Results 3,301-3,320 of 7,765 for speaker:Maurice Cummins

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Nov 2012)

Maurice Cummins: It is not legally possible to use the tax system to tax a very select group of people. Tax must apply generally and it cannot apply to a number of named individuals.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Nov 2012)

Maurice Cummins: I am only giving the correct response. Perhaps it is not the answer that people want to hear but that is the fact. A number of Members have asked me to invite the Minister for Finance to come here to debate the banks and pensions. Next week we will have statements on the economy which is a pre-budget debate. We have had several debates on the economy as requested by the House. The...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Nov 2012)

Maurice Cummins: Rather than allowing extra time we nearly had a replay today on the Order of Business.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Nov 2012)

Maurice Cummins: I have run out of pages in my book at this stage.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Nov 2012)

Maurice Cummins: I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, "That statements on alcohol consumption (resumed) be taken from 4.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. and that Private Members' business be taken from 5.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m." Is that agreed?

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Nov 2012)

Maurice Cummins: Senator MacSharry and others congratulated President Obama on his re-election. We all wish him well for the next four years and we hope his presidency will bring prosperity to his nation and help to bring prosperity to this country and the rest of the world. I refer to the very important issue of home help services which was raised by Senator MacSharry. The Government is committed to...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Nov 2012)

Maurice Cummins: The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on alcohol consumption (resumed), to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business and conclude not later than 5 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the contribution of each Senator not to exceed five minutes and the Minister to be called on to respond not later than 4.50 p.m.; and No. 19, Private Members' business, motion No. 10, to be...

Seanad: Address by Professor Christopher A. Pissarides: Motion (25 Oct 2012)

Maurice Cummins: I move: That Seanad Éireann agrees with the recommendation of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges that, in accordance with Standing Order 57(2) of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business, Professor Christopher A. Pissarides, School Professor of Economics and Political Science at the London School of Economics and Nobel Laureate, be invited to address Seanad Éireann on 8...

Seanad: Bahraini Medics: Motion (25 Oct 2012)

Maurice Cummins: I move: That Seanad Éireann:expresses its concerns about the decision of the Court of Cassation in Bahrain on 1 October 2012 to uphold the prison sentences on a number of Bahraini medics; welcomes the efforts made by the Tánaiste and the Government to bring the serious concerns in Ireland regarding the case of the imprisoned medics and the human rights situation generally in Bahrain to the...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Oct 2012)

Maurice Cummins: The point raised by the previous speaker was also raised by the Leader of the Opposition and I will deal with it now. I refer to the question of the ESB and the substantial profits that have been made in the first half of this year. As Members are aware, the pricing of electricity is a matter for the Commission on Energy Regulation, but I am sure it should be taking cognisance of the large...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Oct 2012)

Maurice Cummins: The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding the arrangements for the address of Professor Christopher Pissarides to Seanad Éireann on 8 November, to be taken without debate; No. 20, motion No. 10 regarding the decision of the Court of Cassation in Bahrain on 1 October 2012 to uphold the prison sentences on a number of Bahraini medics, to be taken without debate; and No. 2, statements on...

Seanad: Social Protection: Statements (Resumed) (24 Oct 2012)

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

Seanad: Social Protection: Statements (Resumed) (24 Oct 2012)

Maurice Cummins: I compliment the Minister on the many reforms she has introduced in the social welfare system over the past 18 months. Significant amounts have been taken in as a result of tackling fraud in the system and I am sure the Minister will agree there is a long road to go and more to be done in that regard. I compliment her on the JobBridge programme and she should be complimented in many other...

Seanad: Social Protection: Statements (Resumed) (24 Oct 2012)

Maurice Cummins: I compliment the Minister on the many reforms she has introduced in the social welfare system over the past 18 months. Significant amounts have been taken in as a result of tackling fraud in the system and I am sure the Minister will agree there is a long road to go and more to be done in that regard. I compliment her on the JobBridge programme and she should be complimented in many other...

Seanad: Social Protection: Statements (Resumed) (24 Oct 2012)

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

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Oct 2012)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Bacik raised the purple flag initiative and also complimented Dublin City Council on its recent initiative, which it is hoped will bear fruit next year during The Gathering. It is also hoped The Gathering will be a successful event not alone in Dublin but countrywide. Senator Hayden called for a debate on the need for an independent appeals process in respect of social protection...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Oct 2012)

Maurice Cummins: We can discuss that matter in the context of the capital programme and funding for all sports bodies.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Oct 2012)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Gilroy also made the point that funding at grassroots level for sporting organisations is of paramount importance. I am sure we are all agreed on that. Senators Mullins, Walsh and Noone raised the issue of private pension schemes, the report on which was published yesterday. The Minister, Deputy Burton, is to be complimented on commissioning the report on pensions. In addition, the...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Oct 2012)

Maurice Cummins: On the transfer of the gentleman in question, the Act provides that non-nationals serving sentences in Ireland may apply to serve the remainder of their sentences in their own countries, where those countries are party to the Council of European Convention for the Transfer of Sentenced Persons. During the period from 1995 to 2011, approximately 140 Irish citizens were transferred to Ireland...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Oct 2012)

Maurice Cummins: The acting Leader of the Opposition, Senator Thomas Byrne, raised the question of the Smithwick tribunal. We will have a debate on the matter today. Further delay in the tribunal hearings is a matter of concern but vital new information has come to hand. The Government is anxious to ensure the tribunal is facilitated in carrying out its work as fully and expeditiously as possible,...