Results 25,041-25,060 of 26,610 for speaker:David Cullinane

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Sep 2012)

David Cullinane: Fianna Fáil wanted to support a European army.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Sep 2012)

David Cullinane: We all agree with that.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Sep 2012)

David Cullinane: In recent days there was a debate in the Dáil on the health service and, more important, the performance of the Minister for Health. A motion of no confidence was tabled. While the Minister may have survived that motion it is fair to say he was given the yellow card, not from Opposition Members but by the failure of his own Minister of State, Deputy Róisín Shortall, in her contribution,...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Road Network (19 Sep 2012)

David Cullinane: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. The reality, however, is that local authorities will find it very difficult to raise the extra money locally given the constraints on their already limited revenue streams, including rates. The bottom line is that they require the support of central Government, particularly in respect of their roads programmes. I accept that the Government has a...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Road Network (19 Sep 2012)

David Cullinane: The Minister of State has indicated that he is a keen fan of sailing. If he had been in west Waterford during the month of August, he would, in the aftermath of the heavy rainfall, have needed a boat to make his way around certain parts of the area. This matter relates to the impact of said rainfall on the roads in west Waterford. On 12 August extensive damage was caused to roads in the...

Seanad: Charities Act 2009: Motion (19 Sep 2012)

David Cullinane: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and commend the Labour Party Members for tabling this motion. As other Members have stated, we all want to put on record our appreciation and recognition of the good work carried out by charities in all our communities across the State and across the island of the Ireland. The work is unquantifiable in monetary terms and it is often said that...

Seanad: Charities Act 2009: Motion (19 Sep 2012)

David Cullinane: The Minister of State should vote "No" in the referendum to abolish the Seanad when it is held.

Seanad: Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Sep 2012)

David Cullinane: I want to make a broad point but I am sticking to the section. I accept what the Minister of State says in respect of the balance that must be struck in terms of new drugs that come on the market, the cost of these drugs and the overall health budget. I welcome the statement that where possible and practical these drugs will be made available to the people who need them. If we are to make...

Seanad: Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Sep 2012)

David Cullinane: I welcome the Minister of State. Sinn Féin supports the Bill. My party has not tabled amendments at this point, but we are considering a number of possible amendments which we may table in the Dáil. We support the Bill because any measure which leads to the State saving considerable amounts of money must be welcomed. I support the notion of putting in place clear and detailed...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Sep 2012)

David Cullinane: I join previous speakers in welcoming everybody back after the summer break. I also welcome the publication of the wording for the children's rights referendum, which my party will support. Senator McAleese made a profound contribution when he spoke about the relevance of this House and the role we can play. There is no doubt that over the past year or so, this House had done a lot of...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (20 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: I commend the Minister on the amendments. It is important we ensure that in seeking to reform this area, we make it as accountable as possible. The Minister has gone a long way and he is to be commended on the changes that are being introduced. Anything that can increase accountability and oversight is vital. I might come back to the issue of corporate donations under amendments Nos. 6...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (20 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: I welcome the amendments but seek clarification on a number of issues from the Minister. Up to now the practice has been that political parties could make their annual accounts available, though they were not required to do so. In the context of these amendments, are we talking about every branch of a political party? If that is what is being proposed, it would be useful. The only...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (20 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: Can I ask ---

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (20 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: I support these amendments. The Minister has struck the right balance with €100. What is the position if a series of lodgments of sums under €100, such as €99 or €95, is made to a donations account? That could cause concern for the commission. The commission would have no obligation to investigate such an account. We are always examining ways in which we can prevent people...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (20 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: I support the amendments, which relate to section 7. I stated earlier I would take this opportunity to raise the issue of corporate donations, although I know the Minister was referring to cash donations. The Minister has gone a long way and the new donations thresholds have gone a long way towards meeting our demands. However, we have made the point we are in favour of a complete ban on...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (20 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: Perhaps the Minister could provide Members with an update.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (20 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: I am giving the Minister an opportunity to use the Seanad in an important way.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (20 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: He might provide information, given that the Lower House has gone on its holidays earlier than the Seanad.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (20 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: I support the amendments. When we seek to ensure that individuals provide maximum information, and if we want proper accountability and transparency, no doubt there is a price to be paid. That price, for election candidates, is that there is an element of bureaucracy now involved in terms of managing accounts and providing information. We are implementing, as best we can, the...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (20 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: Earlier I commented on the donations element of the Bill and I commend the Minister on having gone a long way in that regard. We should not forget the gender quota aspect of the Bill, which is a significant step forward. I know it is not without its detractors and that some people believe quotas will not work. We need to face up to the fact that we need to do something to ensure we...