Results 26,261-26,280 of 26,685 for speaker:David Cullinane

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (16 Nov 2011)

David Cullinane: We called for a debate on what is happening in the Assembly in the North. Senators should not just snipe at what is happening up there because the Labour Party and Fine Gael showed little or no interest in the citizens of the North for many years.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (16 Nov 2011)

David Cullinane: The outrage we are now getting from those same parties about what is happening in the North is just false outrage. It would be beneficial if the Leader were open to allowing for proper debate in the House on the powers and functions of the Assembly. I will deal with that in the context of my speech.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (16 Nov 2011)

David Cullinane: I try, but when I am being harassed by the Government side-----

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (16 Nov 2011)

David Cullinane: The Acting Chairman would be good at that himself.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (16 Nov 2011)

David Cullinane: Let me deal with the issue at hand. My party favours moves that will further environmental protection. We believe it is vital to have a comprehensive mode of inspection and oversight in this area. We take a rights-based approach to the environment. Having a clean environment is a right that must be upheld to achieve a better quality of life. Clearly, considering the damage a faulty...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (16 Nov 2011)

David Cullinane: The bottom line is that if Government representatives want to grab hold of the Sinn Féin pre-budgetary submission - I will ensure they all receive a copy - they will see that there are many alternatives that could be considered to tackle wealth in this country-----

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (16 Nov 2011)

David Cullinane: -----to ensure that high earners pay their fair share, especially those in the political system and at the top of the public service, who walked away with lottery prize-sized payments in recent times. Many of the proposals we are making would allow the Government to raise revenue without having to penalise again working people in rural areas. We can have inspections through the local...

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (16 Nov 2011)

David Cullinane: The Government should implement Sinn Féin's alternatives because this is why they were proposed.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2011)

David Cullinane: It is interesting that, any time the Government representatives are confronted with facts, they are just unable to accept them. Before the election, they lied consistently on a number of issues. I can give a number of examples. They lied in respect of bondholders and stated aggressive burden sharing would be imposed. The Government, and Fine Gael in its manifesto, made it very clear...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2011)

David Cullinane: I ask the Senator to give me an example of where I have lied and to put it on the record.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2011)

David Cullinane: I am giving the Senator examples. She is becoming very good at interrupting.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2011)

David Cullinane: The Senator should make some positive contributions of her own rather than heckling people on this side of the House.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2011)

David Cullinane: She seems to be very good at it.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2011)

David Cullinane: I wish to move an amendment to the Order of Business. I suggested yesterday that we have a full discussion in the House on the upcoming budget. All parties are making pre-budget submissions. We can offer alternatives to the Government and we have done in our pre-budget submission. We point out where money can be raised and saved such that we will not have to raise third level fees for...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2011)

David Cullinane: I propose that the Minister for Finance be invited to the House, before rather than after the budget, to have a full and proper discussion with all Senators on all the pre-budgetary alternatives and the proposals they seek to make. Coming in after the budget is not good enough; we need a debate before it.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2011)

David Cullinane: The Senator might support my amendment in that case.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2011)

David Cullinane: The question was not answered yesterday. It would be helpful if we got an answer.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2011)

David Cullinane: Is it not part of the Deputy's country as well?

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2011)

David Cullinane: It was the Fine Gael economist, Mr. Jim Power.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2011)

David Cullinane: I wish to raise two issues with the Leader. First, there is a need for a debate on accountability in Government and I ask that the Leader would provide space to have that discussion in the course of the coming weeks. People are rightly outraged at news of the outrageous pension payments which have been made to senior civil servants and politicians in recent years.