Results 3,641-3,660 of 4,132 for speaker:Donie Cassidy

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: Senator Kelly called for a debate on tourism. I have already made a commitment to have time set aside for this debate, which will take place within a month of our return next year. Senator McDonald called for a debate on gender balance. Everyone would agree that we would love to see more ladies in public life.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: Our Christmas party at Westmeath County Council yesterday was a sad occasion as two of our three lady councillors had resigned their seats. One, Senator McFadden, had gone on to become a Member of the Seanad, while another, Councillor Murray, retired for family reasons. It goes to show that this is not an easy occupation. It may not be that attractive when the sleeves must be rolled up and...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: The Order of Business is No. 1, Social Welfare Bill 2007 — Second Stage to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business, with the contributions of spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes, those of all other Senators not to exceed eight minutes, and on which Senators may share time.

Seanad: Integration Policy: Statements (Resumed) (13 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: At 2.30 p.m. next Tuesday, 18 December.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: Senators Twomey and O'Reilly inquired about legislation for the future. The Bill in question is on Committee Stage in the Dáil. On the urgent matter of nursing homes, I will do everything possible to have this legislation before the House as soon as the Government orders so. Senators Twomey, Glynn and Norris expressed their strong concerns on suicide, alcohol and bullying. We have seen an...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: ——he has to accept that part of his family may not agree with his sentiments.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: I will pass on to the Minister the Senator's views on this and on the cost of water in schools. I have been asked to invite the Minister for Education and Science to the House as soon as possible in order that we can have a debate on education. Senators Hannigan, de Búrca and Regan expressed their views on the Lisburn reform treaty.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: I compliment the Minister on his contribution in the House yesterday on the Lisbon treaty. I was disappointed with last night's "Oireachtas Report". Yesterday we had two excellent contributions from Deputies Roche and McGuinness. I will take up with RTE the coverage this House is getting on "Oireachtas Report" and the imbalance in that regard. Yesterday the Minister spoke here on the...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: Many colleagues have made terrific efforts at ministerial and departmental level and in the Seanad and Dáil, and the viewers of Ireland would love to see——

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: ——the uplifting contributions made here yesterday and not some of the antics that arise from time to time. This is a serious House, not a House of entertainment. While it might be perceived as a more serious form of entertainment, it is not. I do not want the people of Ireland to think that. If we are going to have Seanad reform it will be serious and meaningful.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: I know the bona fides and sincerity of all the Members on that.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: Senator Glynn again called for a debate on organ donation. I already made a commitment on this and am endeavouring to arrange it. Senator Buttimer spoke on the Minister for Health and Children and the inspections were mentioned by Senators Prendergast and Corrigan. We must have the Minister for Health and Children in the House on this and I will allow time after the Christmas recess....

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: We will include it in the debate. As the father of the House, Senator Ross, knows, as do Senator O'Toole and I, who are joint second in length of time here——

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: ——and Senator Norris, no fair-minded person would look back at 1983-87 as a shining example regarding the national debt.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: On Senator Regan's call for a debate on standards in public office, we can have a debate on it but it will not be for just one party. As Christmas approaches and we think about angels and religious expressions, we will include all parties in that debate. Senator Ó Murchú spoke on the families of missing persons at Christmas and I agree with his call on anybody who has information that...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: It was a star performance and as there were so many events, meetings and committees in the House on that day I will allow time for the Minister to return early in the new year and continue yesterday's debate. Senator Coghlan spoke about the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. I shall have inquiries made for the Senator in this regard. Senator Bacik raised the matter of Government child care policy...

Seanad: Joint Committee on Economic Regulatory Affairs: Motion. (13 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: I move: (1) That a select committee, consisting of four members of Seanad Éireann, be joined with a select committee to be appointed by Dáil Éireann to form the Joint Committee on Economic Regulatory Affairs to consider:— a) the operational efficiency, value for money and the effectiveness of consultation and accountability procedures, and b) statements of strategy, annual output...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: The Order of Business is No. 1, motion establishing the Joint Committee on Economic Regulatory Affairs, to be taken without debate at the conclusion of the Order of Business; and No. 2, statements on the Government's integration policy, to be taken at the conclusion of No. 1 and to conclude no later than 1.30 p.m. if not previously concluded, with contributions of spokespersons not to exceed...

Seanad: Broadband Access: Motion (12 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: Tomorrow at 10.30 a.m.

Seanad: Small and Medium Enterprises: Statements (12 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: It is nice to see the Acting Chairman, Deputy Ann Ormonde in the Chair. I congratulate the Minister of State, Deputy John McGuinness, on his new portfolio and wish him well. I look forward to working with him over the next five years. It is great to see someone who has come with such a wealth of experience, enormous ability, and a large amount of energy. I look forward to very many...