Results 2,541-2,560 of 7,765 for speaker:Maurice Cummins

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jun 2013)

Maurice Cummins: If Senator White would allow me to reply on that issue, I have never countenanced a Minister for Finance coming to the House and announcing the budget before budget day.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jun 2013)

Maurice Cummins: I do not think that will happen this year or any other year. With regard to cuts to Leader funds, the cuts regarding the company in west Cork occurred because the company had not approved sufficient projects. The money was then transferred to other approved Leader projects.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jun 2013)

Maurice Cummins: This has gone on throughout the country. Senator Keane raised the matter of the One Young World summit, which will be held in Dublin next year. We would like to compliment all the organisers on that. I will get the details on that from Senator Keane after the Order of Business. Senator Conway spoke of hospital groupings. We had a very comprehensive discussion with the Minister last week...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jun 2013)

Maurice Cummins: I cannot respond to that point of order which has left me somewhat taken aback. Senator Darragh O'Brien claimed that the Government is not putting children first in this country. In fact, the reason we had a referendum on children's rights is that this Government is determined to put children first. I was not going to comment on the Senator's suggestion as to what the Minister for Education...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jun 2013)

Maurice Cummins: The number of SNAs remains at 10,575 and the number of resource teachers allocated by the National Council for Special Education will once again be 5,265.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jun 2013)

Maurice Cummins: A further 4,685 resource teachers have been allocated by the Department, bringing the overall allocation to 9,950. This is the third year in a row in which the number of SNAs and resource teachers has been protected by the Government.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jun 2013)

Maurice Cummins: The NCSE has indicated that demand for resource teachers has risen again this year. As the number of posts available is the same as last year, it is necessary to reduce the individual allocations by a further 10% to ensure all children who require resource teacher support will be able to access it.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jun 2013)

Maurice Cummins: I am sure we will have another debate on the issue when the full details are announced. Senator Ivana Bacik reminded us that this is National Bike Week and urged us all to get on our bicycles. I compliment local authorities throughout the country on the various initiatives they have taken in this regard. The issue of forced marriages, which is the subject of a case that was before the courts...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jun 2013)

Maurice Cummins: It is proposed to take No. 1, Social Welfare and Pensions (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2013 - Committee Stage, to be taken at 11.45 a.m. and adjourned at 2.15 p.m., if not previously concluded; No. 2, Health (Amendment) Bill 2013 - Order for Second Stage and Second Stage, to be taken at 2.30 p.m. and the debate on Second Stage to be adjourned not later than 4.30 p.m., if not previously...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2013)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Conway spoke about the development of the old West Clare Railway. He also mentioned that some subcontractors are not being paid. I understand the Construction Contracts Bill 2010, which was initiated by Senator Quinn, is currently going through the other House. It was delayed for quite some time after it was passed by this House. I assure Senator Conway that it will come back to...

Seanad: New Cork Prison: Motion (18 Jun 2013)

Maurice Cummins: I move: That Seanad Éireann:noting: -- that the Minister for Justice and Equality, having considered the need for a new prison in the Cork area, has decided to proceed with the development of a prison on a portion of the site used as Cork Prison, in the townland of Rathmore and city of Cork; -- that the Minister for Justice and Equality has caused the documents specified in section 26(2)...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2013)

Maurice Cummins: It says little for the Senator's research in that regard. On the matter on which he called for a debate, the Minister for Finance dealt comprehensively with it in the debate on the Adjournment matter tabled by Senator Lorraine Higgins last week or the week before. On the matters raised by Senator John Kelly, I refer him to my earlier reply to Senator John Crown, namely, that private health...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2013)

Maurice Cummins: Senators O'Brien, Bacik and Mullins called for a debate on Syria. I will ask the Tánaiste to come to the House to update us on the current negotiations and Ireland's stance on that country. Senator O'Brien also called for a debate on the new code of conduct on mortgage arrears, which will be issued today. We will have the Central Bank (Supervision and Enforcement) Bill in the House...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2013)

Maurice Cummins: I will certainly raise with the Minister the question Senator O'Brien asked about the statement made by Deputy Howlin in this House in 2011. Senator Bacik also called for a debate on homophobia, in light of the Bill being taken in the Russian Parliament. We have had a number of debates in this House on that issue. The Bill mentioned is very disturbing, but we have had a number of debates on...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2013)

Maurice Cummins: The Senator should quote the Minister properly if he going to do so at all.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2013)

Maurice Cummins: The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding the development of Cork Prison, back from committee, to be taken without debate at the conclusion of the Order of Business; No. 2, Housing (Amendment) Bill 2013 - Second Stage, to be taken at the conclusion of No. 1 and conclude not later than 5.45 p.m., with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes and those of all...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2013: Second Stage (13 Jun 2013)

Maurice Cummins: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2013: Second Stage (13 Jun 2013)

Maurice Cummins: At 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 18 June 2013.

Seanad: Hospital Services: Statements (13 Jun 2013)

Maurice Cummins: I wish to amend the Order of Business. I propose allocating five more minutes to the Minister and to conclude at 2.40 p.m.

Seanad: Hospital Services: Statements (13 Jun 2013)

Maurice Cummins: I thank the Minister for coming in to let us have this debate. Health care reform is a difficult task, particularly in the current financial environment. The Irish people have heard promises before and have been disappointed. When elected to government we were given an mandate to radically reform our health service and put the patient at the centre of health reforms. Under the Minister's...