurice Cummins: No, it was not afterwards.

Seanad: Council Framework Decision on Combating Terrorism: Motion (27 Nov 2008)

Maurice Cummins: On a point of clarification, we are not against the motion per se, but rather against it not being allowed to be discussed. That was our reason for calling for a division.

Seanad: Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Nov 2008)

Maurice Cummins: I empathise with much of Senator Norris's statements. The Austrian and Belgian situations are interesting. Were we to adopt a similar resolution, would we delay our ratification of the convention? Neither Senator Norris nor anyone else would want or suggest that, since it makes sense that people apply the same standards in legislation. I would welcome the Minister of State's comments in...

Seanad: Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Nov 2008)

Maurice Cummins: How were the stipulations that a munition should contain fewer than ten explosive submunitions and that each such submunition should weigh more than 4 kilograms arrived at? It is obvious that much negotiation took place but regardless of whether it is large or small, a bomb is still a bomb. I look forward to the Minister of State's explanation in this regard.

Seanad: Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Nov 2008)

Maurice Cummins: I thank the Minister for his explanation. It is obvious the definition came about as a result of painstaking negotiations. Fine Gael would prefer a ban on all cluster munitions. However, to seek to change matters at this stage would result in our applying different standards to other countries thus delaying ratification of the convention. For these reasons, we will go along with the...

Seanad: Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Nov 2008)

Maurice Cummins: I support the sentiments expressed by Senator Norris in this regard. It would be our hope that this is just a starting block and that we would continue to lobby as Senator Norris has outlined. I am sure the Minister of State in his reply will indicate that the Government will continue to press ahead with a view to gaining further ground in the future. This is a very important starting...

Seanad: Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Nov 2008)

Maurice Cummins: In an ideal world and with all countries singing from the same hymn sheet the amendment would be acceptable. The Minister of State referred to the prospect of Irish troops coming under fire. For example, were Irish troops currently in Chad under attack and in need of help from another country that is not signed up to the convention, nobody here would say that we could choose who we wanted...

Seanad: Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Nov 2008)

Maurice Cummins: I compliment the Minister and his officials on introducing the Bill. As I indicated on Second Stage, Deputy Timmins introduced similar legislation in the other House. Most of the Fine Gael Party Bill is included in the legislation before us. The Oslo process has been lengthy and the Government and its officials have done Ireland proud. I extend best wishes to the Minister and his...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2008)

Maurice Cummins: There is none.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2008)

Maurice Cummins: What has Fianna Fáil been doing for the past ten years?

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2008)

Maurice Cummins: That is the problem, the Government is not looking after them.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2008)

Maurice Cummins: He is easily impressed.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2008)

Maurice Cummins: The Leader is making some tune of this.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Dec 2008)

Maurice Cummins: I agree with Senators O'Toole and Norris. Standing Orders make it abundantly clear that the Leader must order the business of the day on that particular day. Under Standing Order 16, we will have to have an Order of Business tomorrow.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Burke has made a very good point, particularly in this day and age when there is much fraud relating to bank accounts. The Minister of State might explain the displaying of bank account details if that is what is meant in the Bill. I would certainly have reservations about showing the bank account details of any of the charities.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Maurice Cummins: How many members will be on the board? A minimum of four is mentioned in the Bill. Along with my colleagues, I welcome the fact that the Minister of State will not preclude members of local authorities from becoming members. This has been a constant theme in the legislation we have seen coming through the House in the past number of years. Local authority members are treated as second...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Maurice Cummins: The Government can still do it in the Harbours (Amendment) Bill.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Maurice Cummins: Did Senator Leyden tell her that he voted against her membership in the Harbours (Amendment) Bill?

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Leyden voted the local authority members off the harbours board and Aer Lingus.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Buttimer has covered most of what I wished to say. Charity begins at home, and that is certainly true as far as Fianna Fáil and the Green Party are concerned. Rather then precluding members of local authorities, I hope the Minister will go the whole hog and provide for the appointment of a local authority member to the board, whether from the Local Authority Members' Association,...