Results 2,821-2,840 of 4,132 for speaker:Donie Cassidy

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (29 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: That is the factual position. I speak only the facts in this House.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (29 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: Senators O'Reilly, Harris and other Senators, including Senator Wilson to whom I spoke prior to the Order of Business, brought a related matter to my attention, namely, that of the funding for Church of Ireland schools. As one who was born within 100 yards of a Church of Ireland school in north Westmeath, I support that request and will discuss the matter with the Minister following the...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (29 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: We must face the fact that if there are no golden geese there will be no golden eggs. It is as simple as that. If people have a level playing field, they will be able to create employment. I salute employers for what they have done. We have turned around this country in 21 years.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (29 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: Senator Regan wished to avail of my opinion in regard to The Sunday Business Post poll and other related matters. Governments of all political parties that have presided here for the past 21 years have played a major part. However, I am proud that Fianna Fáil has been here for 18 of those 21 years. Therefore, we must——

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (29 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: ——get credit for what we have achieved.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (29 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: ——and so must the Fine Gael-led Government for the two and half years it was in office. People must acknowledge that achievements were made by all political parties——

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (29 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: ——but Fianna Fáil, having been there for 18 years, would be obviously included in any acknowledgement of those achievements. Senator MacSharry brought to my attention an urgent matter concerning the roll-out of BreastCheck in the north west region and read a statement to the House pertaining to an employee of the HSE. I will bring this urgent matter to the Minister's attention...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (29 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: Senators should remember that a Fianna Fáil-led Government was pleased to do it in good times and I welcome the fair and even-minded allocation that is coming in very difficult times. Senator O'Donovan called for an urgent debate on the Cork to Swansea ferry service. I have given my commitment on the matter and I hope it can take place in the next two weeks. He also sought an urgent debate...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: The Order of Business is No. 1, Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008 — Committee Stage (Resumed), which will be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business and will adjourn not later than 5.30 p.m. if not previously concluded; No. 23, motion 25 re the educational needs of students with disabilities, to be taken at 5.30 p.m. and to conclude not later than 7.30 p.m.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: Share the labour panel view.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Prendergast, Ormonde, Boyle, Regan, Callely, Bacik, Coghlan, Hanafin, Buttimer, Ó Murchú, Twomey, Walsh and Bradford raised various matters pertaining to the budget, the economy and the global downturn, which Senator Ó Murchú correctly pointed out to the House. I wish to inform the House that, following the request made of me in the past two days, the...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: ——and the extension of the fuel allowance period by an extra two weeks. The weekly rate is now €20 per week. A total of €56 million in supports for families with children has been allocated. In particular, the qualified child payment will increase by €2 to €26 per week. Some of us remember what the children's allowance was in the bad times and how difficult it was for our...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: ——both old and young, whom we are all proud to represent here as Members of the Upper House. It has been said in the House that we will not be debating budgetary or financial issues. We had a debate last Wednesday evening when Fianna Fáil allocated its Private Members' time, and extended it by one hour to allow colleagues express their views on the budget. Both the social welfare Bill...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: I know it may not be enough, but in these difficult times there is an increase. The capital allocation for next year will amount to €889 million, which is an increase of €79 million or almost 10% on the 2008 outturn. I will always allow Senators who have major concerns about any topic the opportunity to highlight them on the Order of Business. That is my duty and I am committed to that...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: I thought I had covered that matter.

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: The Order of Business is No.1, statements on health promotion priorities, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business, to conclude not later than 2 p.m., spokespersons to have ten minutes, all other Senators to have seven minutes, on which Senators may share time, and the Minister to be called upon ten minutes before the end of the debate for concluding comments and to take...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: Speech.

Seanad: Broadband Infrastructure Bill 2008: Second Stage (22 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: At 10.30 a.m. tomorrow.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: I want to send our best wishes to our former Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern, who suffered an accident yesterday. I was sorry to hear that and I look forward to seeing him in the House later this evening. Senators Fitzgerald, Alex White, O'Toole, Buttimer, Mary White, Norris, Regan, Feeney, Healy Eames, Hanafin, Coghlan, Ryan, Bacik, O'Reilly, Hannigan, Ross and McCarthy expressed strong...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: Regardless of whether Senators or Deputies like it, local authority members are the most well-informed public representatives of the lot. Councillors are most representative of people of all political persuasions at local level.