Results 3,021-3,040 of 7,765 for speaker:Maurice Cummins

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Feb 2013)

Maurice Cummins: The Leader of the Opposition, Senator Darragh O'Brien, asked whether the Minister, Deputy Shatter, will be here for the debate on the Defence Forces (Second World War Amnesty and Immunity) Bill 2012 and for Private Members' business. I am assured that the Minister will be here from 4.30 p.m. until 8 p.m.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Feb 2013)

Maurice Cummins: I hope that satisfies Senator O'Brien and his colleagues on the other side of the House.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Feb 2013)

Maurice Cummins: Senator O'Brien also asked for clarification about exceptional needs payments. As I have explained previously, such payments are made when essential, once-off, exceptional and unforeseen expenditure, which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet from his or her weekly income, arises. There is no automatic entitlement to a payment. The Government has provided almost ¤48 million...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Feb 2013)

Maurice Cummins: The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on the private rented sector, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business and to conclude no later than 1.45 p.m., with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes and of all other Senators not to exceed five minutes, with the Minister being called upon to reply no later than 1.35 p.m.; a sos will be taken between...

Seanad: Order of Business: Motion (5 Feb 2013)

Maurice Cummins: Ar 10.30 a.m. maidin amárach.

Seanad: Order of Business: Motion (5 Feb 2013)

Maurice Cummins: I commend Senators David Norris, Feargal Quinn and Sean D. Barrett for tabling the motion, with which I fully agree. This House has been demeaned by Members raising an item on the Order of Business only to run out of the Chamber immediately to attend a committee meeting. That happens in the case of quite a number of Members, some of whom are courteous enough to apologise to me that they...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions) Bill 2012: Report Stage (5 Feb 2013)

Maurice Cummins: I propose an amendment to the Order of the Business that we conclude Report Stage at 5 p.m. because we started 20 minutes late.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions) Bill 2012: Report Stage (5 Feb 2013)

Maurice Cummins: Now.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Feb 2013)

Maurice Cummins: I mentioned "the other House".

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Feb 2013)

Maurice Cummins: I mentioned "this House" and "the other House".

Seanad: Planning and Development (Planning Enforcement) General Policy Directive 2013: Motion (5 Feb 2013)

Maurice Cummins: I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the following Regulations in draft:Planning and Development (Planning Enforcement) General Policy Directive 2013,copies of which have been laid in draft form before Seanad Éireann on 11th January 2013.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Feb 2013)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Sean D. Barrett made important points about teacher training. I noted the points made and will bring them to the attention of the Minister. Senator David Cullinane raised the importance of the food sector to the economy and our strong regulation and traceability standards. It was because of our strong regulation and traceability standards that we discovered the problem of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Feb 2013)

Maurice Cummins: It is going on since Adam was a boy and probably will continue to go on.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Feb 2013)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Burke referred to the storage of Guthrie cards in Temple Street Hospital and the necessity of retaining this information. This was also raised by Senator Crown and others previously. I will find out the position in this regard. Senators O'Donovan, Moloney and several others raised the issue of the crisis in the beef industry. The investigation is focusing on the food supply chain,...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Feb 2013)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Darragh O'Brien raised the question of exceptional needs payments. I am surprised such payments have been withdrawn for first holy communion, confirmation and other religious ceremonies. It is a matter I will raise with the Minister. In regard to the directive from the Department of Justice and Equality to the Courts Service on burglaries, I will certainly raise the matter with the...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Feb 2013)

Maurice Cummins: The Order of Business is No. 1, motion re Planning and Development (Planning Enforcement) General Policy Directive 2013, to be taken without debate at the conclusion of the Order of Business; No. 2, Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions) Bill 2012 - Report Stage, to be taken at 3.45 p.m. and conclude not later than 4.45 p.m.; and No. 35, motion No. 2 re Order of Business, to be taken at the...

Seanad: Resignation of Member (5 Feb 2013)

Maurice Cummins: I wish to join in the tributes to Senator McAleese. It is regrettable that he has had to stand down. Due to his long and hard workload outside of the Seanad he was not able to spend as much time with us as he would have liked. He was not a regular speaker here but he made some valuable contributions. I also compliment him on his work behind the scenes in bringing communities from all...

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2013)

Maurice Cummins: Senator O'Brien mentioned the question of the communion allowance and, as has been pointed out by Senator Kelly, who was a community welfare officer himself, the payment was never a grant per se. People who found themselves in dire need could apply to the local community welfare officer for assistance with clothing costs and so forth and can still do so. Government funding has been...

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2013)

Maurice Cummins: I hope the solidarity that was shown yesterday will continue and that the perpetrators of this dire act will be brought to justice as soon as possible and will, on conviction, serve the appropriate sentence of 40 years. Senator Moran also mentioned the funeral of Detective Garda Donohoe yesterday and we would all salute the courage and dignity of the Donohoe family and, indeed, the strength...

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2013)

Maurice Cummins: I firmly agree that this House should take precedence and that the Order of Business, in particular, should take precedence. If committee schedules have to be changed, then so be it. Senator Keane also spoke about the sale of the national lottery and Coillte, on which I have already commented. Senator Cullinane called for a debate on rural Ireland and I am sure that will form part of the...