Results 3,681-3,700 of 7,765 for speaker:Maurice Cummins

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jun 2012)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Darragh O'Brien raised the question of Aer Lingus. The Cabinet has not had an opportunity to discuss that matter yet, which the Leader of the Opposition will appreciate given the announcement in regard to Ryanair was only made yesterday. I am sure that when the Cabinet has considered the matter, it will outline its position on it. With regard to the Minister for the Environment,...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jun 2012)

Maurice Cummins: With regard to the constitutional convention and Seanad reform, I do not propose to pick motion No. 9 before No. 1. I consider it unrealistic to expect that this can be discussed today at such short notice. The Government has made its position on the Seanad abundantly clear and I have mentioned on several occasions in the House that a referendum will be held next year on the subject.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jun 2012)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Bacik referred to patronage in schools. The Minister has stated this will take some time. We had a debate in the House recently on patronage and pluralism in schools. Senator van Turnhout raised the question of the report of the child death review group and that matter was taken up by Senators Hayden, Mullen, Walsh, Ó Clochartaigh, O'Keeffe and others. The report was established...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jun 2012)

Maurice Cummins: He also negotiated the question of discards, which has been addressed for many years and which is a matter of contention for many fishermen throughout the length and breath of the country.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jun 2012)

Maurice Cummins: The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine is one of the best Ministers for fisheries we ever had in this country. He has negotiated and will continue to negotiate for fishermen throughout the length and breadth of this country.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jun 2012)

Maurice Cummins: Senator Mullins welcomed the new website launched by the Minister, Deputy Bruton, to cut the costs of business and to eliminate red tape. I will certainly ask the Minister to arrange that his officials make a presentation on this matter in the AV room at a later stage. Senator Mooney noted the retirement of the honorary consul in the Channel Islands. We would all wish Ms O'Neill a very...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jun 2012)

Maurice Cummins: Senators Paul Coghlan and Marc MacSharry referred to the constitutional convention, which I have addressed. Senator Higgins called for an inspectorate for water quality. I will raise that matter with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. Senator Brennan mentioned that athletes from 15 countries are coming here to prepare for the Olympics and the Paralympics. The...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jun 2012)

Maurice Cummins: If Senator Leyden was listening to the Order of Business last week, he would have heard me inviting each and every Member to attend that committee. They had an opportunity to do so. If Senator Leyden cannot hear what I am saying, I cannot legislate for that.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jun 2012)

Maurice Cummins: We had wonderful contributions from ten different organisations on how lifestyle changes can help to prevent cancer. It is a subject which is of importance to each and every family in the country. We hope that report can be finalised and presented to the Minister with strong recommendations. One man mentioned that, on average, 14-year-olds are now three stone heavier than their...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jun 2012)

Maurice Cummins: That is not a point of order at all.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jun 2012)

Maurice Cummins: It is proposed to take No. 1, motion re the renewal of certain provisions of the Offences against the State (Amendment) Act to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business and to conclude within 45 minutes, with the contributions of spokespersons not to exceed five minutes each and the Minister to be given five minutes to reply; No. 2, motion re the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jun 2012)

Maurice Cummins: The Order of Business is No. 1, motion re arrangements for the sitting of the House on Tuesday, 19 June 2012, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business without debate; No. 2, Competition (Amendment) Bill 2011 - Report and Final Stages, to be taken at the conclusion of No. 1 and to conclude not later than 1 p.m.; No. 3, statements on the Euroscience Open Forum 2012, to be taken at...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jun 2012)

Maurice Cummins: Senator O'Brien, the Leader of the Opposition, spoke about the programme for Government. I assure the Senator that the programme for Government stands and the Labour Party is part of the Government. The Government is stable.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jun 2012)

Maurice Cummins: With regard to the request for the amendment to the Order of Business, the relevant Minister will take the matter as he is here for the Competition (Amendment) Bill after the Order of Business. The Lagan Brick issue is with the Labour Relations Commission and there is probably not much for the Minister to add. He will speak on the matter for a maximum of 20 minutes. The time will be provided.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jun 2012)

Maurice Cummins: Senator O'Keeffe, along with Senators Norris, Conway, Mooney and Comiskey, spoke about the Cregg House issue. Everybody complimented the devotion and professionalism of the staff in Cregg House and there is clearly a problem with the deficit there. I will take up the matter with the Minister for Health and perhaps an Adjournment matter could be raised as well. Senator Comiskey has stated...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jun 2012)

Maurice Cummins: The public consultation committee will sit from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. next Tuesday, with business after that. The Order of Business for that day would only contain the Criminal Justice (Search Warrants) Bill 2012, and it is not necessary to have an Order of Business.

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jun 2012)

Maurice Cummins: A number of Senators correctly raised the situation in Syria. Approximately eight Senators also raised the matter on Tuesday, and there is much repetition in that regard. I replied comprehensively on the Syria matter, expressing the Government's absolute horror and revulsion about the recent events there. I will try to arrange a debate on the matter with the Tánaiste and Minister for...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jun 2012)

Maurice Cummins: The Senators can try to do so. Senator Burke called for a debate on health care and absenteeism. Senator White outlined the position on the Women's Aid statistics report, and it is frightening to hear that 13,000 cases of abuse were registered last year. She quite rightly highlights the domestic abuse taking place in the country and perhaps we can arrange a debate around that subject in...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jun 2012)

Maurice Cummins: I replied to it when I replied to Senators David Cullinane and Mary Moran on the matter of special needs and disability services.

Seanad: Sitting Arrangements: Motion (14 Jun 2012)

Maurice Cummins: I move: (1)That, notwithstanding anything in the Standing Orders relative to Public Business, on Tuesday, 19th June, 2012 the Seanad shall meet at 4.45 p.m. and the following arrangements shall apply: (a) there shall be no Order of Business; (b) the business to be taken shall be confined to the second stage debate of the Criminal Justice (Search Warrants) Bill 2012 which shall conclude no...