Results 2,201-2,220 of 7,765 for speaker:Maurice Cummins

Seanad: Political Reform: Statements (8 Oct 2013)

Maurice Cummins: Yes.

Seanad: Political Reform: Statements (8 Oct 2013)

Maurice Cummins: I do not propose to reply to this debate as I would on the Order of Business by referring to all of the speakers. It has been a very constructive debate and I thank the large number of Members who contributed to it. We will take on board all of the suggestions that were made. A number of Members suggested that we should have a period of reflection. It is important that we have that and...

Seanad: Political Reform: Statements (8 Oct 2013)

Maurice Cummins: -----to do our business, but I do not know whether the Government would agree with that. I will certainly put it forward as a reform which this House would suggest for the other House, since the other House is making a lot of suggestions about this House. However, I do not wish to be facetious and I agree that if we come up with reforms that we wish to implement, we will need the support of...

Seanad: Political Reform: Statements (8 Oct 2013)

Maurice Cummins: According to the Order of Business, we are supposed to be finishing at this stage, but I have no problem with Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill continuing.

Seanad: Political Reform: Statements (8 Oct 2013)

Maurice Cummins: We had agreed that every contributor would be given five minutes. I propose that I respond to the debate ten minutes before the end of the allotted time.

Seanad: Political Reform: Statements (8 Oct 2013)

Maurice Cummins: We are waiting for it.

Seanad: Political Reform: Statements (8 Oct 2013)

Maurice Cummins: Is the Senator referring to private members' legislation?

Seanad: Political Reform: Statements (8 Oct 2013)

Maurice Cummins: We are having difficulties.

Seanad: Political Reform: Statements (8 Oct 2013)

Maurice Cummins: We are having this debate after a referendum in which the people spoke and decided to retain a bicameral system. They voted to retain the Chamber on the basis of keeping the system but also a wish to reform not only this Chamber but the body politic. It was good to see quite a few members of the press here today, as it is not always the case, and the people still do not realise the amount...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2013)

Maurice Cummins: We certainly have had a marathon session. I do not wish to reply to all of the comments made on the Seanad referendum and the issue of political reform because we will have another opportunity to do so later today. I am sure we will have a comprehensive debate, not only on the issue of Seanad reform but also on political reform in general. Senator Ivana Bacik raised the issue of Priory...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2013)

Maurice Cummins: The Order of Business is No. 1, Private Members' business, which will be motion No. 9 of No. 43, non-Government motions, on the Order Paper, and No. 2, statements on political reform, which I intend to insert on a Supplementary Order Paper to be issued to Members. I propose that No. 2 be taken after the Private Members' motion for two hours and that all Senators be allocated five minutes to...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2013)

Maurice Cummins: Immediately after the Private Members' motion.

Seanad: County Enterprise Boards (Dissolution) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Oct 2013)

Maurice Cummins: I will speak briefly to the Bill which I welcome. As one who was a member of an enterprise board in Waterford for a number of years, I recognise the work enterprise boards have done not alone in my city but throughout the country. They have been quite successful. I compliment the staff, past and present, the board members and the evaluation committees who did such tremendous work down the...

Seanad: An Appreciation of the Life and Work of Seamus Heaney: Statements (3 Oct 2013)

Maurice Cummins: As Leader of the House I am privileged to say some brief words about the exceptional man who was Seamus Heaney. I would like to extend my sincere sympathy and the sincere sympathies and condolences of all Members of Seanad Éireann to Marie and her children. We are delighted that you are here this afternoon to share this occasion with us. Many people will have shared the shock last...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Oct 2013)

Maurice Cummins: I have no indication from the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly, that he intends to come to the House to address that issue. Senator Bacik raised the issue of property rights and welcomed the reduction in the live register figures. A number of Members spoke about the budget and welcomed that the cuts involved will be less than €3.1 billion. The deficit target is 5.1% and,...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Oct 2013)

Maurice Cummins: Irrespective of the result tomorrow, this House will carry out its duties in the exemplary manner it has shown to date. We missed Senator Leyden's colourful contributions while he was in Europe in recent days.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Oct 2013)

Maurice Cummins: I addressed the Senator's points in my comments. Senator Hayden raised the issue of fuel poverty, as she has done on a number of occasions, as well as the submission by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and called for moves for better thermal efficiency, in rental homes in particular. The relevant Minister will attend to discuss that issue soon. Senator Quinn called for a debate on energy...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Oct 2013)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Conway also spoke about the Seanad campaign. Senator Walsh called for a debate in the House on the Middle East, which has also been called for by others within the past two days. I will endeavour to have the Tánaiste attend to discuss the matter, Syria in particular. Such a debate in this House is long overdue although the issue has been debated at the foreign affairs...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Oct 2013)

Maurice Cummins: We will await the Minister's decision, and the budget on 15 October when all will be revealed.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Oct 2013)

Maurice Cummins: I propose the suspension of the House until 11.45 a.m. when we will have statements on the life of the late Seamus Heaney.