Results 3,681-3,700 of 4,132 for speaker:Donie Cassidy

Seanad: Fisheries Orders: Motions (11 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the following order in draft: Fisheries (Miscellaneous Commercial Licences) (Alteration of Duties) Order 2007, copies of which were laid before Seanad Éireann on 8 November 2007.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: Cathaoirleach, I would like to be associated with your kind expressions of welcome to the magnificent seven here today, who served our country with great distinction. Senator Tom Fitzgerald was Government Whip in this House when I was Leader. The Order of Business is No. 9, motion re Regional Fisheries Boards (Postponement of Elections) Order 2007; No. 10, motion re Fisheries (Miscellaneous...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: We will clarify the matter.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: This is not on. The Minister of State has been waiting 15 minutes.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: Many Members asked for an all-party motion on the difficulties of a Green Party leader in Colombia which I fully support and hope to have on the agenda for the leaders' meeting next Tuesday. I welcome the budget, of which 29% is being spent on health and 31% on social welfare, making 60% on the two areas, on behalf of the underprivileged, senior citizens and those on the margins. For a...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: Senator Alex White's party was part of that Government. Fine Gael was not alone. I recall Minister Blythe——

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: That is where we start from. If one does not know where one comes from one will certainly not know where one is going. That is why the Opposition has been there for 20 years. It is 25 years since Fine Gael had a mandate, of its five leaders in that time, only one got a mandate. We will never forget Garret FitzGerald, between 1983 and 1987.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: Fair comment must be accepted and I will always accede to it but the facts speak for themselves.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: If the new young Opposition leaders are factual and constructive they will be pushing an open door with me. Many Senators called for a debate on housing which would be worthwhile. There will be a major housing initiative in February and we will invite the Minister of State with responsibility for this area, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, to the House. I thank Senator McFadden for raising the issue...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: The budget sought to invest for the future, promote the environment, protect the vulnerable, foster innovation and enterprise and reward work.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: This is what parts 1 and 2 of the Celtic tiger achieved in the past ten years and long may it continue. Yesterday's budget was an honest attempt to address the difficult areas of housing the Senator has correctly highlighted to the House. Some houses were overpriced, the market had to level and the Government could not get involved, so this could be the right time to do the right thing, as...

Seanad: Asset Recovery Offices: Motion (6 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion provided by Article 1.11 of the Treaty of Amsterdam to take part in the adoption of the following proposed measure: a proposal for a Council Decision concerning co-operation between Asset Recovery Offices of the Member States in the field of tracing and identification of proceeds from, or other...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: The Order of Business is No. 1, motion re Asset Recovery Offices, back from committee, to be taken without debate on the conclusion of the Order of Business; No. 2, statements on the merits of farmers' markets, to be taken on the conclusion of No. 1, to conclude not later than 1.30 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the contributions of spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes, those of...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: Senator Fitzgerald and 14 others made a strong point about drug abuse. I take their common sense proposals for meeting the challenge seriously. The Government appointed Deputy Carey as Minister of State with special responsibility for this area. Drug abuse is increasing at an alarming rate. We send our condolences to the family of the young man who died in Waterford. Various tragedies...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: Some Senators, led by Senator O'Toole, expressed strong views on the long detention of the Green Oxygen Party leader in Colombia and we join them in their call. I will not hesitate to seek agreement among the leaders on this matter to see how this worthwhile proposal can be progressed as an act of humanity is sought. Senators Alex White, Norris and Ormonde called for a debate on immigration...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: It is the responsibility of positive thinking Senators such as Senator Coghlan, who have survived in this House for a long time, to see that good news comes first.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: Members can be assured that this afternoon the caring Minister for Finance will look after senior citizens, as Fianna Fáil always has done through the years.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: We never took 20% or 25% from senior citizens on budget day as that would have been against all we stood for. I will pass Senator Norris's views on fire safety on to the Minister. Senator Leyden mentioned this morning's "The Tubridy Show" and I take on board his views. It is an entertainment show and the two individuals involved are star performers. There is a major difference between a...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: In the words of the former Senator Paudge Brennan, it is never the wrong time to do or say the right thing, so I await Senators' proposals in that regard. Senator Quinn referred to international food policy and expressed strong views on the EU's policy on set-aside schemes. The Minister can come to the House on this matter and I intend to propose to the CPP that we invite Commissioner...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Dec 2007)

Donie Cassidy: This matter is regrettable as Abbott has made an immeasurable contribution to Ireland. Thousands of people in this country are still employed by Abbott and will remain so as the company has been in this country for more than 60 years. Galway is a university city with its own airport and a substantial pool of expertise. This matter concerns Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and its chief...