Results 2,561-2,580 of 4,132 for speaker:Donie Cassidy

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

Donie Cassidy: ——who go to these concerts and are uplifted. It is a major ambassador for our country and I congratulate everyone concerned. Senator Hannigan spoke about hotel prices. I am pleased to inform the Senator that not for the last five years have hotel prices been at such a low level.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

Donie Cassidy: I have obtained these prices from the Irish Hotels Federation. I must confess I have a vested interest. However, we have increased room occupancy by about 170%.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

Donie Cassidy: This is a great credit to the success of the capital allowance programme, because we now have possibly the finest hotels in Europe, with the greatest services compared with previous years. The tourist business used to be an industry that operated for five, six or seven months of the year, but now it is a year-round industry, with conferences, concerts, the attractions of golf, fishing and...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

Donie Cassidy: Yes. I can tell the Senator at first hand that the article is not true, and I challenge it.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

Donie Cassidy: Senator Keaveney spoke about party pills. The party pill Bill will be introduced in the next session. In addition, with regard to the debate on alcohol, I encourage young people and those partaking of alcohol over the Christmas season to respect it for the drug that it is. I would like to see everyone enjoying themselves and having a good time, but we should respect alcohol as it is a...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

Donie Cassidy: I am responding to Senator Norris and Senator Bacik at once. I ask Senator Norris to be patient because Senator Bacik is also a treasured Member of the Independent benches.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

Donie Cassidy: With regard to the other points raised by Senator Norris, I will get back to the Senator directly this afternoon when I find out what is the position. Senators Ó Murchú, John Paul Phelan and Buttimer made very valid proposals for celebrating the 90th anniversary of the First Dáil. Senator Ó Murchú suggested that schools, employers and community activists should all become involved in...

Seanad: Commemoration of 90th Anniversary of First Sitting of Dáil Éireann: Motion (17 Dec 2008)

Donie Cassidy: I move: That, to facilitate the Commemoration of the Ninetieth Anniversary of the First Sitting of Dáil Éireann, it is proposed that: On Tuesday, 20 January 2009, Seanad Éireann shall be enjoined with Dáil Éireann to constitute a joint sitting of both Houses of the Oireachtas and the following arrangements shall apply: (1) the joint sitting shall commence at 11 a.m. in the Round Room of...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

Donie Cassidy: The Order of Business is No. 1, motion re commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the first sitting of Dáil Éireann, to be taken without debate at the conclusion of the Order of Business; No. 2, Motor Vehicles (Duties and Licences) (No. 2) Bill 2008 — All Stages, to be taken at the conclusion of No. 1, to adjourn not later than 5 p.m. and to resume at the conclusion of No. 28, if not...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2008)

Donie Cassidy: Now.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2008)

Donie Cassidy: Now.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Motion for Earlier Signature (16 Dec 2008)

Donie Cassidy: I move: That pursuant to subsection 2° of section 2 of Article 25 of the Constitution, Seanad Éireann concurs with the Government in a request to the President to sign the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008 on a date which is earlier than the fifth day after the date on which the Bill shall have been presented to her.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Motion for Earlier Signature (16 Dec 2008)

Donie Cassidy: Ag 10.30 maidin amárach.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2008)

Donie Cassidy: This is a Second Stage speech.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2008)

Donie Cassidy: Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Alex White, Boyle, Donohoe, MacSharry, Callely, Regan, Harris, McCarthy, Coghlan, Buttimer and Ross called for an urgent debate on the banking sector to provide clarity and detailed information on the latest developments and to address their various concerns. The Minister for Finance will be in the House on Friday morning for the debate on the Finance (No. 2)...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2008)

Donie Cassidy: Last year, the authority spent €220,000 on public relations.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2008)

Donie Cassidy: It spent €100,000 on consultancy fees last year.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2008)

Donie Cassidy: As Senator O'Donovan pointed out, the ageism campaign, which was opposed by Deputy Shatter, cost €230,000. There are major savings to be made. Given our current economic difficulties, all expenditure must be absolutely essential. We must commend the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on the action he has taken in this area. Members should note that an additional €1.5 million...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2008)

Donie Cassidy: Senator Alex White offered his congratulations to Limerick County Council on its decision to assign a budget to commence work on the great southern trail. I agree with him in this regard. Senator MacSharry called for a debate on the national spatial strategy. This is an excellent proposal and I will certainly allow the necessary time as soon as possible on our return after the Christmas...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2008)

Donie Cassidy: The Senator has been most agreeable, notwithstanding his strong views. However, we must deal this week with the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill and the Finance (No. 2) Bill, two of the most important Bills to come before the Houses of Parliament every year. It is an important week in which a large volume of work must be processed by Members. Senator Callely expressed...