Results 25,441-25,460 of 26,630 for speaker:David Cullinane

Seanad: Order of Business (9 May 2012)

David Cullinane: Despite what Members on the Government side might say, they have lambasted those of us on the left who have called for a stimulus and growth strategy in recent years.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 May 2012)

David Cullinane: Which of the pre-election commitments will the Government implement? Will it be the €7 billion stimulus promised by Fine Gael to invest in energy or the strategic investment bank of €2.8 promised by the Labour Party, or will it be the €7 billion stimulus we have called for, where we can use money from the National Pensions Reserve Fund?

Seanad: Order of Business (9 May 2012)

David Cullinane: Following those elections in Europe, and the fact the people in those countries are now clearly opposed to austerity and support a strategy of growth, it is important the people of this country do likewise and reject this flawed, bad treaty. It is important this House debates the meaning of a growth agenda for the people of this State and the people of Europe.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 May 2012)

David Cullinane: In the Assembly-----

Seanad: Community Education (2 May 2012)

David Cullinane: I thank the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, for coming to the House to take this Adjournment matter. I draw to the Minister's attention a project which operates in County Waterford, Ballybeg community education project, which has been in place for many years. It provides a useful and worthwhile service for many young people who live in a so-called disadvantaged area in...

Seanad: Community Education (2 May 2012)

David Cullinane: I thank the Minister, Deputy Shatter, for taking this Adjournment debate and for expressing his support and his intention to bring the information I provided back to the relevant Minister. Of course, in the current climate it is difficult to be asked to ring-fence funding or insulate any project but as the Minister noted, this is a serious issue. This project is providing a very worthwhile...

Seanad: Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (2 May 2012)

David Cullinane: With the indulgence of the Acting Chairman I do not intend to contribute again on this Bill because my party fully supports the Bill. If I may take this opportunity to commend Senator Bacik on bringing this Bill forward, it shows the-----

Seanad: Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (2 May 2012)

David Cullinane: I accept that, but I did ask for the Chair's indulgence.

Seanad: Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (2 May 2012)

David Cullinane: I commend Senator Bacik on this Bill and it shows again the usefulness of this House that we can bring forward Bills which are given Government support. I thank the Minister and the Government for supporting the Bill. I understand that most of the amendments which have been tabled have actually come from the Government and from Senator Bacik and that they are technical amendments. My party...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 May 2012)

David Cullinane: Last September this House passed a Labour Party motion that was supported by Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin, the Independents and, of course, the Labour Party itself. It proposed that greater protections be instituted for employees facing collective redundancy and that the Government review existing legislation to examine whether a longer notice period than 30 days should be provided by...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 May 2012)

David Cullinane: During the same debate, Senator Marie Moloney criticised the inordinate delays which faced applicants for entitlements under the insolvency fund but yesterday the same Labour Party Minister of State said he believed the relevant current legislative provisions provide an adequate level of support for employees who find themselves in a position where their employer has become insolvent. I do...

Seanad: Employment Support Services (1 May 2012)

David Cullinane: I welcome the Minister of State back to the House. I wish to draw her attention to the eligibility for the ICT skills programme 2012. Many such programmes require workers to be unemployed for a time before qualifying for the retention of their social welfare payments, which can create problems for many people. I wish to read out a letter written by the local office manager in my county to...

Seanad: Employment Support Services (1 May 2012)

David Cullinane: I will not delay the Minister at all. The confusion is due to the fact that the letter stated the applicant should be in receipt of jobseeker's benefit for at least six months in order to qualify, but it is actually a minimum period of 78 days in the preceding six months. I imagine it was a misinterpretation of the intention. If I forward the particulars of the person's circumstances, the...

Seanad: Employment Support Services (1 May 2012)

David Cullinane: Five days per week in one month still adds up to 20-something days. I think it is actually three months.

Seanad: Employment Support Services (1 May 2012)

David Cullinane: I thank the Minister of State.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2012)

David Cullinane: I move amendment No. 9: In page 25, between lines 19 and 20, to insert the following: 'Green Fund' is a guaranteed and interest bearing fund to be established by the government to promote energy efficiency and create jobs;". Amendments Nos. 9 and 10 are grouped so I will speak to both of them. They provide for investment in reliable investments such as Government bonds, which is useful for...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2012)

David Cullinane: I welcome the constructive criticisms from Senators Mooney and Darragh O'Brien and note the predictable responses from Senator Harte and the Labour Party Members.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2012)

David Cullinane: It is interesting that it is the two Labour Party Senators who disagree with what has been called for by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, which is very similar to what Sinn Féin proposes. Senator Harte made the interesting point that the Government cannot currently borrow money, which is true. We cannot borrow money because investors do not have confidence in Ireland or in what the...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2012)

David Cullinane: The Labour Party must have organised in the North during the past number of months-----

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (30 Apr 2012)

David Cullinane: -----which is something I missed. The Senator's party leader said that Ireland would be back to the bond markets in less than two years.