Results 2,761-2,780 of 7,765 for speaker:Maurice Cummins

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Apr 2013)

Maurice Cummins: I firmly believe this to be another contributory factor in people's debts and which adds to the financial pressures on them.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Apr 2013)

Maurice Cummins: I agree completely that online betting should be and, not before time, the Government is introducing a Bill to address that issue.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Apr 2013)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Kelly spoke on the reform of the Seanad and I understand another Bill will be published soon in this regard and hopefully next month Members will have an opportunity of discussing it in the House. I can tell the Senator that the Government has a 15% say in the Bank of Ireland. As Senator Paul Coghlan mentioned, Bank of Ireland has paid back quite a considerable amount of the capital...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Apr 2013)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Darragh O'Brien and others have mentioned bankers' salaries, but in particular that of the Bank of Ireland's CEO. I addressed this matter yesterday and said that it was totally immoral for anybody to be on that amount of salary. The Government only has a 15% share in the Bank of Ireland. The Mercer report demanded decreases of between 6% and 10% and I hope that will happen. I hope...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Apr 2013)

Maurice Cummins: If the bank were to continue charging an unsustainably low rate for standard variable rates, it would mean that the taxpayer would have to put more capital into the bank. That is the current position. As I have said, the taxpayer has already put in over €20 billion, as Senator Darragh O'Brien well knows.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Apr 2013)

Maurice Cummins: It would not be fair for 2.1 million taxpayers to subsidise 138,000 owner-occupier mortgage holders, especially when the vast majority of them can afford to pay and are paying. The average SVR mortgage in AIB is €128,000 and the changed rate will mean an increase of €24 per month. The average SVR mortgage in the EBS is €102,000 which will mean an increase of €17...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Apr 2013)

Maurice Cummins: The Opposition should be praising the Government for taking this action.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Apr 2013)

Maurice Cummins: I do not propose to accept the amendment to the Order of Business that Senator O'Brien has proposed.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Apr 2013)

Maurice Cummins: Senator O'Keeffe referred to the helpline for the fodder crisis and complimented the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the co-ops who have worked together on this matter. As regards the debate on lifestyle and cancer, and the public consultation report, on a number of occasions I have requested the Minister for Health to address this issue in the House. I have not yet had a...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Apr 2013)

Maurice Cummins: He said they have very short memories.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Apr 2013)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Cullinane raised the issue of Waterford Crystal and the fact that the union and workers won their case. As a native of Waterford city, I welcome that decision. They won the case which was based on the seven points that were raised. It goes back to Article 8 of the 1980 EU directive, which was not properly transposed into law here. It was a failure of the Government at the time....

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Apr 2013)

Maurice Cummins: The Order of Business is Nos. 1-4, inclusive, on the Order Paper: No. 1, motion regarding the arrangements for the address to the House by Seán Kelly, MEP, on 30 April 2013, to be taken without debate on the conclusion of the Order of Business; No. 2, motion regarding the arrangements for the address to the House by Nessa Childers, MEP, on 1 May 2013, to be taken without debate on the...

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Second Stage (24 Apr 2013)

Maurice Cummins: I wish to propose an amendment to the Order of Business to the effect that a further five minutes be allocated to this debate in order to allow the Minister to conclude his contribution.

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Second Stage (24 Apr 2013)

Maurice Cummins: On Tuesday next.

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann: Motion (24 Apr 2013)

Maurice Cummins: I move: That, in accordance with Standing Order 57(2) and the decision of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, Seanad Éireann agrees that Pat the Cope Gallagher MEP shall attend and be heard in Seanad Éireann on Thursday, 25 April 2013 and that the following arrangements shall apply: the proceedings, which shall not exceed two hours, shall consist of a contribution which...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Apr 2013)

Maurice Cummins: -----than most other parties.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Apr 2013)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Quinn referred to the cost of procedures in Irish hospitals as compared to the cost which obtains in the UK.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Apr 2013)

Maurice Cummins: The matter Senator Quinn referred to is certainly worthy of debate. The fact that hospital procedures here cost 40% more than those carried out in the UK is an absolutely damning indictment. Senator Quinn also referred to Brent geese and the need for a debate on the environment. I hope the departure of the Brent geese will mean that we will see some more sunshine. Senators Paul Coghlan and...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Apr 2013)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Darragh O'Brien spoke about savings of 6% to 10% in the banks. A number of Senators raised the matter again today even though I believe I addressed it yesterday. I will not presume what the banks might do in regard to the cuts of 6% to 10% the Minister has requested. Regarding Mr. Boucher, the Government holds a 15% stake. I believe a salary of €840,000 or €900,000...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Apr 2013)

Maurice Cummins: For the banks in which the State has a majority stakeholding a cap has been introduced-----