Results 2,041-2,060 of 7,765 for speaker:Maurice Cummins

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (27 Nov 2013)

Maurice Cummins: I am privileged to lead the tributes today to the late former Senator Bernard McGlinchey, who passed away in April. I express my sincere sympathies and those of the House with all his family and friends, who I am sure miss him dearly. Bernard served in the House for 21 years from 1961 to 1982 on the industrial and commercial panel and the administrative panel. He also served as a nominee...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Nov 2013)

Maurice Cummins: We will have a debate on the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction (Fixed Penalty Notice) Bill 2013 here this evening and some of those points will be raised again with the Minister. Senator Ó Domhnaill mentioned pensioners losing medical cards. Some 97% of people aged over 70 have medical cards and it is expected that 97% will have them even after the cuts and amendments to the...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Nov 2013)

Maurice Cummins: Senator MacSharry raised many items relating to the health service. Many of these were addressed yesterday. There is no question that next year will be a challenging year in the health services. They have funding of €13.263 billion in current expenditure and €397 million in capital expenditure for 2014 while savings, which have been outlined, amount to €666 million....

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Nov 2013)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Hayden also raised the issue of homelessness and housing supply. Senator Quinn inquired of the eligibility rules for third level grants and the residency requirements that a student must have lived three out of five years in an EU member state. I have come across this problem myself, only to meet a stone wall in trying to solve it. I will bring the matter to the attention of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Nov 2013)

Maurice Cummins: The Order of Business is No. 1, Child and Family Agency Bill 2013 - Second Stage, to be taken at 12.30 p.m. and conclude not later than 2.30 p.m., with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed six minutes and the Minister to be called on to reply to the debate not later than 2.20 p.m.; No. 2, Companies (Miscellaneous...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (26 Nov 2013)

Maurice Cummins: At 10.30 a.m. tomorrow.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (26 Nov 2013)

Maurice Cummins: I assure Senator Sean D. Barrett that we will not be taking all Stages on Thursday. We will be taking Committee Stage when we will have ample time to discuss amendments. Report Stage will be taken next week. When I heard Senator Paschal Mooney state this was too little too late, I was reminded of the EU directive and when it was introduced in the first place.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2013: Order for Second Stage (26 Nov 2013)

Maurice Cummins: I move: "That Second Stage be taken today."

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2013)

Maurice Cummins: I have referred to the concerns raised by Senators Jim Walsh and John Crown.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2013)

Maurice Cummins: Such meetings may have taken place but I am not aware that they did. Senator Conway and others referred to the unemployment figures and the fact that 1,200 jobs are being created each week. That is a wonderful improvement on the position which obtained up to two and a half years ago.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2013)

Maurice Cummins: Prior to 2011, some 250,000 jobs were lost in a three-year period. However, everyone will acknowledge that there is a long way to go in respect of this matter. Senator Leyden complimented the Garda on its efforts in combating crime and called for a review of the free legal aid scheme. Senator Hayden referred to the first case involving the Insolvency Service of Ireland and requested a debate...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2013)

Maurice Cummins: Either the House or I should be able to address that issue. Senator Brennan referred to hospice services and volunteers who transport people to appointments. Those volunteers do wonderful work and it should be appreciated. The Senator called for concessions to be made in respect of car parking charges in hospitals. I do not know who has responsibility in this regard. It is probably a...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2013)

Maurice Cummins: It is not within my remit to do that.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2013)

Maurice Cummins: It is not within my remit. Notice would have been given of when amendments could be tabled. Senator Bacik and several other Senators spoke about the expansion of university seats to all third-level colleges and institutions.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2013)

Maurice Cummins: I will certainly-----

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2013)

Maurice Cummins: I have no objection whatsoever-----

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2013)

Maurice Cummins: I have no objection to extending the time if it can be extended. There is no question about that.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2013)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Bacik spoke about Seanad reform and the expansion of the University seats to all third-level institutions. This is a matter that has been raised by several other Senators. As Leader of the House, I have no indication of when this Bill will be before us. I certainly have no indication that, as reported in the newspapers, it may be here before Christmas. I have no indication...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2013)

Maurice Cummins: Senator van Turnhout also called for a debate on the youth guarantee. The Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Burton, will be here with us all afternoon. Prior to the debate, I will ask her when she can come in to debate that issue. Senator Norris raised the need for reform of the vocational panels. That was the subject of a couple of Bills that were before the House before the Seanad...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2013)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Thomas Byrne referred to the Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2013, with which we will be dealing today. There is no time limit on Second Stage, nor will there be a time limit on Committee Stage, within reason. There will not be a time limit on Report Stage. We can deal with today's business for as long as we want. Such an important Bill will be allowed the time it deserves.