Results 2,841-2,860 of 4,132 for speaker:Donie Cassidy

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: I will ensure that the Minister comes before the House at the earliest opportunity in order that Members may express their views and decide which party has best catered for the needs of the underprivileged since the foundation of the State.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: I will endeavour to arrange a debate on education. However, I was surprised by the comments of Senator Ross who is the representative of the financial institutions and an expert on banking. I thought he would understand that every trade mission worth its salt——

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: I did not say that.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: What I meant to say is that the Senator is an expert in banking.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: His background is entirely as an expert in financial matters. During our lifetimes, many of us have placed our trust in the Senator in that regard.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: I respect the Senator as having those qualities. On every trade mission worth its salt to China, India, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Riyadh, Toronto and various parts of America — which I visited as Chairman of an Oireachtas committee — the Taoiseach has been always accompanied by the Minister for Education and Science. Why has that been the case?

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: Senator O'Toole should allow me to give the House the benefit of my experience.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: Ireland is a young country and is admired by the world for the standard of education people here receive.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: Some 50% of the population is under 35 years of age. We have a major asset at our disposal in the context of attracting investment. Successive Ministers for Education and Science of all political hues who have represented the country on trade missions have done us a fantastic service. I have served as a Member of this House for longer than Senator O'Toole——

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: ——but not quite as long as Senator Ross. There are five glorious weeks in the difference. What one learned in those five weeks is immeasurable and the House can benefit from it. Senators Leyden, Daly, Coffey and Coghlan requested that the Minister for Transport come before the House to discuss the creation of a level playing field in respect of the proposed €10 and €2 airport...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: Senators were given an opportunity to make their contributions. I did not interrupt anyone. I am making a meaningful suggestion.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: The State is paying for the storage of these machines. I suggest that they be placed under the supervision of the Army because there would then be no cost to the State.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: A presidential election will take place in the United States of America in two weeks' time and such machines will be used there.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: Irish people require confidentiality in respect of their votes and until the technology to ensure this becomes available, the machines should be left in the care of the Army in order that there will be no cost to the State.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: Senator O'Reilly referred to non-contributory old age pensions. The number of people on such pensions is decreasing and, as the Senator correctly pointed out, most of those in this category are women who, in the 1960s, were not allowed to remain in the workforce when they got married. I will pass the Senator's strong views on to the Minister. I fully support the Senator in this regard....

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: I already covered that and agreed to have a debate on the matter.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: I have a list of legislation to be dealt with during the current session. Report Stage of the Charities Bill will be taken in the Dáil later this month and the legislation should be before the Seanad in early November. The finance Bill will be published in December. It is hoped that it will be introduced here on the final working Friday before Christmas and that Committee and Remaining...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: I understand it will be dealt with in the next session.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: It is going ahead.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2008)

Donie Cassidy: Yes.