Results 26,421-26,440 of 26,792 for speaker:David Cullinane

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Oct 2011)

David Cullinane: That is an outrageous claim to make. It just shows that people in this House are not open to change. It is disgraceful that the second largest opposition party in the State is not being given the opportunity to put questions to the Minister for Health.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Oct 2011)

David Cullinane: Others can talk about procedures and Standing Orders, but a precedent was made when previous Ministers attended this House and Sinn Féin was given an opportunity.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Oct 2011)

David Cullinane: I am asking the question.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Oct 2011)

David Cullinane: The question is, why is the second largest Opposition party in the Oireachtas not being given an opportunity to put questions to the Minister for Health?

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Oct 2011)

David Cullinane: Members who were appointed to this House are being given the opportunity.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Oct 2011)

David Cullinane: The political parties and other Independent groups were all part of blocking Sinn Féin from asking the Minister for Health those questions, and they are hiding behind procedures.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Oct 2011)

David Cullinane: Why are the Leader and other groupings — Fianna Fáil, the Labour Party, Fine Gael and the two Independent groups — denying Sinn Féin the opportunity to put questions to the Minister for Health? They are hiding behind procedures and Standing Orders, while saying that that is the system. We can change the system, but if we do not then this House should be abolished.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Oct 2011)

David Cullinane: When the Minister for Health is here we will resist it, and will do so in the coming weeks also. We will keep resisting until the Leader acknowledges and recognises that Sinn Féin should be given speaking time.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Oct 2011)

David Cullinane: My first question relates to the imminent EU summit. It is clear that there may be potential changes to EU treaties. The Taoiseach is on record as stating that 90% of what might lie in any future deal would not require treaty changes. However, it is clear there may be some. Will any treaty changes be put to the people in a referendum? The people should decide. This is the last...

Seanad: Welfare of Greyhounds Bill 2011: Second Stage (25 Oct 2011)

David Cullinane: I am last out of the traps. I welcome the Minister of State to the House and the Bill. I would welcome any Bill which enhances and protects animal welfare. I join other speakers in acknowledging the role of the industry in the economy and in cultural life, as Senator Ó Domhnaill mentioned. My city, Waterford, has an excellent greyhound track. Many people, as previous Senators have done,...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Oct 2011)

David Cullinane: I want to join with previous Senators in passing on my condolences on the death of Garda Ciaran Jones, aged 25, from Manor Kilbride, who was killed when he was swept away while warning motorists about floods in the River Liffey in County Wicklow. We have heard many stories of bus drivers, taxi drivers and people from our emergency services who did a fantastic job last night in the face of...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Oct 2011)

David Cullinane: Okay. My final point is about the inquiries referendum. Given the corruption, cronyism and the brown envelope culture that we have seen from Fianna Fáil over the years, it is quite interesting that they would have a difficulty with investigations and inquiries.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Oct 2011)

David Cullinane: I would welcome the debate because it will show up why we needed tribunals in this country in the first place. It is because of that cronyism, that culture and the brown envelope brigade that we have had tribunals. That is why we need these powers to be given to politicians-----

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Oct 2011)

David Cullinane: -----in order that we can comprehensively deal with these issues. If the Senator has information on any bank property, he should contact the Garda.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Oct 2011)

David Cullinane: What Senator Darragh O'Brien cannot stomach is that his party is rotten to the core with the brown envelope culture, cronyism and everything that has been wrong with politics in this country for the past 30 years. Now he does not want accountability and scrutiny because he fears them.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Oct 2011)

David Cullinane: I heard the debate.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Oct 2011)

David Cullinane: I was not present for the debate yesterday on the motion put down by Fianna Fáil regarding Army barracks and the Defence Forces. However, I listened to most of the debate and to the Minister's response. It was an appalling debate, the worst that has taken place in this House since I became a Member. It was not a debate. There was no constructive analysis or comment from the Minister-----

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Oct 2011)

David Cullinane: I am making a point about the debate.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Oct 2011)

David Cullinane: I have a question for the Leader about it. The Minister's response was absolutely appalling, as was the response from the Government Members of the House. They did not address any of the issues that were put to them. It is important that the Minister return to the House to answer the questions that were put to him.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Oct 2011)

David Cullinane: Rather than attacking Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin, the Minister should have addressed the substance of the motion. When people who were in the Gallery for the debate left they were absolutely shocked by the performance of the Government parties, especially the Labour Party.