Results 23,501-23,520 of 26,610 for speaker:David Cullinane

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Mar 2014)

David Cullinane: I agree with Senator Darragh O'Brien's call for the Minister for Health to come to the House for a debate on many issues relating to the health service. We have still not had a proper debate on the national HSE service plan and the impact it will have on acute hospitals and primary care services across the State. The funding cuts which were put in place in the budget are only now being felt...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Mar 2014)

David Cullinane: I had no intention of raising this issue but I want to support Senator Cáit Keane's comments about Paddy Power. It is despicable that any bookmaker would take bets on the outcome of any trial, not least a murder trial. It is very insensitive and should not be happening. I hope the company learns from this and that it does the right thing. It is intolerable and deplorable and it...

Seanad: Action Plan for Jobs: Statements (5 Mar 2014)

David Cullinane: I welcome the Minister and the opportunity to debate the Action Plan on Jobs. Many Senators have been calling for a debate on jobs and unemployment and I am grateful to the Minister for coming before the House for this discussion. There is no doubt that the live register figures have been encouraging in recent months. The jobs that have been gained are welcome because every job created is...

Seanad: Action Plan for Jobs: Statements (5 Mar 2014)

David Cullinane: The Minister will have an opportunity to respond. The economy has experienced significant growth in areas in which employment is low paid and much less growth in areas where jobs are higher paid, which are what the economy needs. Polarisation is also evident in regional development, with some regions not performing as strongly as others. As the Minister is aware, the south east is not...

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (4 Mar 2014)

David Cullinane: On behalf of the Sinn Féin Party, I want to extend my sympathies to the family of Martin O'Toole. I imagine it is always a bittersweet occasion for family and friends in the Visitors Gallery - I said the same last week when we paid tribute to a former Senator who also died - because the sadness is still there with the loss of Martin, but it is also wonderful to come to Leinster House...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Mar 2014)

David Cullinane: It is clear that the Government press office has been very busy giving prepared statements to Senators from both the Labour Party and Fine Gael about how wonderful everything is.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Mar 2014)

David Cullinane: It might be interesting-----

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Mar 2014)

David Cullinane: -----if they came in to list the long list of failures for which the Government has been responsible and the unfairness of many of the policies which have been imposed on many people. This fact is reflected in the opinion polls. The people will see through the Government spin when we come to the local and European elections. I wish to raise the issue of Eirgrid's plans to build the...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Mar 2014)

David Cullinane: A majority of citizens are against overhead power lines. Record numbers have lobbied EirGrid and made submissions through the public consultation process. In this light, it is obvious that there is no public support. Despite the commission being put in place, however, EirGrid is still pressing ahead with its plans. This is not good enough. The Government should do the right thing and ask...

Seanad: Parental Leave Bill 2013: Committee Stage (26 Feb 2014)

David Cullinane: I commend Senator White on tabling this Bill. Today has been a good day for the Seanad - a day when the Leader has allowed Opposition Senators to move a number of Bills which have been on the Order Paper for some time. I understand that over the next number of weeks, a number of other Bills on the Order Paper will also be discussed and debated. This is the reason we are here and the...

Seanad: Parental Leave Bill 2013: Committee Stage (26 Feb 2014)

David Cullinane: Senator MacSharry fully agrees.

Seanad: Parental Leave Bill 2013: Committee Stage (26 Feb 2014)

David Cullinane: Yes, last week.

Seanad: Fines (Payment and Recovery) Bill 2013: Second Stage (26 Feb 2014)

David Cullinane: Dreadful.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Feb 2014)

David Cullinane: There is an important debate taking place in the Dáil on the future of the post office network in the State and I understand a protest will take place outside Leinster House today organised by the Irish Postmasters' Union and the Communication Workers' Union. Over the past week a number of Senators called for a debate on this issue and I echo those calls today. The Grant Thornton...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Job Creation (25 Feb 2014)

David Cullinane: I do not doubt the Minister's support for the south east and know that he is aware of the problems in the region. However, the people who live in the south east and particularly in Waterford, will not be clapping the Government on the back, given the very high levels of unemployment in the county. I spoke about levelling the playing field and making sure that a number of promises contained...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Job Creation (25 Feb 2014)

David Cullinane: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. He may be aware that a couple of weeks ago there was again an announcement of more job losses in Waterford city from Honeywell Process Solutions. The unemployment figure in Waterford and in the south east is still way above the national average. It is over a year since I published the Southeast Economic Development Strategy, or SEEDS report,...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Feb 2014)

David Cullinane: I join Senator Bacik and Senator Zappone in commending the work of the Constitutional Convention and calling for a debate in the House on the final report, which will be furnished to the Taoiseach by the chairman, Mr. Tom Arnold. If we have a debate, the Taoiseach should come to the Chamber. It would be a worthwhile debate with the Taoiseach. Many of the citizen delegates at the convention...

Seanad: Mental Health Services Provision: Motion (19 Feb 2014)

David Cullinane: I apologise. The reality is that if the beds are taken from Ballinasloe, it will be a loss to that area and community and I can understand its fears. I have listened to this debate for the past hour and a half. Even a number of Government Senators have talked about the criteria process, which they believe has not been applied fairly. I know they are from the constituency and are perhaps...

Seanad: Mental Health Services Provision: Motion (19 Feb 2014)

David Cullinane: I welcome the Minister of State to the House, as well as all those in the Visitors Gallery who have come to listen to this debate. I do not envy the Minister’s job. It is always a difficult job when one has to balance competing demands. I have listened very carefully to this debate. I have listened to people from both the Government and Opposition over the past hour and a half. I...

Seanad: Mental Health Services Provision: Motion (19 Feb 2014)

David Cullinane: A lot of Senators have indicated a wish to contribute to the debate.