Results 23,521-23,540 of 26,610 for speaker:David Cullinane

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Feb 2014)

David Cullinane: I want to join with Senators Landy, Whelan and Kelly and the others who raised the issue of the need for a debate on energy policy. We have all been calling for that debate to happen in this House over recent weeks and months. There is a bizarre situation where we have a Minister with responsibility for this area who is not listening to public representatives in government or opposition....

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Feb 2014)

David Cullinane: Many Senators have referred to the controversy concerning the section 38 and section 39 organisations funded by the State but in respect of which we have not had full accountability and transparency. I agree with the Government party Senators who have called for that accountability because there should be no secrecy when it comes to the salaries of any organisation which is partly funded by...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Hospital Staff (12 Feb 2014)

David Cullinane: I very much hope that the hospital groups will work for all hospitals in the region. I look forward to working with the new CEO and chairperson of the group in the south west and the south east. I welcome the announcement of recruitment in a number of areas, including for nurses, NCHDs, hospital consultants and health and social care professionals, and intern places for health support...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Hospital Staff (12 Feb 2014)

David Cullinane: I welcome the Minister to the House, as he is a frequent visitor when taking Adjournment motions relating to Waterford Regional Hospital. I have tabled this matter on the back of a parliamentary question asked by my colleague, Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, a couple of weeks ago regarding staffing levels at Waterford Regional Hospital from 2007 to 2014. The HSE provided those...

Seanad: Political Reform: Motion (12 Feb 2014)

David Cullinane: I have no difficulty in sharing time but it would have been helpful if the Leader of the House had extended the debate for a few minutes to enable all of us to speak. That in itself shows up the mockery of political reform. I represent three Senators in this House, yet I have only three minutes in which to make a contribution on political reform. The Government is saying it wants ideas and...

Seanad: Political Reform: Motion (12 Feb 2014)

David Cullinane: I am using my time to show up the ridiculous nature of political reform. The Leader sits there and says he is in favour of reform, but will not extend the debate by five or ten minutes. It does not make any sense, unless he does not want to listen to all shades of opinion in this House. I have no difficulty in sharing time with Senator Crown because he has been innovative in using the...

Seanad: Political Reform: Motion (12 Feb 2014)

David Cullinane: One can talk all one wants about reform, what the Government has implemented and what it claims are successes. The reality is, however, that as long as central government and the Executive refuse to cede power to the Dáil, Seanad or local government, we will always have only piecemeal reform. We will only be ameliorating the system around the edges, but will not have the reform we...

Seanad: Political Reform: Motion (12 Feb 2014)

David Cullinane: I did not interrupt the Senator. The Government tried to abolish the Seanad while cutting the number of Deputies and councillors, but there has been no real reform or devolution of power. When we debated the Local Government Bill, I challenged the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to indicate one power that has been devolved by any Department to local government....

Seanad: Recent Flooding: Statements (12 Feb 2014)

David Cullinane: I welcome the Minister of State and thank him for visiting the many places affected by the worst of the flooding in the past few weeks. I am sure it was appreciated by the victims of the flood damage. The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government visited County Waterford also. The coastal areas of the south west, south and south east are taking a battering. There are...

Seanad: Health Identifiers Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Feb 2014)

David Cullinane: I thank the Minister of State for bringing forward this Bill. It passed through the Seanad very quickly but that is not a reflection of the importance of the Bill; the cross-party support is an indication of the Bill's importance. It seeks to make the health services more efficient - which we all want - and make them more effective for patients and patient care. That is essentially what...

Seanad: Health Identifiers Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Feb 2014)

David Cullinane: I move amendment No. 6: In page 11, to delete lines 35 to 37.On Second Stage I spoke in favour of the Bill and I am still in favour of the Bill. It is necessary and will join up services across hospital care and health care generally. I am very much in favour of this. It has been far too long coming. The previous Government should have done this a long time ago but I welcome this...

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (12 Feb 2014)

David Cullinane: I join in the tributes that are being paid to Tom today in the Seanad Chamber. I welcome his wife, Bridie, his children and his many family members and friends who have gathered in the Gallery today. On behalf of the Sinn Féin group in the Seanad, I extend my sympathies to them. I am always conscious that on such occasions, it is a bittersweet event for the family and for those who...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Feb 2014)

David Cullinane: Yesterday, we received the news that Honeywell Process Solutions in Waterford is to close, with the loss of 27 jobs. That is sad for the 27 workers and their families who will be devastated by this news. It is also devastating for Waterford city to experience more job losses. The unemployment crisis in Waterford city and county at present is unsustainable and has reached a dangerous level....

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Feb 2014)

David Cullinane: What about this week?

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Feb 2014)

David Cullinane: For one hour.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Feb 2014)

David Cullinane: I express disappointment that, once again, we are not sitting this Thursday. I understand the Leader has indicated that it may be the same next Thursday. We should sit on Thursdays. I acknowledge it is not the Leader's fault, but calls have been made in the Chamber for debates on important issues which we could easily take place this Thursday and next Thursday. It is disappointing that,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (11 Feb 2014)

David Cullinane: The Department will carry out its consultation, from which we can benefit, but it might be useful for us to also write to some of the organisations that would represent the sectors that would be affected to seek their opinions. If it means at some point transposing a directive we should be as well informed as possible. If the Minister is to come before a Council meeting it provides us with...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Feb 2014)

David Cullinane: It is. I asked for it to be taken tomorrow.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Feb 2014)

David Cullinane: I thank the Leader for agreeing to arrange a debate on flooding as quickly as possible. The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan, or the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Deputy Brian Hayes, should discuss with us the impact of the floods in counties Cork, Galway, Kerry and Waterford. Last night, Waterford city...

Seanad: Charities Sector: Statements (4 Feb 2014)

David Cullinane: The Minister has been disrespectful to me, as a public representative, and my party and I will not tolerate it. We are elected with a mandate to do a job.