Results 3,761-3,780 of 4,132 for speaker:Donie Cassidy

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Nov 2007)

Donie Cassidy: Senators Twomey, O'Toole, John Paul Phelan and Ormonde made important points. Anyone who knows anything about the housing market knows of the downturn in the US and the UK, our two largest markets. In contrast with stronger states, Ireland can be looked upon as an exemplary nation where 85% of the housing stock is owned by 85% of the population. Generation after generation, what we have...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Nov 2007)

Donie Cassidy: The Senator is around long enough to remember.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Nov 2007)

Donie Cassidy: Those events were not of our doing. For example, the oil crisis was a considerable challenge. I ask Senators to be patient. When levelling off is necessary, Senators should be honourable and honest enough to acknowledge it as a good thing. I respect Senator Twomey, who I have known for a long time. I am not being patronising. Yesterday, I pointed out that the House's membership includes...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Nov 2007)

Donie Cassidy: ——wanted to find out how his family tree in Fianna Fáil was being addressed. His concern for our welfare is heartening. I welcome the Taoiseach's clarification of the situation last night. He intends to lead another five-year Government for most of its duration. I do not know whether Senator O'Toole intends to try for the Presidency, but the Taoiseach would be a formidable opponent....

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Nov 2007)

Donie Cassidy: The leader of the Opposition party should confer with its ranks to make a nomination from its benches. I will see what I can do about the serious matter of Dublin City University's lack of access, which is a disgraceful surprise.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Nov 2007)

Donie Cassidy: I congratulate Senator Daly on bringing it to our attention. I will contact the office of the Minister for Education and Science today to determine why this is the case. Senators will bring the matter to her attention when she is present tomorrow. We will try to get clarification on the up-to-date situation. Senator Hannigan mentioned the National Roads Authority, the Road Safety Authority...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Nov 2007)

Donie Cassidy: Senator Leyden, a member of the committee, made a valuable contribution, as did other Members of the Dáil and Seanad. We brought about huge changes and saved the consumer in a very big way. I would like to think that in the Seanad's five-year term we will take up the issue of energy supply. We will have a report and a review of the progress taking place in energy costs, whether it is...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Nov 2007)

Donie Cassidy: The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on the challenges and opportunities to the Irish labour market in a globalised economy, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business and to conclude not later than 2 p.m. if not previously concluded; business will be interrupted from 2 p.m. to 3.30 p.m.; No. 2, statements on the Cawley report, to conclude not later than 5 p.m. if not...

Seanad: Cancer Services: Statements (20 Nov 2007)

Donie Cassidy: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Cancer Services: Statements (20 Nov 2007)

Donie Cassidy: Members are concerned about the position in which pharmacists find themselves. They claim there have been no negotiations or consultations over the proposed pharmacy legislation. We are concerned in particular for the 400 family-run pharmacists. Would the Minister consider bringing together the two sides?

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Nov 2007)

Donie Cassidy: I join Senator Norris in saying how nice it is to see Mr. John A. Murphy here, a distinguished former Member. It is perhaps inappropriate but it is a special occasion when a senior, respected figure who made an immense contribution as a Senator visits the House. I congratulate the Superintendent, the Captain of the Guard and all others associated with Friday and Saturday's historic European...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Nov 2007)

Donie Cassidy: ——because as far I understand we will be here on 20 and 21 December and even on Saturday 22 December if needs be.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Nov 2007)

Donie Cassidy: Senator Fitzgerald can rest assured about that. I disagree, however, with her comparison of someone being removed from a television show with that of someone taking cocaine; there is a huge difference. I have said before and I will say it again, cocaine is the biggest challenge our society faces. I have heard unbelievable stories about——

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Nov 2007)

Donie Cassidy: ——what is happening in our country. It is serious matter that no one appears to fear the law any longer. Senator Regan is a distinguished Member and is making his mark, albeit not in a direction I wish to see, as he should put his talents to more positive uses. However, I wish to hear his views, as well as those of Senator O'Donovan and others in the legal profession, on how Members...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Nov 2007)

Donie Cassidy: Senator Norris would be aware of this, given the strong shock absorbers on his car. Since 1987 this has been the instrument that has produced the economy we enjoy today. I refer to the social partners getting together. Senator O'Toole's request must be taken very seriously. In particular, I refer to the attention given by the media to 5% of the allocations awarded and the 95% about which...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Nov 2007)

Donie Cassidy: ——only gets 50% of another salary.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Nov 2007)

Donie Cassidy: While I have no objection to fair debate and the truth of the news, this is not coming through. As someone who has been self-employed for most of my life, anyone who can tell me that a Taoiseach who has presided over the creation of 600,000 jobs in ten years is not entitled to a decent wage or pension when he finishes, is not in the real world and we are going nowhere.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Nov 2007)

Donie Cassidy: I have seen many publications in the print media many times and if the truth of the news is not getting down to the people — all Members know what happened on general election day — the people will speak. They will not purchase such magazines or such untruthful issues that one hears of or sees from time to time. Senators O'Toole, Ó Murchú, Daly, Norris, O'Reilly and Fitzgerald all...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Nov 2007)

Donie Cassidy: Senators Regan and O'Donovan are the two legal Senators and I compliment them on their views from time to time. Under no circumstances will the Mahon tribunal be interfered with. No fair-minded public representative in the Dáil or Seanad could let this happen. It was never envisaged that this would be the case. However, as Senator O'Donovan said today, while nothing can be retrospective,...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Nov 2007)

Donie Cassidy: I almost forgot Senator Glynn's request. I do not know how this has passed me by. It came after the pharmacies issue. I apologise to the Senator. The taxis have given a wonderful service. I also heard that dreadful programme of which Senator Glynn spoke, that shocking horror story in which a customer in a taxi was threatened if she did not pay the rate demanded. I agree with Senator...